On 14 February 2023, Pan Pac Forest Products’ Whirinaki site was hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, with silt flooding into buildings, causing significant damage to the plant. In many areas on site the water was 2m deep. Danny Eagleton, Pan Pac’s technical manager, says Pan Pac’s owner Oji Holdings was adamant from day one that the site would be rebuilt. There was even a silver lining. “This catastrophe has actually enabled us to bring forward some key projects,” noted Danny.