CHH Adopts New Grading for Laserframe

CHH Adopts New Grading for Laserframe

Auckland - Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) announced today it is re-specifying its Laserframe timber to meet the widely accepted New Zealand F5 quality grade from next Monday (24 November, 2003.)

"This decision follows CHH's comprehensive internal review and its participation in an Australasian industry study of grading standards over the last 12 months that is still in progress. These have shown that it is appropriate to change the grade specifications of the Laserframe product because changes in forestry management practice have made it more difficult for manufacturers to consistently meet the MGP10 grade in recent years," says Devon McLean Chief Operating Officer Carter Holt Harvey.

"At its launch in 1992, the original MGP10 grading was associated with the harvesting of older, more mature timber and it was always recognised that this would eventually have to be reviewed as processing methods and the available forestry resource changed within the industry over time. While it has taken Carter Holt Harvey some time to work through this complex situation, we now believe we have developed a positive and practical solution", says Devon McLean.

The company has appointed international agency Bureau Veritas to independently audit the Quality Assurance program for Laserframe.

F5 is an industry recognised grade, that has a long history of specification in the New Zealand building industry. The Commerce Commission is currently investigating the product description of Laserframe as MGP10. Carter Holt Harvey is co-operating with the Commission's enquiries.

"Carter Holt Harvey is confident that the grading changes it has made following its analysis have addressed any product description concerns," says Devon McLean. More information is available on our web site (http://www.chh.co.nz/laserframeupdate) or from our information line (0800 424 496).

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