Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH)

We pride ourselves on setting the benchmark in the timber manufacturing industry and being accountable every step of the way.

Our commitment to ethical practices, sustainability, and compliance is not just a claim, it’s truth backed by evidence, rigorous third-party auditing and certifications.

In an ever-expanding landscape of unrestricted expression, here at ASH, we take pride in demonstrating our commitment through tangible actions rather than mere words. We back our claims passionately and seriously.

We ensure there is less room for ambiguity by providing credible third-party evidence to support our claims. We are proud to be a trusted Australian manufacturer with an unwavering commitment to ethical, sustainable and verified practices.

We believe in transparency and accountability and share below the extensive catalogue of policies and third-party certifications that validate our dedication to excellence:

• Australian owned, grown, made
• AS 4707 (PEFC CoC via AFS third party audited by EWPAA)
• AS 1328 (third party audited by EWPAA)
• ISO 14001 (third party audited by SAI Global)
• ISO 45001 (third party audited by SAI Global)
• Australian WorkCover
• Australian WorkSafe
• Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment
• Over 250 Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Industrial Relations Policy
• Industrial Relations Plan
• Compliance with Australian Legal obligations
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010, Australia
• EPDs (better than carbon neutral) third party audited by ThinkStep
• Super E0 formaldehyde emissions
• Opportunities for people living with a disability (ie. production lines designed for operation by people in wheelchairs)
• Women’s equality and safety (MATE bystander)
• Employment opportunities for disadvantaged Victorians (7th LGA)
• CFMEU Collective Agreement (AG2023/2657)
• Support affiliate business in 7th LGA
• Signed to TAKE 2 – Victoria’s Climate Change Pledge
• ~596gk CO2 stored per m3 third party audited by ThinkStep
• Health, Safety and Wellness policy
• Anti-Discrimination and Bullying policy
• Workplace Equal Opportunity policy
• Workplace Gender Equality Agency Compliance
• Unbeatable Local Industry Development Plan (over 97% of delivered structures derive from Australian grown/owned/made product).

We challenge you to find another company that matches our level of integrity and commitment to responsible manufacturing.

Join us in shaping a better future for both industry and environment.

ASH has been manufacturing high quality timber products to the Australian market for over 30 years.

ASH aren’t like any other timber mill and processor. Technology, innovation and culture have and will continue to be at the forefront of our business.Decades of experience means we know what to look for in quality timber and cultivate the best conditions for it. An impressive 13 manufacturing operations means we streamline the entire process for our partners to produce the best possible outcome. Our process has been designed to get the most from harvest and maximise efficiency and quality in a safe manner.

Our Process

• Our location in the Gippsland regional town of Heyfield, Victoria is not by chance. It was carefully selected many years ago in a dry belt on flat ground that naturally allows the right amount of sun and air flow to slowly equalize the timber until it is ready for kiln drying. This process minimises internal stresses or the need to burn unnecessary fossil fuels for power.
• The large open area ASH occupies in Heyfield provides plenty of space and guarantees that our racks of timber aren’t rushed through production. This means they are only selected for reconditioning and kiln drying when they are ready. Not because they need to be moved to free up space.
• The power for each of our kilns is created when burning dry sawdust – a carbon neutral process that releases only the amount of carbon which was taken in by the tree during photosynthesis. Sustainable harvesting practices ensure that the carbon released is captured again within the next regeneration program thereby eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels for energy. Learn more about sustainability at ASH.
• Once inside the kiln, the timber is connected to a computer to regulate temperature, humidity and wind speed. The technology only allows the drying process to stop once the timber has reached the optimum moisture content of 10%
• At 10% moisture content, timber has completed most of its shrinking. Now it’s ready to be straight line cut (a process unique to ASH) to ensure that our customers do not need to straighten before use.
• An ultrasound scanner is then used to search for internal defects and the timber is graded. The resulting product being the most stable, straight, well graded and dried timber possible.

A well-managed timber source is arguably the most environmentally friendly building product available.

Timber is the ultimate renewable. Trees capture and store carbon and are renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. When we choose sustainably and responsibly harvested timber over other materials, we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and their consequent carbon emissions.

Sustainable use of natural forests, as stated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is considered a key step toward a sustainable economy.

Timber can be used to increase a buildings ‘life cycle assessment’, has minimal embodied energy and the ability to change appearance by re-painting/staining as trends change – we believe there is no better product!

Timber by-products can be used for carbon neutral energy sources or fertilizers and (providing that we replace what we harvest) is the only truly sustainable building material we have. Aluminium, steel, concrete & plastic are not produced from renewable sources.

Read more about ASH's commitment to sustainability here.