A fifth-generation family-owned business founded on the banks of the Mary River in the 19th century has been making good wood for 133 years.
Maryborough institution Hyne Timber has been inducted into the 2015 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame after being recognised for a remarkable contribution to Australia's timber industry and regional economies, most notably the Wide Bay region.
Now in its seventh year, the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame is a joint initiative between QUT Business School, State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Library Foundation. It celebrates those organisations and individuals who have enhanced the state's reputation and economy.
Hyne Timber and five other Queensland business leaders from past and present were inducted into the Hall of Fame by The Honourable Quentin Bryce AD CVO during a black-tie gala event at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre last night (THURSDAY JULY 30).
When R.M. Hyne built a sawmill on the banks of the Mary River in 1882, he laid the foundations for what was to become one of Australia's major timber manufacturers, with a worldwide reputation.
The company today specialises in soft wood and laminated beams, employing more than 500 across 11 locations from Cairns to Melbourne.
Hyne Timber is also Australia's largest exporter of Australian-grown plantation softwood with up to 250 containers a month shipped to a number of international markets.
Since R.M. Hyne's arrival in Queensland in the mid-19th century, the company has overcome major obstacles including the Great Depression, two World Wars, natural disasters and the GFC, to remain a thriving family business.
Chris Hyne, the fourth generation to serve as a Hyne Timber director, said R.M. had identified Maryborough as the place to begin a business legacy.
"There's a culture and a skill set that comes from the historical roots of Maryborough. He saw that Maryborough had the potential to become the major hub for the whole of the Wide Bay district," Mr Hyne said.
"It was originally a town where people built everything from navy frigates to tilt trains, it was a tradesman town and I think Hyne Timber benefited from having really capable people to help run the business.
"R.M. had a strong commitment to, and belief in, hard work but he was also probably ahead of his time in terms of getting benefits for his staff like fewer working hours and the vote for women."
Peter Hyne, a fifth generation director, said the company's family approach and a willingness to adapt had served it well throughout its rich history.
"I think the history of the company demonstrates that we have been in almost every facet of the timber industry with the latest transition, to focus on highly efficient, large volume plantation softwood sawmills, one of the most important," he said.
"But I think the values that R.M. developed was a sense of family and being very honest and respectful with his employees. He knew that without good people behind him he wasn't going to succeed - that's been the company view throughout the generations and continues to be the case today."
QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Little said Hyne Timber had made a significant contribution to developing the timber industry in Queensland.
"It is a fantastic example of how hard work and innovation can transform a small family business into a flourishing industry leader," he said.
"Hyne Timber is deservedly an iconic business, not just in Maryborough and the Wide Bay region but throughout Australia."
State Librarian Janette Wright said the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame ensured the businesses and individuals who had played vital roles in the state's business landscape would be recognised and remembered.
The Hall of Fame space resides within State Library of Queensland, while the digital story collection is available online at www.halloffame.slq.qld.gov.au
The inductees into the 2015 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame are:
•Benjamin Wickham Macdonald
•Blue Care
•Ellen O'Brien and Defiance Flour
•Hyne Timber
•Sir Lawrence Wackett
•The Courier-Mail
TWITTER: Follow #qldhof
Media contact:
Rob Kidd, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, rj.kidd@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
Katie Fowden, Hyne Timber, 0455 087 118
