The Australian forest industries have applauded the service given by Jon Kleinschmidt who has announced his retirement after serving as CEO of the Hyne Group since 2012.
“The hallmark of Jon’s input on the board of the Australian Forest Products Association was always forward-leaning and with a willingness to confront the challenges faced by the sector, especially with regards to securing future timber resources, the bushfires and the times of peak demand following the Covid pandemic-induced building boom,” said Ross Hampton who himself is transitioning as AFPA CEO ahead of a new role the UK.
Mr Kleinschmidt served as a director on the AFPA board from 2016 to 2022 – nominated from AFPA’s softwood manufacturing chamber.
The chair of the Hyne Group, Tom Bruce-Jones, in announcing Mr Kleinschmidt’s retirement, advised that Jim Bindon, a key driver of NSW-based Big River Industries, would fill the role, commencing in May.
Mr Kleinschmidt has been with Hyne for 28 years, and his principal positions have been divisional manager, general manager development and technical, CFO and, since October 2012, chief executive officer.
“We are extremely grateful for everything Jon has achieved during his long and successful career with the Hyne Group, particularly during the GFC, the bushfires, Covid and latterly in assisting the board negotiate the transaction with James Jones and Sons Ltd in 2021-22,” Mr Bruce-Jones said.
“Jon’s knowledge of all our processes is second to none and he has been instrumental in delivering many of our major projects, commissioning production lines while focusing on health and safety and personnel development.
“Jon’s legacy is immense, and he has established a very strong platform of dedicated personnel and well-capitalised assets.
Jim Bindon has been the CEO of Big River Industries 2005, a company trading on the ASX and he has been well-known to the Hyne Group since then.
“He has guided Big River through years of successful growth and will bring great experience and knowledge to his new role at Hyne, as well as identifying acquisitions and growth opportunities for us,” Mr Bruce-Jones said.
Mr Bindon holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (honours) from the University of New England and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Queensland. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
