Representing Innovation at the 2026 Forestry Summit in Prague

Left to right: Pieter Nel AFGRI Equipment South Africa Operational Manager – Construction & Forestry Equipment, Patrick Roux AFGRI Equipment South Africa and Western Australia Managing Director, Brad Forrester AFGRI Equipment Australia General Manager Construction & Forestry.

Recently we had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Forestry Summit in Prague, representing our ongoing partnership with John Deere Forestry - one of the most influential forces in the global forestry industry.

Events like the Forestry Summit play a critical role in bringing together industry leaders, manufacturers, and forestry professionals from around the world to share knowledge, explore emerging technologies, and align on the future of sustainable forestry. For regions like Western Australia, where forestry operations must balance productivity with environmental responsibility and often operate across vast, remote areas, these global insights are especially valuable.

With a market share exceeding 40%, John Deere continues to set the standard for innovation, performance, and reliability. The summit provided valuable insight into the company’s future direction, including an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated H Series Harvester. Designed with a focus on increasing productivity while enhancing operator comfort and control, the new series signals a strong step forward in modern forestry solutions.

For Western Australia’s forestry sector, advancements like these are more than just new product releases—they directly influence how efficiently and sustainably local operations can run. Equipment that improves uptime, reduces fuel consumption, and enhances operator safety is critical in a region where access to skilled labour and support can be challenging due to distance and scale.

One of the standout themes from the event was the continued evolution of Connected Support. By utilising advanced machine data and remote diagnostics, this technology is helping forestry operations minimise downtime, streamline maintenance, and maximise overall efficiency—delivering tangible value on the ground. For WA businesses, this kind of connectivity is particularly important, enabling faster decision-making and support without the delays typically associated with remote worksites.

The summit also reinforced the global shift toward smarter, more sustainable forestry practices. From data-driven harvesting to precision planning and reduced environmental impact, these innovations are shaping a future that aligns closely with Western Australia’s need to manage natural resources responsibly while maintaining strong industry output.

It was inspiring to see firsthand how cutting-edge technology, collaboration, and proactive support systems are shaping the future of forestry—not just globally, but with clear and meaningful benefits for operations here in Western Australia.