Simmonds Lumber was started by Kevin Simmonds in Sydney in the early 1980’s. In 1993 the business was acquired by a company controlled by the Black family, who have other interests in the pastoral and timber industry in Australia and New Zealand. At that time Simmonds was located in a small yard in the residential area of Pennant Hills and was primarily involved in the importation of Radiata Pine from New Zealand for the local domestic housing market.

As the business grew, in 1985 it was relocated to a warehouse operation in Meadowbank, which enabled the company to expand its product range into the distribution of Medium Density Fibreboard (known as MDF) and, following the acquisition of the Amplex business, into sawn and dressed hardwoods from South East Asia.

The company’s sales continued to grow, to the extent that in 1987 a decision was taken to move to a new site that allowed more space for timber storage and larger office premises for the increased number of employees. After a six month search, a lease was signed for a suitable 4 acre property on Bennelong Road, Homebush Bay. The move to this site allowed Simmonds to expand into a wide range of timber products that are still sold today.

In 1994, word went out that Homebush Bay was the preferred site for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Concerned about how this may disrupt the day-to-day business, and as the Games site gained momentum, Simmonds went on the property trail again, this time with a view to finding a site that they could own themselves and could become a more permanent home for the growing business. Six months later, negotiations were concluded for a 6 acre property in Durham Street, Rosehill, previously occupied by Wonderlich roof tiles. The “House of Simmonds” was officially opened by the Mayor of Parramatta, the Honorable Paul Garrard on 12th July 1996.

In subsequent years the business has expanded across the entire eastern seaboard of Australia, with distribution operations in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. A warehouse and office was also set up in Auckland, New Zealand. In Indonesia, company employees now operate out of an office in Surabaya to facilitate the sourcing of product from that region. Throughout this period of considerable growth, the company was led by the Chief Executive, Paul Elsmore, who commenced in 1985.

The Simmonds Lumber Group sells a wide range of timber products for the domestic housing industry, commercial construction, home renovations, and industrial markets. Products are sourced from producers in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and North & South America.

The company is led by the Board of Directors, under the chairmanship of Humphry Rolleston. Other directors are Mr Graeme Black and Mr Geoff Joyce. In 2011, on the retirement of Paul Elsmore, John Simon was appointed as the new Chief Executive.

Simmonds was the first company in the world to use DNA testing to certify the legality and provenance of timber imported from Indonesia, and works closely with organisations such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund on this issue. This is one example of the company’s constant objective to use leading edge technology and to sell sustainably produced timber products.

The team at Simmonds is proud of the growth that has been achieved, and continues to work with our partner suppliers to ensure that our customers receive “Simply the Best” in service, product and technical support.