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Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Ekaterina Ezhova Ekaterina Ezhova Melbourne, Australia Last Updated: December 2023 ANZSIC F3331NZ

Revenue

$3.7bn

2023-24

$3.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

1,430

Businesses

163

Wages

$XX.Xm

Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand industry analysis

Timber wholesalers have struggled amid challenging building conditions, which has clamped industry revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic, associated Alert Level restrictions and economic uncertainty have disrupted downstream demand conditions. Industry revenue has been dropping at an annualised 0.5% over the five years through 2023-24, to $3.7 billion. This trend includes a slump of 6.2% in the 2023-24, primarily owing to sharp falls in demand from residential and carpentry services.

Trends and Insights

  • Timber wholesaling has taken a tumble owing to challenging building conditions. Construction companies have considerably reduced their purchase orders for timber products over recent years.
  • Builders and homeowners increasingly seek substitutes for timber to use in their construction. This trend is particularly prominent at times of timber shortages.
  • Timber wholesalers are mainly located in densely populated areas. The proximity to upstream timber suppliers and downstream construction companies reduces transportation costs for wholesalers.
  • Non-timber alternatives, like structural metal products, synthetic materials, concrete and plastic items, pose a mounting challenge to timber products. Consumer choicer are driven by environmental sustainability concerns, cost-effectiveness or specific functional properties.

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  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.7bn in 2023.

Trends and Insights

Economic disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have hampered industry expansion

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and associated supply chain issues have hindered construction activity, leading to slumping timber sales. Delays in the supply chain have led to project delays and hurt timber sales.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand
Revenue (2013-2028)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Recovering Construction sector is set to promote demand for timber wholesaling

  • Greater commercial and industrial building construction activity is on track to stir up demand for timber products. This trend is poised to allow timber wholesalers to pass on price hikes to clients down the supply chain.

Biggest companies in the Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Max Birt Sawmills Ltd
113.9
Anderson & O’Leary Ltd
73.9

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Logs and wood chips, Sawn timber and sleepers and Panel products. Logs and wood chips is the largest segment of the Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand.

Trends and Insights

Demand from wooden structural fitting manufacturers fuels the appetite for logs and wood chips

  • Logs and wood chips are the largest product segment.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Industry operators wholesale a range of timber and wood products to retailers, construction companies, furniture manufacturers and carpenters. Firewood wholesaling is excluded from the industry.

What's included in this industry?

Logs and wood chipsSawn timber and sleepersPanel productsNiche timber productsExotic wood species products

Companies

Max Birt Sawmills LtdAnderson & O’Leary Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

VERTICAL INTEGRATIONWHOLESALE BYPASSVENEER

Industry Code

ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 3331 - Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Timber wholesaling has taken a tumble owing to challenging building conditions. Construction companies have considerably reduced their purchase orders for timber products ove...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Builders and homeowners increasingly seek substitutes for timber to use in their construction. This trend is particularly prominent at times of timber shortages.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Timber wholesalers are mainly located in densely populated areas. The proximity to upstream timber suppliers and downstream construction companies reduces transportation cost...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Non-timber alternatives, like structural metal products, synthetic materials, concrete and plastic items, pose a mounting challenge to timber products. Consumer choicer are d...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major players in this industry. It is dominated by small-scale wholesalers, with companies often prevailing in specific geographical areas.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
  • Overview of Max Birt Sawmills Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Anderson & O’Leary Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Max Birt Sawmills Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Anderson & O’Leary Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Residential building construction is the key sales driver for wholesalers’ timber and other wood products. The use of timber in residential construction is extensive, spannin...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Economic uncertainty restricts new investment in construction projects, cutting down the industry's profit margins. Developers have tabled some new projects owing to concerns...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Average Wage (2013-2028)
  • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
  • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2013-2028)
  • IVA (2013-2028)
  • Establishments (2013-2028)
  • Enterprises (2013-2028)
  • Employment (2013-2028)
  • Exports (2013-2028)
  • Imports (2013-2028)
  • Wages (2013-2028)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand in 2024?

The market size of the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand is $3.7bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand industry in 2023?

There are 163 businesses in the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.8 % between 2018 and 2023.

Has the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand has been declining at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2018 and 2023.

What is the forecast growth of the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Timber Wholesaling market in New Zealand?

The biggest companies operating in the Timber Wholesaling market in New Zealand are Max Birt Sawmills Ltd and Anderson & O’Leary Ltd

What does the Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand include?

Logs and wood chips and Sawn timber and sleepers are part of the Timber Wholesaling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Timber Wholesaling in New Zealand?

The company holding the most market share in New Zealand is Max Birt Sawmills Ltd.

How competitive is the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Timber Wholesaling industry in New Zealand.

Related Industries

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Competitors

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View all industries in New Zealand

Methodology

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IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in New Zealand include:

  • Statistics New Zealand
  • New Zealand Company Register
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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