Porta Products, the Borg-controlled manufacturer of timber mouldings, handrails, dowels, decking, and cladding, acquired the Myrtleford plywood mill from Carter Holt Harvey (CHH), securing the production of its Ecoply plywood range.
A Borg spokesperson told the Myrtleford Times the company was “excited by the acquisition of the mill and its existing workforce, which manufacture a leading Australian plywood product range, currently sold under the Ecoply brand, including structural and non‑structural grades, flooring, and formwork.” The spokesperson said the purchase “further supports Porta’s continued growth and diversification within the Australian timber and panels industry.”
“Borg, through its Porta business, invests heavily in its people and their skills,” the Borg spokesperson said. “We operate a number of mills in regional locations, so we know how important they are to their communities.”
Porta said the CHH Plywood range produced at Myrtleford – about 282 km northeast of Melbourne and 47 km southeast of Wangaratta – will be incorporated into its existing product portfolio “over the coming months” to create a “more cohesive and comprehensive offering for customers Australia wide.” The company described the move as both a consolidation of product lines and an opportunity to broaden its market reach.
“Porta has a proud history of innovation and excellence in timber panels manufacturing,” Porta chief executive officer Jim Snelson said. “The addition of CHH Plywood enhances our product capabilities and enables us to deliver a broader range of high‑quality solutions to our customers in the residential and commercial built environment.”
Snelson added that Porta will remain focused on quality and service during the transition, stating the company will “maintain the highest levels of product quality, service, and reliability for its customers and partners.”
Ecoply plywood produced at the Myrtleford mill is described by the company as carbon negative and is made from timber sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Bright Valley. Porta said the acquisition is expected to preserve local manufacturing jobs and ensure the continued supply of the Ecoply brand while assessing opportunities to expand and optimize the mill’s output.
