About Prolam

Being a New Zealand grown and family-owned business, Prolam was established in 2002. Since that time, we have gone from strength to strength by focusing on customer service, innovation and delivering on budget, on time and as specified.

An expert in Engineered Structural Timber Solutions, our state-of-the-art plant has a large capacity and can manufacture to specification a wide range of timber products including glulam beams and posts. 

Our Purpose

Building better together

 

Our Promise

Strong support that will allow you to build with strength, confidence and ease.

Overall, your experience with Prolam will be supportive, dependable and effortless.

Our Values

  • Integrity
  • Ease through support
  • Industry leadership
  • Responsibility

 

...

The History

Since being established as Prowood in 2002, we have gone from strength to strength. From humble beginnings contracting to a local supplier we have grown exponentially with products being recognised internationally, in particular the Prolam product range. This is a result of working alongside industry partners and providing innovative engineering solutions to meet their requirements. It comes down to the performance of our products and how quickly we respond to clients needs. Our values – integrity, loyalty and honesty – are essential in all dealings with our suppliers, customers and staff.

  • 2002

    Company established by John Woodman.

  • 2005

    Saw Prowood pioneer the Prolam laminated H5 kiln dried post into the merchant market, after being told "we want a laminated H5 post that will go into the ground, and not twist".

  • 2006

    The development of a set of span tables leads to the launch of a range of standard timber sized Prolam PL8 glulam beams.

  • 2007

    The span tables are well received by architects and production is expanded to include PL12 in its range.

  • 2008

    Span tables are made interactive as a calculating PDF.

  • 2010

    Prolam is certified to manufacture PL17 structural beams.

  • 2012

    LVL 15 is added to the product range.

  • 2014

    Prolam specifier is automated to work from first engineering principles and is utilised nation wide.

  • 2015

    Prolam increased it’s output by installing another laminating line, double shifting it’s finger jointing line and implementing lean manufacturing principles.

  • 2016

    Due to increase in demand, an extra 1080m2 was added to the factory, alongside an automated outfeed and wrapping machine.

  • 2017

    Prolam takes over another site, with a treatment & kiln drying facility, further securing it’s own resource for future expansion and development. Another laminating line is installed to boost production by 50%

  • 2018

    Prolam installs 2 new Finger Jointers to take more control over supply chain.

  • 2019

    New LeaderMac Plainer is installed to provide high quality finish to infeed timber.

  • 2020

    Our new Online Specifier is launched with optimized options and built with a fast and reliable new 'code'.

  • 2021

    In march 2021 A new optimiser cross cut saw is installed, to help production capabilities and more precised cutting.

  • 2021

    Launch of our PLX20® beam, an innovative Structural laminated beam, the highest strength beam in our range with steel inserted to increase spanning capabilities.

  • 2021

    Our latest leap forward is the opening of our own mill in Autumn 2021.

  • 2022

    This year we celebrate 20 years of business!
    Thanks to all who have made this possible!