As one of Australia’s largest manufacturers of flatpack furniture and diverse timber products, Bedford-backed social enterprise Dovetail Advanced Manufacturing plays an important role in South Australia’s booming $3 billion timber industry.
The state’s timber industry is not only thriving economically, but it is also tackling climate change head-on. Forestry and timber is the only primary industry that captures and stores more carbon than it emits. Plantation-based practices, with no harvesting of native forests, make the industry 100 per cent sustainable. South Australia’s plantation forests were established in 1876 and now cover about 168,000 hectares (ha) across the Fleurieu, Adelaide Hills, mid-north region, and Limestone Coast.
With approximately 18,000 people employed in both direct and indirect roles, the sector produces 35 per cent of Australia’s house framing and interior sawn wood, 25 per cent of the country’s locally produced particleboard, 40 percent of packaging and industrial grade timber, and 60 per cent of timbers for agricultural use.
Yet, according to the South Australian Government, 40 per cent of timber produced leaves the state unprocessed, creating a significant opportunity for companies like Dovetail to add value locally.
Dovetail is at the forefront of this opportunity, transforming raw timber into high-quality products at its manufacturing sites in Panorama, Gepps Cross, Reynella and Mount Gambier.
The company manufactures a range of products for both the Australian and New Zealand markets, including flat-packed, ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture, wardrobes and other storage solutions, indoor and outdoor kitchen cabinetry, decking, picket fencing, and crates, serving both residential and commercial customers.
Dovetail also provides wall, floor and ceiling framing; high quantity board cutting, edging and boring; commercial custom-made products, and medium to high density development fit-outs.
A key part of Dovetail’s commitment to sustainability is the use of lightweight timber wall, floor, and ceiling framing systems that are not only environmentally friendly but designed for adaptability. The modular design can be easily repurposed and adapted to new needs, reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of materials.
Looking ahead, Dovetail is expanding its footprint with a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing and retail hub in Salisbury, set to open in 2025. The hub will increase the company’s production capacity by doubling output and introducing advanced equipment and automation solutions.
This expansion also underscores Dovetail’s focus on social impact, as it continues to provide open employment pathways for people who have experienced barriers to employment, including disability. By positioning itself as one of Australia’s largest social enterprise sites, Dovetail is setting a new standard for integrating sustainability, social responsibility, and innovation into its business model.
In a growing timber industry, Dovetail Advanced Manufacturing is not only playing a critical role in South Australia’s economic development but also shaping the future of sustainable timber production and inclusive employment, proving that business success and social impact can go hand in hand.