Brand Logging

Brand Logging Logging Contractor

Today’s rugby started at the Saracens Club Day with both grandsons, Jack (Saracens) and Tom (Ohoka) playing in their res...
23/05/2026

Today’s rugby started at the Saracens Club Day with both grandsons, Jack (Saracens) and Tom (Ohoka) playing in their respective grades in the morning. Jack won player of the day and Tom was awarded player of the day by the opposition.
The afternoon started with the much anticipated local derby between Saracens and Ashley Div 2, which involved three of our staff.
Jamie (Youngy)Youngman (player/ coach) and Adam (Whip) Brand ( right wing) for Saracens and Angus (Gus / Gussy) Gemmell (left wing) for Ashley.
Jamie and Adam are Crew Managers for Brand Logging and Gus is Heavy Diesel Tech for Brand Mechanical.
The boys all work closely and their has been quite a bit of smack talked in the build up.
The game lived up to the hype with a good Crowd of spectators and a real country atmosphere.
The game-
Adam and Gus both started and were marking each other.
Both had good a good start with tackles and runs with the ball.
Ashley got away to a good start and held the lead for most of the game. Jamie came on with about 25 to go.
He took over kicking duties and had a good impact.
With about 15 to go, Saracens hit the lead and ended up taking the win.
It was a great game to watch with both Teams playing well and clean.
The game was just as exciting to watch as our Crusaders win v Chiefs last night.
I am sure the boys will have a well deserved night out and may be a bit dusty tomorrow!

Brand 102 in the Matariki Estate in Hanmer Forest. Nice load of 7.2 Douglas Fir. Brett Rossiter at the controls. The Cre...
14/05/2026

Brand 102 in the Matariki Estate in Hanmer Forest. Nice load of 7.2 Douglas Fir.
Brett Rossiter at the controls.
The Crew is cleaning up windthrow in the Heritage area.
The Mill will be pleased to see these sticks!

06/05/2026

Our new Tigercat 632H arrived yesterday at Brand 107 working in the Ashley Forest for Matariki.
It is our first Tigercat purchased off Cable Price, and has been a good experience with the machine turning up with window tints and hard surfacing on the grapple tynes and blade edges.
It is replacing a 12,000 hr 632E. First impressions are good. It has a few new features as in-
Bigger cab
Seat has more rotation, allowing the operator to sit square on.
Easier access due to doors hinged from opposite side to old machine.
Engine has exhaust brake to help on the downhill. I did not get to try it out as we are in a flat block, but should be good.
She has a different transmission, which is supposed to give more power. It definitely has some boogie compared to the 632E, though the engine is getting a bit tired on the old girl.
It has Cruise Control, which might be handy on long drags.
Bluetooth tyre pressure monitoring is fitted and will be good if a slow leak turns up.
All in all, some good upgrades and should add up to more wood pulled.
Matt Harris is the Operator and is also very happy with the machine.

On Friday night we had our 40th work do and celebrated a few staff milestones including the upcoming retirement of Chock...
13/12/2025

On Friday night we had our 40th work do and celebrated a few staff milestones including the upcoming retirement of Chocky (Leonard) Church. He has worked in the Industry his whole working life, starting with the NZ Forest Service when he left school.
Chocky started with us 34 years ago in 1991 when we won the CHH contract at Eyrewell Forest. It was the same year our Daughter Gemma was born and the Bell in the background of the photo was purchased, that he later operated.
Chocky started as a Tree Faller, which back then entailed trimming as well, as there was no mechanisation. It was hard yakka but good honest work.
He eventually moved to the skids measuring and cutting up for a few years and then moving on to operate the Bell Ultralogger. No such thing as a heater or air con in those days.
Chocky moved onto running our post Crew for a few years and operated our Cat 312 on fleeting duties.
While working in the bush, he sharpened all our Harvester Chains at home in his garage after work and on weekends.
In 2011 he moved to our Workshop, Brand Mechanical, and has been there for the last 14 years sharpening chains, fixing broken chains, fitting new tips, straightening and dressing bars, with a bit of handyman stuff as well. In the last few years that side of the business has grown and we do chains and bars for most of the Canterbury Crews.
Chocky is well known in or area and will be missed by all of us.
He has been like one of the family and been through all our trials and tribulations and we have many memories of our time together.
He finishes up on the 24th of December, so anyone can pop in and wish him well.
I am sure he will be turning up for smoko in the years to come, to catch up and have a chocolate chip biscuit( which got him the name Chocky) and a cuppa. His seat will be reserved.
We wish him well in retirement but will miss him around the place.
We thank Chock for the years of service and memories created. TB

24/11/2025

We are currently looking for a machine operator to join our team, see the trade me link below.

25/07/2025

Finals day today for Adam Brand and Jamie Youngman for their respective rugby div 2 grades. Adam for Woodend and Jamie for Saracens. Both games are played at the Rangiora Showgounds today with The first one at noon.
Good luck fellas.

A bit of our old school logging Gear set up at Wanaka. The machines range from 1980-1995.
17/04/2025

A bit of our old school logging Gear set up at Wanaka. The machines range from 1980-1995.

Had to get the 518C out today to do some machine assist felling on Mt Grey Road, Ashley. Jamie on the Harvester, TB on 5...
03/02/2025

Had to get the 518C out today to do some machine assist felling on Mt Grey Road, Ashley. Jamie on the Harvester, TB on 518.

We had our work do on the weekend at the Brand Mechanical Yard. The kids enjoyed digging with with the wee digger, ridin...
10/12/2024

We had our work do on the weekend at the Brand Mechanical Yard. The kids enjoyed digging with with the wee digger, riding in/on the Fire Engine / riding in the Forwarder with their Dads/ playing games / jumping around in the bouncy castles and filling up on sugary treats.
The Adults had a leisurely afternoon as well. Our newly completed Forestry Muesem was viewed by all as well.
One of the photos is most of the staff from Brand Logging, Brand mechanical and Brand Mowers and Chainsaws. The other includes family members.
We also celebrated ten years continuous service of Matt Harris. This is his second one as he has done a total of 23 years, with a stint away working on a farm in the middle.

05/12/2024

Matt on the 632 at Ashley today. Brand 70 Crew. The crew has just shifted back after a stint at Bottle Lake.

Address

216 Forestry Road
Ashley

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 5pm
Tuesday 6am - 5pm
Wednesday 6am - 5pm
Thursday 6am - 5pm
Friday 6am - 5pm

Telephone

+6433138224

Website

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