For wood products experts there's magic to be found within the properties of different types of timber...
Timber processors and manufacturers start their process with a unique natural material which has natural variability. When it goes out the other end it's been converted (processed) into wood products that society needs and uses continuously and it must satisfy
stringent regulatory and market demands. This course will provide insights into these areas.
The processing and manufacturing businesses bring to bear deep knowledge, skill, expertise and information in order to successfully manage factors like variable raw material supply volumes, and variable raw material (wood) characteristics which in turn impact yields and
cost of processing. So too they need an appreciation about the wider Australian and international market dynamics
(e.g. raw material supply/demand/price; end product demand/supply and competitors/price) which their
businesses face. The raw material is integral to success and so is the appreciation of wood science.
This course over five
days duration is designed to provide exposure to a wide range of industry and research experts. Judging by past participant feedback we are confident every participant will benefit from it, gaining knowledge and awareness about the complexity of, and immense opportunities open to, the modern forest products industry.
The learning sessions are lead by subject matter experts, and the site visits are to leading plants across three different types of end product. Participants will connect with a new network of great industry people across Australia.
2025 Course
Starts at Albury on the evening of Sunday 7th September 2025 and ends in Canberra at lunchtime Friday 12th September 2025. Registrations opened in May with promotion on LinkedIn ; plus on premier information hub Wood Central daily digest, and in Daily Timber News.
Program
The 2025 program promises to be absorbing - with leading topic experts delivering presentations, a full day at ANU Campus including a hands-on laboratory session, and two days that revolve around site tours at leading wood processors. For the field trip component, the group firstly has two nights in Albury, NSW. We then travel to Canberra by road, on a luxury coach, and embark on the rest of the week's activities. The preliminary program is updated progressively as the presenters are confirmed.
Objectives
- Provide an understanding of wood properties.
- Provide insights into development of new wood products and their application.
- Provide an appreciation of contemporary issues including sustainability, innovation, technology and supply/demand trends for wood products.
Participants can relax as there is no test or exam to worry about - our team encourages everyone to grasp the opportunity to interact with the experts.
Course Fees
In recognition that many firms are experiencing tough trading conditions the registration fees have not risen. To assist industry The Gottstein Trust will absorb the increased costs associated with delivery of this course.
2025 fees (All inclusive of GST):
$ 3,995 - Includes two nights Albury accommodation
$ 3,196 - Gottstein Patron Donor (20% discount for up to 2 people), includes two nights Albury accommodation
$ 3,596 - Gottstein Sponsor Donor (10% discount for up to 2 people), includes Albury accommodation
Note 1: Travel to Albury to start the course and travel back home from Canberra after the course is a participant cost. Transport included in the course fee is coach transport on field trips and from Albury to Canberra.
Note 2: Participants need to cover three nights accommodation in Canberra. A special discounted rate is available under our Group Code with EAST Hotel - full details are provided on the registration page.
To Register
Online registration is open. Invoices are issued within a couple of days after the registration is received. A place is assured once full payment is made. Payment is by direct deposit only.
Who Should Attend?
Up and coming and experienced managers,
team members in operations, administration, finance and marketing, tree growers, industry and government policy people, industry advocates and consultants, executives, non-executive directors and service providers to the forest and wood products supply chain, as well as students all attend this course and benefit from the learning. The course will be of extra special benefit to those who've recently joined the industry - as it will expedite understanding of the sector.
Why You Should Attend
You will gain a deeper understanding
of wood science and key features of the modern wood products industry – this
will be an asset in your professional work environment. This course should also
assist with placing the organisation you're associated with into a national and international industry context.
In order to facilitate informal
exchange and discussion, the course is limited to a maximum 32 participants.
Invited Speakers
The course again features a high quality group of invited guest presenters
with deep experience in the industry. Speakers typically donate their time and
expertise to the Gottstein Trust courses and the Trust is indebted to them for
such generous support.