Message for "Down Unders" re Superlite (Trupan)

[gerryv]

Have any of you folks used a product called Superlite MDF from New Zealand and made with Radiata Pine, the same as Trupan and at 32lbs is the same density. We can't get Trupan in Canada but Mark Owen was kind enough to point out this product. Thanks Mark.

[Simops]

Have any of you folks used a product called Superlite MDF from New Zealand and made with Radiata Pine, the same as Trupan and at 32lbs is the same density. We can't get Trupan in Canada but Mark Owen was kind enough to point out this product. Thanks Mark.

Gerald.....prey tell me more!!

Not heard of it or cannot source any sort of UDF here in Oz!

I'll try and message Mark if he is on this Forum (I'll do a search).....

Meantime any further sourcing info is welcome.....


Cheers

[gerryv]

Hi Michael,

I did a bit of digging. Here's the manufacturer. Their product list including Superlite is at the bottom of the webpage.
http://www.nelsonpine.co.nz/goldenedge-mdf/products/

Hope it helps,
Gerry

[Brian Harnett]

The yard by me carries superlight I asked about trupan and that was what they had.

I have used it and bucket tested it it swelled less than 1 mm after 3 months in water machines quite nice I still prefer solid wood for most of my work. Been using it for at least 8 years

I did not look up the country of origin when I bought it

[Simops]

Gerry,

Thanks for the link.....I see that all their distributors are in NZ.....one of them is Bunnings.....a big box store......Bunnings is an Aussie store so maybe they can get it in here......Bunnings here definitely does not have it normally.
I'll send Nelson Pine an email and see if they export to Oz.....it seems they export to the States from what Brian says.....

Tanks again will follow up....

Cheers

[Sk8MFG]

Gerald,
Manage to find a readily available source for 5'x8' low density MDF in Ontario?
Specifically one which doesn't have minimums.. I really don't need 10 sheets of the stuff.

[gerryv]

I'll let you know for sure. I'm certainly willing to commit to a few sheets so if some of the other fellows were as well we might be able to swing something. I've contacted the company in New Zealand asking about distribution but have not heard back yet.

What comes to mind is perhaps several of us could find a mutually agreeable drop point where we in south/central/eastern Ontario could pick up and, if Andrew C. was interested, have some dropped with him along the way?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to make a new post with a more suitable title to catch the attention of other Ontario/Quebec users?

[Mark Owen]

Gerald,
I haven't called these guys but they are listed as a Superlite MDF distributor.

Regards
Mark

York Warehousing & Distribution
165 Summerlea Road
Brampton, ON, Canada, L6T 4P6
P.905.789.0025
F.905.454.4030

Part of Canusa Wood Products out of Vancouver.

[gerryv]

Thanks much Mark. I'll give them a try for sure and post my results.

[Simops]

Got a reply by email from Nelson Pine regards the Superlite MDF....see below.

It seems it's commercially viable to ship it to USA, 10,000 miles away yet not viable to ship to Australia, 1500 miles away:rolleyes:

They did suggest another company, they supply here, who make a lighter grade (not as light as Superlite or Trupan) but yet to get a reply to my email or phone message??!!

---------------
We do not have a distributor of our MDF range , including our GoldenEdge Superlite MDF range, in Australia. We have an associate company, Alpine MDF PTY Ltd based in Wangaratta, VIC, who are responsible for the distribution of MDF in Australia for our Group and we tend to concentrate on distribution to NZ and Asian/North American markets.

While Alpine MDF does not manufacture a Superlite MDF , I believe it offers a Liteboad MDF with a mean density of around 590-600kg/m3 compared with the standard density of MDF panels at 725kg/m3. This may suit your requirements as an alternative to the Superlite MDF.

I have copied into this email Graham Church, CEO of Alpine MDF Pty Ltd, and I suggest you contact Mr Church and he will be able to advise the name of a Victoria based distributor who is a stockist of its lighter weight MDF.

Kind regards,

Paul Dalzell
------------------

[gerryv]

Wow, their logic escapes me. All I can imagine is that they perceive the OZ taxes and import duties as making their prices seem out of line but from my perspective, your residents are well aware that this is a fact of life for imported products that are not available locally. One would think they'd at least fund dropping a small container, even as consignment stock with a local distributor on condition that they do some target ads and sales calls, just to gauge response.

[gerryv]

Mark,
Thanks again. I'm going to be contacting York very soon.

[Simops]

I don't think it is the taxes and duties.....there's no duty for imports from across the pond and the only tax is GST (10%) that business effectively don't pay but instead charge customers that tax and pass it back to Govt.

I think it is about economies of scale......too small a demand here to make it viable for them to do it here. It's made in NZ so easily sold there. USA and Asia are huge populations so huge markets and so worth their time and shipping to do so. Remember Aus is only one tenth the population of the States!!

Still no reply on the Liteboard product made here......?

Cheers