We welcome your enquiry

We take great pride in everything that we do, control over products and supply allows us to ensure our customers receive the best quality service. Contact us via the form below or on the following email [email protected] to register your enquiry with us.

Our Team

What Drives us as a Company?

At Foresta, our team shares a unified vision that goes beyond simply working with pine trees and their products. We’re focused on reshaping the way forests are managed, harvested, and replanted, ensuring their health and sustainability for future generations. Our commitment is to sustainable practices at every stage—from the forests we care for to the products we manufacture. We are mindful of the chemicals and materials we use, understanding that our products reach a wide range of industries and touch countless lives.

As pioneers in replacing coal with clean, sustainable wood pellets for energy, we are proud to lead the way toward a cleaner future. We work closely with local forestry farmers, iwi, and governments to enhance the well-being of our surrounding forests and communities. It’s this responsibility to people and the planet that drives everything we do.

Russell Allen

Executive Chairman

Russell Wayne Allen is a highly successful businessman, entrepreneur and investor. Mr Allen has over 40 years’ experience across several industries including international business, global trading, transport and logistics, construction, retail, hospitality, property development and investment. He has built, owned and operated several successful businesses over his career. He was previously Managing Director of Alenco Pty Ltd and Noirot Pty Ltd.

Mr Allen is currently Managing Director of Formosa Group Australia Pty Ltd. Mr Allen has a wealth of business experience, expertise and acumen, and represents a valuable addition to the Board.

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Maurice Fabiani

Executive Director

Dr Maurice Fabiani is a senior management and board executive with over 30 years’ experience in international business as well as the biomedical field and related health areas. He has an extensive professional background, having held senior roles in business, academia, biomedical/biotechnology industry and the not-for-profit sector.

Dr Fabiani is a Graduate of the University of Melbourne and holds a PhD (Medicine/Pharmacology) as well as MBA (Finance and Strategy) from the Melbourne Business School. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Fabiani is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Formosa Group Australia. He was previously a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, and head of an internationally recognised medical research group. He is also a published author of many international peer-reviewed scientific and medical research publications. Dr Fabiani has served as CEO and Managing Director of biotechnology companies as well as a Founding Director and Chairman of the Australian Patients Association (APA).

 

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Henry Cheng

Chairman

Mr Henry Cheng is a senior management and board executive with over 35 years of extensive experience in international business, resources, insurance, investment, finance and banking.

Henry has developed strong global networks, having travelled extensively and worked in many countries. He has forged well established and influential relationships at senior executive and board level with publicly-listed and private companies as well as leading financial institutions and government entities across Asia, USA, Europe and UK.

Henry is a Graduate of the National Taiwan University and holds a Bachelor of Business and Master of Business (International Finance). Henry currently serves as Executive Chairman of Formosa Group Australia, Executive Chairman of Formosa Resources and Executive Chairman of Arizona Global Transaction Management Services. He was previously the Managing Director of Manulife Insurance and General Manager of Halifax as well as a Director of the Australian Patients Association (APA).

 

 

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Grant Yeatman

Chief Technical Officer

Grant has been involved in EQ since its incorporation in 2017, providing guidance on intellectual property development, the management and company growth.

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Erich van Zyl

Chief Financial Officer

With over 15 years’ experience across multiple industries, Erich ensures smooth operation and enhancement of internal finance functions whilst supporting executive and board analysis and decision making.

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Alex Johnson

Project Manager

Alex is a Biotechnology Engineer with a proven track record in project management for large-scale retail construction in New Zealand. She is experienced as well in the food manufacturing sector and has a big passion for sustainability.

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Latest News

Foresta 2024 Annual Report: Building the Foundations for a Biomass Manufacturing Facility
26 11 2024
We are pleased to present Foresta’s 2024 Annual Report
Foresta Welcomes Hon. Simon Watts MP and Tom Rutherford MP to Kawerau
26 11 2024
Last Friday, the Foresta New Zealand team and our Board of Directors had the privilege of hosting Hon. Simon Watts MP
A Promising Future: Henry Cheng’s Meeting with New Zealand Leaders
19 09 2024
Company Update
31 07 2024
This board restructuring, coupled with changes to the senior management team, is part of Foresta’s strategic effort to enhance expertise and expedite project timelines.
Kawerau Project Update – Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approval
09 07 2024
This approval, granted under the Overseas Investment Act, allows Foresta, as an overseas entity, to proceed with the lease.
Foresta at Fieldays 2024
17 06 2024
Last week Foresta participated in Fieldays 2024
$1M Placement to accelerate Kawerau Biomass Manufacturing Project
23 05 2024
Funds raised under the Placement will be applied to accelerate the torrefied “black” pellets and pine chemical manufacturing facility project in Kawerau
Toi EDA Forum in Kawerau
06 05 2024
Last week Ray attended a forum held by The Economic Development Agency for the Eastern Kawerau.
Foresta Signs Long-Term Offtake Purchase Contract with AV Pound & Co Limited
29 04 2024
In the relation the supply of 2,000 tonnes per annum of natural wood rosin
Foresta Signs 10 Year Supply Agreement with PF Olsen
29 04 2024
This contractual arrangement represents the supply of 150,000 tonnes per annum of logs, stumps and slash sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forests
Foresta Signs 10 Year Supply Agreement with PF Olsen
29 04 2024
This contractual arrangement represents the supply of 150,000 tonnes per annum of logs, stumps and slash sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forests
Planned plant to produce low emissions fuel to replace coal a step closer with agreement to lease Kawerau site
08 04 2024
Agreement to lease signed for Kawerau site
Foresta Signs a Harvesting Contract with Silvertree Biomass Solutions.
13 03 2024
We are thrilled to share that Foresta has signed a significant ten-year Harvesting Contract with Silvertree Biomass Solutions Limited
Bay Of Plenty Project
16 02 2024
Bay Of Plenty Project
Pine Gold Rush: From Rosin and Terpenes to Invaluable Alternatives, Transforming Industries and Phasing Out Petroleum Dependence
13 02 2024
Pine Gold Rush: From Rosin and Terpenes to Invaluable Alternatives, Transforming Industries and Phasing Out Petroleum Dependence
Forestry Research Updates
15 01 2024
Stumps, often overlooked in many industries since they are cumbersome to extract and transport, pose both health and safety as well as environmental risks when left behind.
Foresta NZ signs supply contract with Tailored Energy Resources Limited
20 12 2023
Employee Spotlight: National Sales Manager, Dean Ormrod
15 12 2023
I have worked in Sales and Business Management for many years working in the construction, manufacturing, oil and fuel industry. 
Navigating New Zealand’s Transition from Coal-Fired Boilers to Sustainable Alternatives
15 12 2023
New Zealand finds itself at a crucial crossroads as the government mandates a departure from coal
Employee Spotlight: Senior Project Manager, Alex Johnson
15 12 2023
As a Biotechnology Engineer with specialisation in processes, I’ve had the privilege of working on diverse projects across industries, identifying by-products from manufacturing processes and adding value to them.
Optimising Forest Ownership: A Comprehensive Approach to Progressive Harvesting and Slash Utilisation
17 11 2023
In the realm of responsible forest management, maximising value for forest owners is not just about harvesting timber but entails a holistic approach.
Employee Spotlight: Forestry Supply Manager, Rafael Moradei
17 11 2023
Placement To Raise $2.333M
16 10 2023
Placement To Raise $2.333M
Foresta’s Recent European Expedition
20 09 2023
We recently embarked on a journey to Hannover, Germany to take a closer look at potential suppliers and attend Ligna 2023, the world’s foremost woodworking and wood processing trade fair.
Office Launch In Papamoa
27 09 2023
Foresta celebrated the opening of its company office in Papamoa, New Zealand.
Update from Managing Director
20 09 2023
Update from Managing Director
Overview of Rotorua flagship project
29 08 2023
Overview Of Rotorua Flagship Project
Foresta signs Term Sheet with Tailored Energy Resources
11 08 2023
Foresta signs Term Sheet with Tailored Energy Resources
New Technology Patent Filed
28 07 2023
Foresta is pleased to announce the filing of a new technology patent with IP Australia
Quarterly Update Ending June 30
18 06 2023
Quarterly Update Ending 30th June
Appointment of Chairman
25 06 2023
Appointment of Chairman
Foresta Signs Term Sheet with Ground Base Solutions
13 06 2023
Foresta Signs Term Sheet with Ground Base Solutions
Test
01 08 2019
Watch the shareholder webinar recorded on Wednesday November 2nd 2022.