The heritage of the Porta brand has been built on the manufacture and supply of hardwood products.
We have scoured the globe to find the best suppliers of raw materials and finished goods and have developed long-term supply arrangements based on mutual respect and benefit.
The timber industry plays a vital role in the Australian economy, providing employment opportunities for thousands of people and contributing to the country's GDP. However, like many industries, it is not immune to security issues, particularly when it comes to the timber supply chain. We explore the challenges facing the timber supply chain in Australia and the measures taken to ensure its security.
Australia's timber supply chain is complex, involving a variety of factors, including forest owners, harvesters, sawmills, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The involvement of so many different stakeholders can make it difficult to ensure that the timber being produced and sold is legal and sustainable. It is of particular concern that illegal logging occurs when timber is harvested in violation of national and international laws. It can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and human rights issues.
However, Porta ensures that the procurement of their timber is legal and sustainable by ensuring our timber and harvesting is thoroughly checked and accredited by trusted independent accreditation and verification certification services.
Australian Timber Supply
One of the biggest challenges facing the timber supply chain in Australia is the lack of transparency. With so many different considerations involved, it can be difficult to trace the origin of the timber and ensure that it has been legally and sustainably harvested.
In recent years, there have been efforts to address this issue, with the introduction of new laws and regulations that require companies to disclose the origin of their timber and demonstrate that it has been legally and sustainably sourced to ensure that the timber supply chain is transparent.
Porta’s Supply Chain
Porta continues to research the market, assess, and launch other hardwood species. We are a prominent timber provider throughout Australia.
For several years, Victorian Ash was the mainstay of our range, over the last 25 years we have also supplied products made from Tasmanian Oak. Our hardwood timbers are sourced from local and overseas locations including Asia, South America, Europe, and the USA.
One of our unique strengths remains the innovative market research and development we complete, which results in new timber species and finished products being brought to Australian markets.
We leverage and learn from our global partners, as they provide us with insight and inspiration to introduce new timber products and species to the market.
Our relationships have developed over an extended period. They have strengthened over time through collaboration, win/win commercial terms, and our ability to attract partners due to our market presence, industry expertise, and market penetration in Australia.
The strength of the Porta approach extends to the variety of species available in our ranges.
From clear pine to primed pine, and other species, including treated pine, laminated pine, finger-jointed pine and LOSP, our reach of pine suppliers extends across New Zealand, Asia, and South America.
Additionally, we have access to Meranti, Mountain Ash, and a variety of timber veneers and engineered hardwood products.
We have leveraged our strong supplier relationships to explore different species and ranges to support our expansion into exterior products. There are now several native Australian and exotic species available for order in our in-stock and made-to-order ranges, including Cumaru, Cassai, Durian, Blackbutt, Silvertop Ash, Mountain Grey Gum, Spotted Gum, and Iron Bark.
Porta is committed to sourcing timber from sustainable and environmentally responsible resources. We hold a Chain of Custody under internationally recognised and accredited organisations like FSC® and PEFC.
FSC®, Forest Stewardship Council, is a global, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. FSCâ defines standards based on agreed principles for responsible forest stewardship that are supported by environmental, social, and economic stakeholders. The FSC® label on products means that the product has been responsibly sourced.
PEFC, The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. Products with PEFC claim and/or label deliver confidence that raw material originates in sustainably managed forests.
An imperative part of our procurement strategy is a commitment to sustainable sourcing, where products have the best certification including PEFC and FSC® chain of custody certification. As demand for timber increases, we also ensure our suppliers meet modern slavery legislation.
Porta continues their long-standing shipping and freight relationships with reliable local and overseas providers so that security of supply and reliability are always at the forefront.
Resilient Australian Timber Supply Chain
In addition to these challenges, there is also a need to ensure that the timber supply chain is resilient to natural disasters and other disruptions. Australia is prone to bushfires, floods, and other natural disasters, which can have a significant impact on the timber industry. To mitigate these risks, it is important to have robust risk management strategies in place, such as investing in fire-resistant timber plantations and ensuring that sawmills and other infrastructure are located in areas that are less vulnerable to natural disasters.
To ensure the security of the timber supply chain in Australia, it is essential to take a holistic approach that involves all stakeholders, from forest owners and harvesters to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. This can include investing in new technologies and systems that allow for greater transparency and traceability, as well as promoting sustainable practices that minimise the risk of illegal logging and deforestation. It also involves working closely with government agencies and law enforcement to enforce regulations and crack down on illegal practices.
Australia’s timber supply chain faces a range of challenges, from the lack of transparency and the need to ensure resilience in the face of natural disasters. However, by taking a holistic approach that involves all stakeholders and investing in new technologies and systems, Porta ensures the security of the timber supply chain and promotes sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the economy.
Our continued investment in our supply and logistics relationships, our ongoing market research, and meaningful dialogue with our key channel partners ensure that our mutually beneficial relationships will continue to grow well into the future.
