Hyne Timber's 'Macca' Retires After 44 Years

After 44 years with Hyne Timber, John McDonald, aka 'Macca' has signed off for the last time!

However, with an ongoing love of timber, his ‘timber turning’ pen hobby will now take precedence as he retires at the age of 60.

According to Hyne Timber's CEO Jon Kleinschmidt, Macca was a valued member of the Hyne Timber team, a hard-working and incredibly organised mentor for the warehouse and customer service staff,

"Macca has been with the business for over 44 years and I've enjoyed working closely with him especially during our time building and growing the Tuan Mill.

"He has been a part of the business growth over the years, seen the introduction of computers, and been an integral part from timber manufacturing to meeting customer orders.

"He has been heavily relied on as a coordinator within the business and regularly put in long hours.

"I would like to wish him all the best for his retirement and his next endeavours, the growth of 'Macca's Pens'. Mr Kleinschmidt said. Macca commenced with Hyne Timber at their old hardwood manufacturing plant in Maryborough back in 1973.

He answered an advertisement for a company Clerk role, a position he successfully won.

Turning up to work on his first day, suited and booted at their head office, he quickly learned he was actually based on the 'shop floor' at the hardwood mill over the road. Young and red faced, his new co-workers at the mill applauded his arrival in true 1973 rookie style.

In 1986, Hyne Timber opened their new flagship softwood manufacturing plant, the Tuan Mill and Macca transferred as their new Production Manager.

Faced with a brand new, large empty warehouse, Macca, supported by 5th generation James Hyne, set it up with the various products.

Six semi-trailer trucks back then was a busy day. Today, the mill has anywhere around 200 trucks per day on site.

He later took on the role of Customer Service Manager, still looking after production planning, making sure what the customer wants is getting produced and supplied – not a straight forward process when you never know what quality of timber you will get from each log.

He was based at the Tuan Mill for 28 years before moving to the Sunshine Coast where he commenced work at the company's Kunda Park distribution centre.

In his spare time, Macca has been growing a hobby business, turning timber pens which continues to go from strength to strength from his market stall in Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast. Also taking personal and corporate orders from all over the world, his Facebook page is proving a success.

He looks forward to celebrating Christmas with family in Maryborough before taking a well-deserved holiday.

On his return, Macca intends to set up a new website and significantly grow his online presence now he has more time to make more of his pens and other wood crafts.

One of Macca's ongoing corporate customers for his timber pens is of course Hyne Timber!

Pens from Macca's Pens