Paradise Timber drives local jobs and sustainable supply
July 17, 2025 10:14 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Nicholas Mwai.
What was once known as Veneer Logging has officially become Paradise Timber as of August last year, marking a new chapter under local ownership with a renewed focus on sustainability, local employment, and timber supply across Vanuatu.
The business, originally established two decades ago in Santo by John and Sheryl Schick, was acquired in August 2024 by Grant Donovan and Lisa Schick—also the owners of Paradise Petroleum, Paradise Gas, and Paradise Meats. The acquisition falls under the broader vision of the Paradise Group to grow Ni-Vanuatu development through investment in locally rooted industries.
General Manager (GM) of Paradise Group, Jeff McEvoy, said the decision to invest in timber came from the owners’ ongoing commitment to community and economic growth.
“Grant and Lisa have a passion for running businesses that assist and support the development of Ni-Vanuatu,” McEvoy told the Vanuatu Daily Post. “We felt we could expand the timber business to supply all of Vanuatu, which in turn creates more employment and offers customers an alternative, quality building material.”
Paradise Timber sources all its timber locally through a network of six to eight walkabout mills—small, locally owned operations in Santo that use selective logging methods. This approach helps protect the environment and keeps the economic benefits within communities.
“All our timbers are sourced locally in Santo, and all our furniture is made by local carpenters,” McEvoy added. “We strongly oppose clear felling large areas for raw exports.”
The company primarily supplies treated Melektree and Whitewood, a ‘hard’ softwood that is pressure-treated in Luganville for increased durability and pest resistance. A smaller range of local hardwood is also used to produce handcrafted furniture, including doors and tables that showcase the natural features of Vanuatu’s forest resources.
With no plans to export raw timber, Paradise Timber is focused on meeting domestic demand while protecting the resource.
“We want to continue to be sustainable. Overproduction could put this valuable resource at risk,” said McEvoy. “Our goal is to supply Vanuatu with quality, locally made timber for many years to come.”
The group is also exploring better ways to distribute products across the islands, though McEvoy acknowledged the ongoing challenges of working in a disaster-prone region.
“We’ve faced hardships and losses with every natural disaster that’s hit Vila, Santo, and the outer islands,” he said. “But with every setback comes the positive—being supported by our customers, our suppliers, and our team across Vanuatu.”
The shift from Veneer Logging to Paradise Timber is part of the wider mission of the Paradise Group: building stronger communities through business. This includes education grants for employees’ children and ongoing support for Ni-Vanuatu enterprises.
By embedding itself in both the economic and social life of the country, Paradise Timber represents more than just a name change. It is a renewed commitment to locally made solutions and long-term development in Vanuatu.
