
Darren SteadManaging Director
Darren has been with TimberLab since 2010; originally as Operations Manager for Timberbond Industries prior to the merger with McIntosh Timber Laminates. He has worked within the timber industry for over 35 years in a variety of roles; predominantly in production and operations management in Timber Engineering. Darren served The Company as General Manager for 6 years where he guided the day to day management. In May 2020 he was appointed Managing Director and is committed to ensuring TimberLab manufactures high quality structural engineered timber products by utilising technology and innovative, quality systems to build a trusted and continuing partnership with our clients, suppliers and staff so they are confident and proud to be working with TimberLab. He is also dedicated to ensuring that TimberLab remains at the forefront of engineered timber structures, by delivering second-to-none customer service and quality, through our programme of continuous improvement – Lean Manufacturing initiatives.

Andrew HewittGeneral Manager
When Andrew joined TimberLab in 2014, he brought significant industry experience in project management and quantity surveying as well as systems management. Having dealt with large construction projects for many years, Andrew is able to offer our customers a practical depth of knowledge and competence. His thorough analysis of projects and their needs along with careful attention to detail, helps to ensure smooth progress in satisfying customer expectations.
His role as GM is to ensure TimberLab remains at the forefront of engineered timber structures, by delivering second-to-none customer service and quality, through our programme of continuous improvement.
His role as GM is to ensure TimberLab remains at the forefront of engineered timber structures, by delivering second-to-none customer service and quality, through our programme of continuous improvement.

Sam LeslieTechnical Sales Manager
TimberLab welcomed Sam to the team in April 2018. Extending the boundaries for engineered timber solutions is an ongoing passion for TimberLab & Sam’s wealth of skills & experience will assist us on our journey to being New Zealand’s finest provider of engineered timber solutions.
Sam has spent the last 5 years helping to develop and educate the mass timber market in New Zealand. He was the Engineering and Innovation Manager at XLam NZ Ltd; Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) manufacturing plant in Australasia. He holds Bachelor of Engineering (1st class Hons) and Master of Engineering Management degrees from the University of Canterbury.
Sam’s passion is to see digital technology enhance engineered timber’s ability to expand horizons for the provision of detail designed, prefabricated construction packages.
Sam has spent the last 5 years helping to develop and educate the mass timber market in New Zealand. He was the Engineering and Innovation Manager at XLam NZ Ltd; Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) manufacturing plant in Australasia. He holds Bachelor of Engineering (1st class Hons) and Master of Engineering Management degrees from the University of Canterbury.
Sam’s passion is to see digital technology enhance engineered timber’s ability to expand horizons for the provision of detail designed, prefabricated construction packages.

Rommel de Jesus3D CAD/CAM Senior Draftsperson
Rommel joined the Company in 2011, bringing with him significant expertise in this specialist field of CAD/CAM drawing that greatly enhances our ability to provide our clients with solutions.
Rommel’s attention to detail is second to none. Concept design can also be brought to life with his ArchiCAD skills. With TimberLab now leading the market in CNC fabrication, Rommel has embraced and excelled in this monumental change to the company and his role.

Laura Sos MartinezQuantity Surveyor / Estimator
Laura joined the office staff in 2017 as our new Quantity Surveyor / Estimator. Laura, as well as having experience within the New Zealand market, has international experience acquired in her native Spain. She’s competently assisting with the ever-growing demands due to our additional work.

Manu AbrahamProjects Administrator
Manu joined the TimberLab team in March 2019 to assist in managing our projects; to ensure they flow smoothly from the quote stage, through CAD drafting into production & out at the delivery stage.
Manu’s background is in Engineering & Project Management. He possesses Bachelor of Engineering & Graduate Diploma in Project management and brings great attention to detail, with a calm & focused attitude

Paul RaschOperations Manager
Paul has extensive experience in managing large manufacturing facilities (most latterly in Australia) but previously in NZ.
His role ensures that the factory team have all the tools and information to complete projects as efficiently as possible whilst facilitating the planned growth and increase in capacity of the plant., along with overall responsibility for product quality and H&S management for the factory.
His role ensures that the factory team have all the tools and information to complete projects as efficiently as possible whilst facilitating the planned growth and increase in capacity of the plant., along with overall responsibility for product quality and H&S management for the factory.

Eti SopoagaManufacturing Plant Manager
TimberLab welcomed Eti to the team in March 2019. Eti brought with him a wealth of knowledge in Production Management & excellent leadership skills.
His experience with Lean Manufacturing and robust management style will aid in his role in managing production & to maintain TimberLab’s position as the leading Glulam manufacturer in Australasia.
His experience with Lean Manufacturing and robust management style will aid in his role in managing production & to maintain TimberLab’s position as the leading Glulam manufacturer in Australasia.

Iro-Nui WichmanProjects Manager
Iro has returned home to New Zealand from Switzerland where he gained extensive experience in engineered timber construction; project managing contracts through the design, approval, manufacture and install on site.
His skills complement our extremely knowledgeable projects team.
His skills complement our extremely knowledgeable projects team.

Breanna PookCAD Technician
Breanna has a degree in Architectural Technology and a broad range of skills from the construction industry and is providing extra support to the CAD Drawing department.
She will be producing approval documents for customers and manufacturing information for our CNC processors.
She will be producing approval documents for customers and manufacturing information for our CNC processors.

Jose GeorgeCAD Technician
Working remotely from Levin, Jose brings loads of industry knowledge and skills.
His experience in working with mass timber projects and our specialist CAD software will provide an immediate boost to our CAD / CAM capacity.
His experience in working with mass timber projects and our specialist CAD software will provide an immediate boost to our CAD / CAM capacity.

Sam ShepherdJnr QS / Estimator
Sam is in his final year of Unitec studies, completing a degree in construction, majoring in Quantity Surveying. He’s currently assisting with project estimates as well as managing his studies.

The TimberLab TeamFactory Team
With a hard-working team of around 25, TimberLab Solutions Ltd has a large pool of experienced, qualified and talented employees in the factory who make up the team dedicated to providing the type of quality products our customers require. Our staff act with integrity and honesty; our clients know they can have confidence in TimberLab and its products.