Introduction:
Design Pine has achieved a remarkable milestone, celebrating a successful journey of two decades dedicated to providing top-quality exterior timber products to the Australian market. This journey stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication, enduring commitment to quality, and constant innovation. In this blog, we embark on a nostalgic voyage through the past two decades, delving into our growth, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the excellence that defines Design Pine.

The role of the Sydney Olympics:
In 1997, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority entered into a substantial $590 million contract with the Mirvac Lend Lease Village Consortium, a collaboration involving Mirvac, Lend Lease, Civil & Civic, ANZ, and Westpac. This initiative was part of a larger $3 billion investment in construction and capital projects for the Olympic Games. The consortium’s ambitious project encompassed the construction of nearly 900 townhouses and 700 apartments across 90 hectares, in addition to nearly 300 modular homes. This development, now recognized as the Sydney Suburb of Newington, has become a highly sought-after part of Sydney.
The scale of this development placed immense pressure on the supply chain due to the unprecedented demand for timber. Sydney experienced substantial growth during this period and also encountered innovations in timber treatments. Regulatory changes excluded popular products like CCA while introducing new solutions like LOSP, which were relatively unfamiliar at the time. The Olympic village was one such site where CCA was not utilised, necessitating the supply of all above-ground exterior timber as LOSP. This posed a significant challenge for producers and importers in adapting to these evolving industry standards.

From Failure comes Innovation
Faced with a significant paint failure issue on the pergolas at the Sydney Olympic Village, the mystery behind the peeling paint spurred an investigation into the application of primers on timber products. The paint was blistering and peeling off the timbers used for the pergolas, a puzzling situation that left everyone scratching their heads.
After a comprehensive inquiry, it was revealed that the pink primer initially applied to the LOSP Treated Timber at the Olympic Village and throughout the country was not a legitimate primer. Instead, it functioned more as a temporary holding or transport primer, requiring sanding before painting. This choice of primer was driven by the challenge of formulating an adhesive primer that could effectively bond to LOSP treated timber. This setback set the gears in motion to address the issue, laying the foundation for the inception of Design Pine.
Blue Primer Revolution
Resene Paints, headquartered in New Zealand, focuses on the production and supply of paints, coatings, and associated products. The company entered into an agreement with ITI to develop a genuine primer, a project that spanned four years and received invaluable contributions from Alan Hartley at Pactim before the company was acquired by Niagara.
A pivotal moment in our journey was the choice to introduce the renowned blue primer. This decision, made two decades ago, marked a groundbreaking leap in the treated pine industry, establishing a fresh benchmark for quality and protection. Today, the blue primer continues to symbolize trust and durability, safeguarding Design Pine projects for enduring excellence.
Building Trust:
For the past two decades, we’ve been building trust with our customers. Choosing Design Pine means choosing a legacy of dependability and excellence. Our commitment to never cutting corners in the manufacturing process has solidified our reputation as a trusted source for exterior timber products.

Fit for Purpose:
At Design Pine, every product is meticulously crafted to be fit for its intended purpose. From the choice of glue to the timber grade and primer selection, every detail is considered to provide a hassle-free experience and long-lasting results.
The Future:
As we celebrate these 20 years, we look forward to the next 20 and beyond. Design Pine remains dedicated to providing exceptional trade quality timber products that exceed your expectations. We’ll continue to innovate, evolve, and provide timber solutions that excel in the ever-changing Australian conditions.

Conclusion:
The journey of Design Pine over the last two decades has been a remarkable one, filled with growth, trust, and unwavering quality. We thank you, our valued customers, for being a part of this journey and for trusting us with your exterior timber needs. Here’s to the next 20 years of excellence and beyond!
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