Article: Inside & Out
ProLumber - A Cut Above
There’s a certain idealism to it all, I think,” ponders Camden Andrews, before shrugging his shoulders and smiling, “I guess I’m just really, really passionate about it!” You wouldn’t guess it, but he’s talking about wood, specifically the reclaimed variety, currently being given a new lease of life by his company, ProLumber and being reincarnated as gorgeous, characterful, and eminently desirable wooden products for all sorts of uses.
Although passionate about the history, romance, and sustainability of native timbers, for Camden, the possibilities beyond that are similarly endless: “You know each piece of wood has its own unique look and feel– it’s really cool! I love what I do, and all the possibilities out there… if you spend time and are passionate you can do some really interesting, unexpected things… and all with timber!”
Located at 2, Te Waiiti Place in Whangarei: ProLumber is buzzing:
A Bit Of History
It the time when Camden bought ProLumber just over a year ago, it operated as a small, locally run company, which focussed solely on milling and cutting timber products like posts, sleepers, and off-cuts for signage.
Camden explains; ”It was a traditional milling operation which fell and cut locally for small private plantings or problem trees and the timber was generally kept by the client rather than on-sold.” Although the business was functioning effectively, it needed a business structure that allowed ProLumber to place itself in a stronger, more competitive position allowing growth and a wider marketing appeal.
About The Presence
Well, Camden has certainly turned things around. Since taking over in 2010 he has expanded it into a mobile milling operation that creates timber products and architectural features out of recycled native hardwoods and other NZ grown timbers sourced from across Northland and New Zealand. ProLumber has established itself as a quality supplier of premium selected New Zealand native and NZ grown timbers. Species such as macrocarpa, eucalypt and recycled natives are processed into a range of landscaping and building products. These comprise of outdoor decking, flooring, panelling and T, G and V-sarking, as well as other architectural timber features like exposed rafters, beams and posts.
Sustainable And Chemical Free
Northland with its subtropical climate presents a wider scope for the materials used by ProLumber’s large variety of products. “New Zealand in particular northland coastal areas are rich with some incredible varieties of native trees, and the timber is so enduring even under the most extreme conditions. I have salvaged old Puriri logs from creek beds and worked with unearthed ancient kauri. The process of recycling native timbers, I experience as a work of art. With increasingly more people looking to integrate the natural look of New Zealand grown timber into their homes, quality timbers are in high demand. Especially consistency is paramount in flooring and interior features and in landscape designs, “says Camden. “ All of our timber products are 100% natural, so there are no harmful toxins or carcinogenic present in anything we sell, and this gives parents a lot of reassurance knowing that their kids can crawl around on their new decking.” The chemical free aspect of ProLumber’s timber has opened a new market for children’s natural wood furniture and materials for toys and playgrounds.
Past Present And Future
ProLumber also recycles hardwood timber from old buildings. “The most sought after native flooring is rimu and discovering old rimu, kauri, and other native timbers in a building that is destined for demolition is exciting. Knowing that this beautiful timber that has seen so much use gets a second lease on life makes this labour intensive job very rewarding,” says Camden.
ProLumber, under the passionate and dedicated management of Camden Andrews, is most definitely on the move; quite literally, since the companies’ point of difference is the fact that it is mobile. From landscaping timbers to decking, flooring, and timber building products, ProLumber caters to architects, builders, landscapers, boat, and homeowners offering a mobile one-stop-shop service par none.
