Brand Logging

22/08/2026

07/08/2026

Last night we had our Canterbury West Coast Wood Council bi annual awards night at Te Pae in Christchurch.
We are proud to say that Flynn Starkey and Jamie Youngman won awards.
Flynn for the Emerging Talent award. This was hotly contested with the most entrants.
Flynn has worked for us since leaving school and now is operating one of our Tigercat 855’s in our cut to length operation in Balmoral Forest. He shows good leadership and is a good young fella who is respected by us and his workmates.
Jamie was away on the night and missus, Grace had to be in his place. His award was for Harvesting Excellence. Jamie has worked for us for 16 years. He started after fairly well out of school as well.
He came when we still used chainsaws in the Crews and is a bit of an old boy now!
He operates one of our processors and is managing Brand 102 in the Hanmer Forest currently.
Jamie is well liked and respected by us all as well. He loves his rugby and up till this year, has been player/ coach for the Saracens Div2 team. Last year he was Canterburys Coach of the year.
These guys are a good reflection of the type of people who work in all our businesses.
Our Group photo was left a bit late and we had lost a few.
Well done fellas. TB

27/07/2026

Some wood say, I have an addiction and they wood be right! These honeys are the latest addition to our chainsaw collection. We should have enough, but probably not! If anyone out here has a mint looking Husky 181 or a Husky 1100 any condition wood be awesome thanks. Also short of Clark 664 A, B, C or all of these. Preferably in NZ. And yes, I know there are some typos, but I prefer to keep it simple and relevant to our industry!
Cheers in advance for the saws and Skidders. TB
0274 360338

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!

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.