One Industry, Two Countries, Stronger Connections – WoodTECH 2026
June has been an exciting month for the Gibson team, with a strong presence across both New Zealand and Australia at WoodTECH 2026 – Australasia’s leading timber processing and manufacturing conference. Bringing together industry leaders, mill operators, and technology innovators from across the sector, WoodTECH continues to be one of the most important events on the timber industry’s calendar.
Innovative Engineering – Timber Machinery & Equipment
Exploring New Zealand and Preparing for WoodTECH
Our journey began with the team travelling throughout New Zealand’s North and South Islands ahead of the conference. The trip provided a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with customers, visit operations, and gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the timber industry across the region.
The event itself was held over two days in Rotorua, where our team spent valuable time engaging with key industry stakeholders, customers, and technology leaders. These conversations reinforced the industry’s growing focus on efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and practical solutions that deliver measurable results.
Sharing the Hidden ROI of Good Decision Making
A major highlight of the conference was our Day 2 presentation, “Commercialising Technologies – The Hidden ROI of Good Decision Making,” delivered by CEO Curtis Gibson and Strategic Accounts Manager Matthew Lumsden.
The presentation explored how businesses can unlock significant value by making better-informed operational and technology investment decisions. The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many recognising the opportunity to better quantify returns and drive smarter outcomes within their own organisations.
Both our exhibition stand and presentation generated strong interest, with numerous customers registering for our ROI Tool. Designed to help businesses clearly identify the financial impact of operational decisions, the tool is already proving to be a valuable resource for organisations looking to maximise performance and profitability.
Back on Home Turf: WoodTECH Brisbane
No sooner had the team returned home than preparations were underway for the Brisbane edition of WoodTECH.
We kicked off the week with our popular “Meet the Enemy” networking drinks event. While the name always raises a smile, the evening is all about bringing together industry professionals, customers, partners, and even competitors in a relaxed environment to build stronger relationships and encourage open conversations across the sector.
The event was a great success and set the tone perfectly for the two-day conference that followed.
Throughout the Brisbane event, we welcomed many existing customers and new industry contacts to our stand. The quality of conversations was exceptional, with discussions ranging from operational improvements and technology adoption through to long-term business strategies and growth opportunities.
Day 2 also saw Sales and Solutions Engineer Logan Hesse join Matthew Lumsden to present our highly successful session, “Commercialising Technologies – The Hidden ROI of Good Decision Making.” Building on the momentum generated in New Zealand, the presentation once again resonated strongly with attendees and reinforced the importance of making informed decisions backed by reliable data and measurable outcomes.
Looking Ahead
Events like WoodTECH remind us why we are so passionate about supporting the timber industry. Beyond the presentations, exhibitions, and networking opportunities, these conferences provide a platform for meaningful conversations, fresh ideas, and stronger industry partnerships.
The enthusiasm we experienced across both New Zealand and Brisbane confirms that businesses are actively seeking practical ways to improve performance, embrace innovation, and make smarter decisions. Seeing the strong interest in our ROI Tool and hearing firsthand how it can help our customers reinforces the value of the work our team continues to invest in every day.
A huge thank you to everyone who visited our stand, attended our presentations, and shared their insights with us throughout the month. The connections made, conversations had, and opportunities created have made every kilometre travelled worthwhile.
We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to continuing these conversations with our customers and partners across the industry.
If you did not get the opportunity to talk with our team at the Woodtech event to register for the ROI Tool, please contact info@aegibsonman.com.au or visit out website here.
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