Australian timber is a precious resource, which is why Big River is committed to extracting the maximum yield from every locally grown hardwood log that passes through its Grafton manufacturing facility.

From bridge decks, supports and heavy duty through to decorative wall and ceiling linings, Big River’s operations are a masterclass in minimising waste and creating high-value bespoke and niche products that customers struggle to source from anywhere else.

It’s a way of working that has served the company well.

Established over a century ago as a family-owned sawmill, Big River has expanded to become one of Australia’s foremost suppliers to the construction sector. Its customer base spans the commercial, residential, civil and infrastructure segments.

The company manufactures around 20 per cent of the stock it sells. The balance of its range is sourced from both local and offshore suppliers.

Growth has accelerated since the business went public in 2017, following a private equity buy-out the previous year.

Today, it employs over 600 people across its Australian and New Zealand manufacturing and distribution sites, building trade centres and corporate offices.

Some employees have been part of the for close to 40 years and their collective knowledge and expertise is an extraordinary asset.

“Over the decades, our people have worked through so many different projects,” Big River CEO John Lorente says. “That means that when someone comes and says, ‘I’ve got this problem, can you come up with a solution?’, we’ve got the expertise.

“Because we’re a relationship business. Yes, we make products, but it’s about our people. It’s about the relationship with our customers and our suppliers and how that all comes together.”

April 2024 saw the completion of a $22 million upgrade of the Grafton facility, which included the installation of a new rotary log peeler and dryer, plus automated cutting, grading, finishing and stacking machinery.

That’s increased efficiency and output and created a safer working environment.

“Logs weigh hundreds of kilos and our investment in automation means you don’t have to go anywhere near them,” John says. “They’re picked up by a forklift, put on a conveyor belt and they come out the other side.

“And the rotary peeler allows us to utilise every part of the log, from the bark right down to within 50mm of the core. There’s less sawdust and less waste and we’re able to use every bit of that veneer to create the class-leading products our customers depend on to deliver their projects.”

NAB Senior Agribusiness Manager George Hardy says Big River’s decision to specialise in products others can’t provide has helped the business stay relevant and competitive through changing times.

And their unwavering commitment to their people and community has cemented that success, he adds.

“They’re part of the fabric of the Grafton community and a pillar of the Australian construction sector,” he says. “Understanding the intricacies of their operations has enabled NAB to support them as they’ve evolved.”