ForestTECH News | Issue 54

Welcome to the latest issue of Foresttech.News.

This is the first issue of 2022 and how things have changed since we last corresponded. Omicron has been an unwelcome game-changer in Australia. While the worst may be over, the big issue for business has been chronic worker shortages in key industries across the country. Companies reported that 20% to 50% of workers were off sick with covid, or isolating, during the peak. It soon became apparent that an ‘essential worker’ was not limited to teachers, doctors and supermarket workers – it now included truck drivers, meat workers, cleaners, machinery operators, maintenance staff and hundreds of other occupations.

With omicron’s spread in New Zealand, the much-anticipated event, ForestTECH 2021/22, has also been affected. The 22-23 February 2022 event, originally scheduled for Rotorua, has because of safety concerns now moved completely online. If you haven’t already registered for ForestTECH 2021/22, there are only a couple of weeks to go. Join 300 industry colleagues to hear from 30 technology leaders from throughout the world.

We have a number of great stories in this month’s issue of ForestTECH eNews. We’d like to highlight James Rennie’s commentary on where drone technology is going in 5 years time. Over the last decade, drones have become an essential tool for forestry companies, and it’s one that is continuing to evolve. Why will software be more important than the drone? What does ‘drone in a box’ mean? Who are the main companies to keep an eye on?

Check out these stories and much more below. Enjoy this month’s issue.