N E W S & V I E W S • D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 7 revenue each year. • The determination of appropriate and fair allocation criteria into the export and domestic markets still available to NCT. Such criteria considering the contributions of the array of categories of members and suppliers that NCT has in its fold. • Member and staff duress as market constraints take hold, and against which NCT must do everything possible to relieve. What significant lessons were learnt via the fire? • In times of stress, and facing a common threat, people rally together and provide whatever support they can, no matter their differences or social standing. • Never underestimate the power of natural forces on the workspace. The horrendous weather conditions we faced, added a never seen before dimension to the fire and its ultimate behavior and vigour. • Wood chips do burn! • Recognition of commodities (own and neighbouring) not merely as commodities, but as very real potential risk factors (flammability / toxicity / pollutants / leachates etc.). • The vulnerability of the environment to such an event. Waterways, soil, groundwater, air, vegetation, aquatic, and terrestrial lifeforms etc. Humans are not alone. We leave big footprints! • The value of training and experience. The collective skillsets of those fighting the fire added more value than can be easily described. • The immense and collective value of highpressure water application, long reach, short water refill turnaround times, sustained aerial water assault and specialised ground machinery. A formal post-mortem of the fire in due course will reveal many more lessons learnt, which lessons will be shared across a now very sensitised industry. Were there any positives emanating from the fire? • The opportunity presents for the rebuild to be a vastly improved iteration of the original mill complex on all levels. • There is general recognition and realisation of the true value of the NCT market contribution to suppliers now that significant capacity has been temporarily lost. A precursor of ongoing support? • NCT staff and member cohesion. To date, goodwill and understanding has permeated through any negativity, which bodes well for future cooperative success. • Immense goodwill and support rendering from NCT’s valued clients. Commitments to re-establish trade bonds once up and running again emphasise the value of the enduring and positive name that NCT has created and sustained for itself and members on the market front.
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