Black Forest Investments NZ Limited

We would like to acknowledge the immeasurable insight and support that our founding Director, Graeme Black brought to the Company since its inception. Sadly, Grame passed in 2023.

The Company is primarily involved in the importation and distribution of hardwood decking from Indonesia and South America, as well as a very comprehensive range of plywood from China and Indonesia.

All products imported by the Company carry FSC® accreditation, which supports the Charter requirements of NZITTG, of which Black Forest Investments is a very supportive member.

Black Forest realises the opportunity within the New Zealand market to be a long-term and committed supplier across a range of building products, which are supported by major overseas manufacturers, some of which have granted exclusive supply agreements.

The Directors are Paul Kiesanowski (Independent Chairman) and Malcolm Hudson.

The CEO of the Company is Paul Elsmore, an experienced CEO with extensive timber and plywood knowledge who, until his retirement in 2011, was CEO of the Simmonds Lumber Group for 26 years. During this period, he built the Company’s distribution across the Eastern seaboard of Australia and New Zealand, with support offices in Indonesia. He has worked extensively throughout Southeast Asia for more than 40 years and has formed supply alliances that have stood the test of time. His extensive knowledge of Legality standards and product knowledge extends to all species of hardwood and plywood that the New Zealand market supports.

Rodney Chan is the CFO of Black Forest. Rodney has been a Chartered Accountant for over 25 years. Fifteen years of experience were spent working for Deutsche Bank Australia, where he specialised in capital market transactions and corporate taxation. Rodney is an experienced CFO, having worked in a wide range of sectors since returning to New Zealand. Rodney is also a board member of Low Impact, a company that brings sustainable solutions to both New Zealand and overseas markets.

At the forefront of our business model are very experienced Sales Executives who have spent many years servicing the New Zealand supply chain.

The Company’s Mission Statement is:

“To increase our presence in New Zealand as an importing wholesale business, committed to the supply of quality legally sourced products under FSC to the New Zealand merchant market”.

“Our core values guide everything we do – Employees, Customer Service, Innovation, Integrity, Fun & Profitability”.

The Company, Black Forest Investments NZ Limited, is committed to being a reliable and long-term importer and wholesale distributor in New Zealand. We look forward to working with you as a customer and trading partner in the years ahead.

To avoid any confusion, Black Forest Investments is not part of the Simmonds Lumber Group.