Thank you to everyone who registered for our recent event on mass timber construction. For those who couldn’t attend, here’s a summary of the key takeaways from our expert speakers:

Red Stag TimberLab – Product Innovation & Sustainability

Sam Leslie presented a deep dive into Red Stag TimberLab’s operations, products, and commitment to sustainable, digital-first construction. Key points included:

  • History & Capabilities: From its origins in the 1950s to becoming New Zealand’s largest supplier of mass timber, Red Stag TimberLab (RSTL) now manufactures CLT, glulam, and LVL with cutting-edge CNC technology.
  • Digital Fabrication: RSTL’s team of nine full-time drafters and five five-axis CNC machines ensure precise, BIM-integrated manufacturing.
  • Sustainable Advantage: Red Stag’s Rotorua sawmill is self-sufficient in electricity and exports power to the National Grid, underlining their low-carbon, renewable approach.
  • Global Reach: Products are exported annually across Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, and Australia.

CLT Flooring – Technical and Practical Considerations

Andrew French covered the ins and outs of CLT flooring—from production to installation. Highlights included:

  • Panel Specs & QA: CLT panels up to 16.5 x 4.5m are manufactured based on structural needs, with strict quality testing. Comprehensive specifications and pricing from point of concept design.
  • Application Versatility: Suitable for floors, balconies, lift shafts, bracing/shear/inter-tenancy walls, roofs and stairs—each with precision connection and penetration detailing through shop drawings.
  • Speed & Services: Installations can reach 4–5 panels/hour. Factory applied weather protection applications now available.
  • Quantity Surveying, Fire & Acoustics: Important to build a consultancy team that has experience in mass timber design to ensure efficiencies and avoid cost overruns. 

Engineering with CLT – Real-World Experience

Matt England from Enovate shared technical design and practical on-site insights:

  • Engineering Advantages: Precision manufacturing and cuts superstructure weight by up to 40%.
  • Compliance & Design: Detailed overview of compliance, diaphragm design, and structural performance under New Zealand building codes.
  • Fire & Moisture: Fire safety misconceptions were addressed, with a strong recommendation for early fire engineer engagement and comprehensive moisture management plans.
  • Collaborative Success: Emphasis on early supplier involvement and coordinated consultant teams to de-risk CLT builds.

Contact the Red Stag TimberLab team to discuss how you can include mass timber in your upcoming project.

Or

Email: info@redstag.co.nz

Phone: 09 253 9349

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