Big River Group: Grafton factory unveils $22 million upgrade after funding following Black Summer bushfires

One of the North Coast’s largest timber factories, part of the local landscape for over 100 years, is branching out after a $22m boost. But two devastating events nearly cut down the business for good.

Big River Group outside the Grafton factory following the multimillion dollar upgrade

One of the Clarence Valley’s largest timber factories has risen from the ashes after the 100-year-old business was crippled by two devastating fires.

On Wednesday, April 3, the Big River Group’s Junction Hill factory, located just north of Grafton, unveiled a $22 million upgrade which will increase the business’ output and create an abundance of new local employment opportunities.

Founded in Grafton over 100 years ago, the Big River Group navigated through three generations of the Pidcock family’s ownership before it became a public entity, trading on the Australian Stock Exchange, in May 2017.

The Big River Group’s early days in northern NSW.

The company now operates across 26 sites in both Australia and New Zealand but, according to John Lorente, the CEO of Big River Group, Grafton remains “the spiritual heart of the business”.

“It’s been an integral part of Grafton for a very long time,” he said.

However, fortunes have not always been entirely smooth sailing for the company.

In 2014, a fire tore through the factor and destroyed some of the site’s most expensive and critical equipment.

According to Mr Lorente this fire threatened to close the factory but the team “banded together” to keep operations rolling.

Staff watch the fire at Big River Timbers after being evacuated from the site. Picture: Adam Hourigan.

Picture: Adam Hourigan.

The company would barely catch a break before fire struck once more.

The 2019 Black Summer bushfires threatened the long-term supply of logs and forced the company the close its Wagga Wagga branch.

“The Black Summer bushfires changed the direction of our products,” Mr Lorente said.

“We were more of a volume manufacturer … (and had to) become more of a niche or bespoke manufacturer of products,” he added.

Almost five years on from that devastating summer, the company is now looking to return to its roots, and expand its supply of products.

CEO John Lorente, Big River Industries.

The upgrade was in part funded by both state and federal governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.

Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan said the $22 million project will increase the local workforce to 75, securing the jobs of existing employees and its 610 employees nationally.

The new Big River Group site.

“I am focused on backing projects that are creating and retaining jobs across our region,” Mr Hogan said.

“This project will enhance the production capacity for all plywood products, including high quality formply products, architectural panels and high strength plywood for civil construction.”

While Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the upgrade will also boost the statewide construction industry.

“We know the NSW building industry has been experiencing a shortage of building supplies … (and we need to) inject more timber supply into the state,” she said.

“The opening of the upgraded factory is a big win for Grafton and the surrounding region as it’s bolstered the local economy by taking on additional employees with further plans to grow.”