WOOD-MIZER: WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN SAWMILLING? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
Colin Goldsmith: I bought a bush property in 1996 and decided to utilize trees to construct buildings on site. I purchased a 1997 Wood-Mizer LT40 Super Hydraulic sawmill to do this and then quickly started contract milling for friends and then for customers statewide. I purchased a closed down sawmill in 2002, removed all the old circular equipment and installed all Wood-Mizer machines.
WOOD-MIZER: WHAT WOOD-MIZER EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE IN YOUR SAWMILL BUSINESS TODAY AND WHAT DOES IT ALLOW YOU TO DO?
Colin: Current machines used on our production facility are the LT40 Super sawmill, LT70HDE25 Remote sawmill, EG400 edger, HR300 resaw, HR1000 6-head resaw, WM1000 sawmill, MP360 planer/moulder, and a SlabMizer slab flattener. We mostly produce green off saw timber for a large range of customers using a wide variety of products from 500mm by 500mm posts down to 38mm by 12mm slats used in greenhouse construction. The smaller side of our business is production of bespoke timbers for furniture, hence the MP360 and the SlabMizer.
WOOD-MIZER: WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WOOD-MIZER DEALER IN AUSTRALIA?
Colin: I was one of the customers of the previous Wood-Mizer agent who approached me to be a sub agent to him. I operated in this capacity for several years then when he decided to retire, Wood-Mizer offered me the opportunity to take on the business.
WOOD-MIZER: AS A SAWMILL OWNER YOURSELF, WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD HAVE FOR A SAWMILL OWNER OR BUSINESS JUST STARTING OUT?
Colin: When I considered purchasing a sawmill, I asked a friend who had mobile sawmills what his advice would be as to what I should purchase. He said “Do not make all the mistakes I have made with sawmill purchases. If you want to buy a mill buy a Wood-Mizer.” So my advice is, and has always been, buy the best machine you can and do not concentrate on the cost.
WOOD-MIZER: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL CURRENT OR POTENTIAL WOOD-MIZER CUSTOMERS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT FROM YOU?
Colin: Our Wood-Mizer Dealership in Australia is a very customer focused business. We aim to provide equipment which will help you achieve your aims and then follow up with ongoing advice to assist with any problems and to stock and promptly supply all parts and sawmill blades. Our number one focus is on serving our existing customers and to assist in making their business as profitable as possible.
