OUR COMPANY HISTORY

After many years working at senior management levels in the Australian timber & panel products industry, in 1985 Peter Rowney decided it was time for a new adventure. With encouragement and financial backing from long term colleague and mentor Denis M Cullity, he commenced trading from the current Landsdale site, as Austim (Australian Timber Products Pty Ltd.)

Peter’s extensive experience in the local industry coupled with his passion for sales and service ensured the company started on a sound footing. The company’s core products of imported softwood and hardwood were established early and remain to this day. Being non-resource backed, the company was forced to create its own point of difference in the WA market, by offering a wide range of imported product coupled with a superior service offer and the ability to “Source the Unusual”.

In 1989 Austim purchased local company Plymar which had been placed under administration and subsequently became one of Perth’s leading suppliers of specialty veneer and plywood. An emphasis was placed on servicing the cabinet/fit out and marine markets, which is still a major target market. In 1990 Nick Rice joined the company, bringing an extensive knowledge of Canadian softwood, after working in the busy Sydney wholesale market. The company quickly established itself as WA’s leading importer and wholesaler of West Coast Canadian species in Western Red Cedar, Oregon, Spruce/Pine/Fir (SPF), Hemlock and Pacific Coast Yellow Cedar.

The company continued to grow as the ‘90’s approached and the nucleus of today’s management team joined the company in junior roles. Long term relationships with key suppliers were established, many of which continue today. In 1991 Julian Whitaker joined the company as Sales Administrator and the strong link to the cabinet and furniture market was cemented. Peter Parker also joined the company at this time and is today the Retail Distribution Manager. During the mid ‘90’s, some changes to the distribution model were effected, as the company focused solely on wholesale business. This was successful in a number of markets, but the lack of direct customer contact made some market sectors difficult to retain. By the late ‘90’s Austim had decided to return to servicing the exotic timber market directly and the market responded with enthusiasm, yielding very positive results. In 1997 the business became wholly owned by the Rowney Family and ownership remains with them today.

Also at this time, the company established itself as the leading supplier of value added and pre-packaged timber products to the retail hardware sector. Austim was successful in developing a service focused offer, to hardware chains unable to purchase in large volumes, by offering a wide range of timber products such as Radiata Pine, Tasmanian Oak, Western Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Kapur Decking and Jarrah, packaged in convenient size, bar-coded bundles. This business sector has continued to grow and today remains an important contributor to the overall business. In 1999 Nick Rice left the company and Julian Whitaker was appointed Sales & Marketing Manager. 2001 saw John Ford join the business and he is today the Sales Manager WA. Jim Agacy also joined in 2001 as Building Products Manager, to build and develop the engineered wood products component of the company product offer. In 2001 Peter Rowney’s deteriorating health prompted him to pass control of the company to his son Michael Rowney as Managing Director.

Today, timber is imported from Canada, U.S.A., Europe, Africa and Asia. The company carries more than 25 species in stock with an inventory close to 2000m3.  The company remains one of Australia’s leading suppliers of architectural Claddings, Decking, and ancillary mouldings in Western Red Cedar, Pacific Coast Yellow Cedar and other popular timbers. Austim is Australia’s leading importer of Burmese Teak products and is the Australasian agent for Santi Forestry Group, the world’s largest Teak producer. Austim is also the Australian agent for Belgian company Bomaco, a respected supplier of high quality, specialty plywood products.

The company is very proud to have been recognised by its customers, with the presentation of the award for the “Best Supplier - Customer Service”, at the 2003 Furnishing Industry Association of Australia, annual awards. This award best sums up the company’s mission. In 2005 Julian Whitaker was appointed General Manager and Austim celebrated its 20th anniversary with a function that was attended by many customers who had been there at the start. This in itself was a testament to the benefits of building long term profitable business relationships. The future for the company will be centered on the company goals of profitable growth, asset development, continual improvement and relationship management.

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