Perspectives :: Rob McClelland

For someone who by his own admission 'just fell into the business', forest contractor Rob McClelland has built a well-respected and strongly-performing company in a relatively short time.

Having eased in to the business while studying at University, Rob quickly abandoned his studies to form his own company when major land managers took the decision to 'contract-out' some services.

His plantation-based company has seized the opportunities provided by the popularity of Management Investment Schemes and specializes in plantation establishment and associated services.

New technologies such as GPS and GIS mapping are an important part of the professional edge his company offers.

"We employ ninety people now and cant really see the demand for our services dropping away in the near future. Plantations that are being harvested now will be going into their second rotation soon."

As in any industry, Rob sees that offering a quality service and a level of professionalism that perhaps some others cant match, will be the key to his ongoing success.

"The future looks bright with technology helping the development of new value-adding opportunities from plantation wood. Plantations will continue to be valued and their establishment on marginal farmland, I hope will be seen to be a good thing into the future.

Stopping conversion of native forest to plantation was a good thing-we dont need to do that."

For further information on the New Forest Industry's Perspectives series visit http://www.newforestindustry.com

Category:

Education

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• new forest industry
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• plantations
• tasmania
• rob mcclelland