Engineering the Mill for Future Generations.
From its base in South Australia’s Green Triangle, South East Pine Sales Pty Ltd has steadily developed a sawmilling operation focused on durability, efficiency and future growth. Achieving that has required machinery partners who understand both Australian timber and the realities of running a mill day in, day out. For more than a century, AE Gibson & Sons has provided that kind of engineering support, forming the foundation of a long-standing collaboration.
Our involvement in this journey can be traced back to 1985 when Dudley Crumpton purchased a Gibson Twin Saw Log Edger and Bench for his mill in South East Queensland. Like many Gibson machines of that era, the equipment was built for longevity and adaptability, laying the groundwork for a story that would continue for decades.
In 1997, South East Pine Sales, under the ownership of Mark Forster, purchased Dudley Crumpton’s mill. The acquisition included the Gibson Twin Edger, Gibson Bench and a Multisaw. AE Gibson and Sons relocated and reconfigured the mill equipment into a new mill building at the Wandillo site. As part of this transition, Mark installed a new waste system, including a chipper, establishing a more efficient and scalable operation.
As production demands increased, further upgrades followed. In mid-2000, the Multisaw was replaced with a Gibson Combination Multisaw System, complete with Infeed, Multisaw and Outfeed Conveyor. This upgrade improved throughput and consistency while maintaining the robust, practical design required for daily production.
Over time, South East Pine Sales continued to adapt the mill to suit changing requirements. An MEM Canter/Multisaw System was installed, which decommissioned the Gibson Multisaw. A second-hand Pocket Sort System and a second-hand Debarker Line were also integrated, reflecting a staged and cost-effective approach to mill development.
A major step change occurred in 2015 with the construction of a whole new mill. This project was designed and delivered by Gibson’s who supplied a Twin Band Headrig, Twin Band Resaw and Opti Combination Multisaw Systems, while continuing to reuse proven Gibson equipment where appropriate. Scanning technology was implemented throughout the mill, supported by new Log Infeed and Waste Systems. The Finished Timber Line was aligned with the existing mill and Pocket Sort, and fully integrated with the existing Resaw and sorting infrastructure—maximising efficiency while protecting previous investments.
Supporting infrastructure upgrades continued in 2016 when the existing Debarker System was connected to the New Mill, allowing the Debarker to feed both the old and new mills significantly improving operational flexibility.
Further enhancements were introduced in 2020, the Debarker Log Infeed Decks were replaced, modernising the Log Handling System. This was followed in 2022 with the replacement of the Debarker Log Outfeed Decks, completing a major upgrade to the Debarking Line.
As part of this ongoing evolution, the original Crumpton Twin Saw Log Edger and MEM Canter/Multisaw were decommissioned, while the Gibson Resaw Bench remained online, continuing to deliver value decades after its original installation.
The most recent milestone came last year with the Design and Installation by Gibson’s of an Opti Trimmer System, replacing the existing manual end trim operation. Installed between the new mill’s Finished Timber Line and the existing Pocket Sort, the Opti Line introduced advanced automation and optimisation. The system included twin Unscramblers, Automatic Board Singulation, Opti Scanning with manual override, automated drop-out to pallet and paling lines, an Opti Fence and Trimmer, automated drop-out to Resaw and reintroduction Tipple, automated drop-out to Roundtable, and full integration with the existing Pocket Sort. Associated Waste System upgrades were completed, along with controls upgrade to the existing pocket sort, with provisions made for future expansion.
Over nearly four decades, this relationship has grown into more than a supplier-client arrangement. It represents a long-term collaboration focused on supporting South East Pine Sales’ operational goals, adapting to change, and building a mill capable of evolving with the industry. Together, we have strengthened regional manufacturing, supported local jobs and contributed to a resilient timber supply chain—from the radiata pine forests of South Australia to building sites across the nation.
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