Kai Kruse, Nelson Pine Chief Operating Officer

In September NPIL appointed Kai Kruse as Chief Operating Officer. Kai’s background includes hands-on experience in the wood industry, a Master’s degree and a PhD in timber business, and most recently a management role in the Malaysian HQ of Samling, the global giant in forestry, construction/real-estate, ship-building and chemicals.

“Nelson Pine has been known to me for a long time as a leader in MDF and for its growing reputation in LVL, so coming here was a great opportunity for me to make a shift in my life,” he said. “I’m enjoying the change in seasons after living in the tropics, looking forward to getting to know New Zealand and all it offers, and to the opportunities in my role at NPIL, particularly at this exciting stage of making inroads into the construction sector with LVL.”