|
Page 1 of 4
 Geoff Rhodes was (and is) one of those foot soldiers who live and breathe the legend of MDF and its dramatic success throughout the world.
Ward Williams interviewed “Mr. MDF” for SWJ.
This panelboard success story has its roots in the UK, Ireland & USA, but Geoff Rhodes can point to plenty of achievement throughout Europe---and beyond.
The success of medium density fiberboard outside of its birthplace in USA cannot be attributed just to the fact that it’s an excellent wood based panel with innumerable qualities for conversion into 400 or more different uses and products. Someone had to get out there and introduce it and sell it. MDF’s popularity was based on relentless efforts by salesmen who believed in the product and, supporting them, a marketing program to ignite and sustain potential customers’ interest. Without this “chain of command,” MDF might well have been a might-have-been product.
Geoff Rhodes, currently Marketing & Business Development Director, Coillte Panel Products, was (and is) one of those foot soldiers who live and breathe the legend of MDF and its dramatic success throughout the world. Ward Williams interviewed “Mr. MDF” for SWJ.
Q (Ward Williams) : Although the name “Medite Europe” is well established in the MDF industry, your parent firm of the MDF mill in Ireland is actually now Coillte. Please fill us in on today’s corporate picture.
A (Geoff Rhodes) : The Medite MDF business in Europe has had a number of corporate owners since the investment decisions to commit to Europe were made in 1980 and production actually started up in September 1983. Medford Corporation, Valhi, Willamette Industries, Weyerhaeuser and now, since November 2006, the Irish Forestry Board – Coillte.
Coillte is a commercial company operating in forestry, panel products, land-based businesses and renewable energy. The company employs approx 1,200 people and was established in 1988. It owns over 445,000 hectares (1,099,150 acres) of land, about 7 percent of the land cover of Ireland. Coillte manages its forests and lands in a way that maintains a balance between commercial success and environmental and social benefits.
Coillte Panel Products Division consists of SmartPly Europe Ltd., which produces Oriented Strand Board (OSB), and Medite Europe Ltd., which produces Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) with offices in Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands.
Q: Medite in the USA was an established MDF manufacturer known by the parent company, Medford Corporation of Medford, Oregon. How did it happen that this West Coast producer established itself in Europe?
A: An overseas export business for Medite MDF was developed, starting in 1976, following the first exports of Medite from the USA to Canada with Weldwood, through the offices of Seaboard International in Vancouver and overseas offices in London (where I worked), Paris, Hamburg and Utrecht in The Netherlands. The business grew steadily to the point that, by 1980, it was becoming clear that the volume and demand for Medite would not be able to be satisfied with supply from the USA. At the same time in Ireland, the Irish Development Authority (IDA) were investigating inward investment opportunities to bring industry and manufacturing capacity into Ireland (to move Ireland on from such a strong dependency on agriculture) and to utilize the pine and spruce forest thinnings that were becoming increasingly available, following the planting program of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. In the end, a commercial agreement with Medford Corporation was signed, the commitments to invest US$50 million were made and the rest is history! |
