Overview

In 1993 Murray & Karen Grant in partnership with Shane & Helen Blaxland imported a horizontal Bandmill with objective of supply wholesale R/S green pine to the Finger jointing and other markets in Whangarei.  Shortly after starting operation these markets crashed forcing us to look elsewhere.

We processed and marketed some macrocarpa logs from a local forest, saw the potential for developing a reputation as supplying well graded and cut macrocarpa and never cut pine again.

Changing our name to MacDirect Ltd, our output increased dramatically every year. We became the main wholesaler of Macrocarpa into Auckland with our main restriction being log supply.

In 1999 Murray and Karen became the sole owners of MacDirect, determined to continue to take advantage of the growing awareness of the special benefits of Macrocarpa.

In 2003 with the business outgrowing its site and production ability, a decision was made to purchase an existing macrocarpa mill (P&D Sawmill) in Franklin, South Auckland at Patumahoe.

This allowed us to grow our customer base, source trees from Central North Island Plantations, and move into finishing/dressing timber ourselves.

Although there have been many difficulties to face, e.g: Building Code turmoil, consistent log procurement, and now the building recession, MacDirect has continued to grow every year.

Today we are well placed to meet the increasing demand for high quality macrocarpa.

With a reputation amoung forestors we have a plentiful supply of quality plantation logs.  We have consistantly strived for improvement in quality control, installing a modern Wenig foursider/moulder last year and a horizontal bandmill resaw this year.

The mainstay of a small sawmill is the team  who work there. Most of our team have worked several years for MacDirect and have become experts in the specialist cutting and grading needed in a macrocarpa sawmill. Three are sitting Trade Certificates.

Today MacDirect has a kitset manufacturing division which has considerably alleviated any downturn in the building industry.

MacDirect believes macrocarpa has the potential to be a major player in the NZ Building industry with the added potential of a large known market for cypress in Asia.

We aim  to be in a position to meet this demand while always being determined to satisfy each and every customers needs. 

The View from MacDirect