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Sawmilling South Africa News
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We write to you today, once again with a heavy heart, as for the second year in a row the Southern Cape has experienced more devastating fires.
I recall as a young student at Saasveld in the 70’s, our lecturers telling us that the fire danger in the forestry areas of the Garden Route was very low as it was an all year round rainfall area and so redominantly wet especially on the coastal plain. Fire was something that took place only in the mountains. Well haven’t things changed in recent times?
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This time our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost yet more area and especially with Dave Metlerkamp and his team at Geelhoutvlei Timbers. Dave has lost everything, the mill and his entire home including all his worldly possessions. We ask all sawmillers and indeed foresters to keep Dave and his team in your thoughts and prayers.
Also affected by the fires were all the timber growers and many of the people who rely on them for resource and therefore a living. The entire forestry sector in the Southern Cape will need to assess the situation and assist each other in strategizing the future of the value chain in the region and both SSA and FSA will need to assist in this endeavour.
News from the Northern regions is not as bad but reports of mills struggling with the market conditions are on going. Lets hope that our President and his team can turn this SA economy around and that better times will greet us in the new year.
This month also saw the 20th annual gathering of Saw Doctors at the SASDEA convention in JHB and what a success it was. It was attended by no less than 40 odd Saw Doctors and mill managers from all corners of the country who came together to celebrate the 20th year of SASDEA and to listen to various experts in the field of the trade. Both SASDEA and SALDEA deserve your support and it is most encouraging to see that even in these tough times the spirit of these two skills is alive and well.
As we are not completely out of danger here as far as the fires go this will have to be short and sweet so please don’t forget to keep cutting straight and drying flat until next month – Cheers.
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Roy Southey
Executive Director: Sawmilling South Africa
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AGFO Expo 2018 is bigger and better!
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This year’s Agriculture and Forestry (AGFO) Expo offers significant networking opportunities for the agriculture, forestry and farming sectors, while giving members of the public a chance to enjoy some active, outdoor fun.
The AGFO Expo, which takes place at the Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre in White River from 8 to 10 November 2018, this year incorporates the SAMAC Macadamia Industry Day and the Fire-Tech Day.
The Fire-Tech Day, on Thursday 8 November, will include demonstrations of and discussions around various fire equipment and products and their uses. Topics include risk mapping; the influence of climate change on fire trends; computer-generated wind and weather modelling; detection and management of forest fires; the ops rooms and fire prediction modelling within forestry; an integrated approach to successful fire suppression using fire tenders, strike craft, fire equipment and fire-fighting personnel; fire suppressants, applicators and the latest on pumps hoses and nozzles. The cost to attend the day is only R100, which includes entrance to the expo, the Fire-Tech Day and a light lunch.
The SAMAC Macadamia Industry Day, on Friday 9 November, has world-renowned plant pathologist from Australia, Dr André Drenth, as the keynote speaker; and various other industry experts who will share their knowledge with visitors. Well-known economist Dr Roelof Botha will share the results of a study on the impact of land expropriation without compensation and how this will affect the SA economy. Some of the other topics under discussion include an update on the macadamia tree protection programme, enviro-friendly stink bug control, transformation in agriculture and the macadamia industry, an outlook on the global macadamia market, macadamia water use, tree diseases and pests and the management thereof.
The complete programmes for the Fire-Tech Day and the SAMAC Macadamia Industry Day are available on the website, www.agfo.co.za, and people interested in booking tickets can do so here.
A VIP networking event - for SAMAC Industry Day attendees and AGFO Expo exhibitors and sponsors only - will take place on Friday evening.
This year’s expo also includes various equipment demonstrations and the ever popular chainsaw competitions. Forestry companies and harvesting contractors are encouraged to enter their teams to stand a chance to win great prizes and walk away with the floating trophy, sponsored by Rudamans Nelspruit. Entry forms are available online at www.agfo.co.za.
Members of the public can enjoy various fun competitions, including tug of war, axe chopping, pit saw and boeresport. Take the family and relax in the ‘Chill Zone’ beer tent and enjoy a traditional South African braai and entertainment from local bands on Saturday. And, don’t miss the LEFPA Bomber fly by!
The AGFO Expo Trail Run, in aid of Hospice, also takes place on Saturday 10 November, with a choice of either a 5km or 10km race. Entry forms are available from Fit To Go Training Centre or email lindivr@gmail.com.
Win a bursary
One of AGFO’s prestige sponsors, Agricolleges International, is giving away four bursaries, namely Introduction to Plant Production; Introduction to Agribusiness; Fundamentals of Macadamia Production and a 40% contribution towards a National Certificate in General Agriculture. Entries are open until 31 October. Enter online at www.agfo.co.za, on the bursary tab.
AGFO organisers appreciate the support of its various sponsors, which are showcasing their support of the agriculture and forestry industries. Sponsors already onboard for AGFO 2018 include Agricolleges International and Mascor (prestige sponsors); Ezigro Seedlings (diamond sponsor); Novon Retail Company, Nedbank and Systeco Automation (gold sponsors); Adama, Silvix Forestry, United Forest Products, Sanlam, Green Farms Nut Company and GAC Laser (silver sponsors).
There are a limited number of exhibition stands and sponsorship opportunities still available.
For more information about AGFO 2018 and bookings for the SAMAC Industry Day and Fire-Tech Day, visit www.agfo.co.za or Facebook: @AgfoExpo; email: admin@agfo.co.za or contact 082 854 6155.
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Timber poachers fined
At least 26 people from Chipinge district last week paid a cumulative $2 800 in fines for breaching the Forests Act. The 26 offenders were nabbed during an operation code-named Osalama, which was led by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) supported by parastatals such as Zesa Holdings, Zimbabwe Rvenue Authority (Zimra)...read more
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‘Finish’ first: Timesavers' new deburring and grinding equipment on show at Euroblech 2018
Euroblech is arguably the world's ultimate trade exhibition for all those involved in steel processing. This year, leading abrasive finishing solutions provider Timesavers is showcasing a number of new machines at Euroblech, including the popular 42 RB Series. read more
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Tertiary institutions urged to embrace timber construction in engineering
The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), SAQA-accredited professional body for the engineered timber construction industry, has noted a decline in familiarity with timber as a building material among graduates of local tertiary level. read more
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Logging ban hurting furniture business, investor says
A foreign investor has decried the ban on logging, saying it is hurting their furniture business. PG Bison South Africa, which has more than 16 years of history in Kenya, wants the government to relook the policy. It was established in September 2002 to supply interior decorative building materials to the construction and furniture sector in East Africa. read more
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Seeing the ‘Good in Wood!’
In a joint article by Forestry South Africa & Sawmilling South Africa, Impact Magazine explores the ‘Good in Wood' & the benefits that come from using wood. Some of these are obvious, like job creation...read more
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China-U.S. trade dispute sparks uncertainty
The market uncertainty being caused by the China-U.S. trade dispute is now one of the most important topics to watch, even amid myriad changing developments & issues that continue to impact market dynamics worldwide. The first volley was made by the U.S., & then (on August 23) China retaliated with a 25% import tariff on U.S. SYP logs. read more
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The robots are coming - to wood manufacturing
Advanced Automation was a key component of the just completed WoodTECH 2018 series run for local wood manufacturers. In fact, one presenter discussed in New Zealand a local wood producer that has just integrated robotics into much of their new lumber manufacturing operation. read more
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Wood harvests expanding in Eastern Russia
Timber harvests in Russia were close to 190 million m3 in 2017, as estimated by WRI based on forest industry production, log usage and net exports of logs. The derived timber harvest was up approximately 6.2% from 2016 primarily due to higher log consumption by the softwood sawmilling sector and the pellet industry. read more
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Western Innovator: Going with mass timber
Russ Vaagen, whose family has a 66-year-long history in Washington state’s timber industry, sees a future in mass timber. The former president of family-owned Vaagen Brothers Lumber has founded a new company, Vaagen Timbers, which will produce mass timber products. Mass timber, also called engineered wood, includes cross laminated timber...read more
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Undulating airport rides wave of timber construction
Wooden construction is increasingly popular lately, and in the wake of innovative timber projects including towers, sports halls, and supertall skyscrapers, comes this recently-completed Philippine airport terminal. Primarily constructed from wood, it features a striking design inspired by rolling ocean waves and a stunning interior that highlights...read more
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Mass timber: Thinking big about sustainable construction
MIT class designs a prototype building to demonstrate that even huge buildings can be built primarily with wood. The construction and operation of all kinds of buildings uses vast amounts of energy and natural resources. Researchers around the world have therefore been seeking ways to make buildings more efficient and less dependent...read more
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Shell boss says mass reforestation needed to limit temperature rises to 1.5C
The boss of Shell has said a huge tree-planting project the size of the Amazon rainforest would be needed to meet a tougher global warming target, as he argued more renewable energy alone would not be enough. Ben van Beurden said it would be a major challenge to limit...read more
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New Report Highlights China's Government Policies and Supply Chain
Deep-dive study on the complex flow of logs and lumber within China reveals that considerable volumes are being ‘re-exported’ to other regions from the first port of entry. New Report Highlights Many Dynamics in China’s Government Policies and Wood Supply Chain. read more
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Autolog introduces GEN3 log optimizer
Autolog’s new Gen3 log optimizer features a scan density of 0.5-in. at 650 ft./min. Suitable for all types of optimized primary log breakdowns: log turner, log sorters, chipper canter, twin, quad, etc., it can replicate any curve sawing from a downstream machine. The log optimizer also features an easy comparison tool to analyze multiple simulation results. read more
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5 mistakes everybody makes with timber decking
Updating or repairing your deck can add value to your home and help you enjoy the outdoors more. However, if these updates aren’t done correctly, they can actually cause more problems than they solve. Timber is one of the most-used materials when it comes to outdoor additions to homes. read more
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Precision forestry: a revolution in the woods
This report by Harsh Choudhry & Glen O’Kelly for McKinsey & Company looks at which advanced technologies for forest management are most promising, & how forestry companies can start their digital transformation. The authors argue that while digital technology is revolutionising industries around the globe - from manufacturing to healthcare...read more
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NZ log export fallout from US trade disputes
New Zealand's export log market took a hit from the trade dispute between the US and China as the declining value of the yuan crimps the buying power of the country's largest log market. The average price for New Zealand A-grade export logs dropped to US$133/JAS from US$141/JAS in August, and US$145/JAS in July, and is now the lowest...read more
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The Global Forest Industry in the 2Q/2018 read more
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Exports of softwood lumber from Russia, Germany and the Nordic countries have increased read more
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SAPLA TIMBERS - Property for sale / rent
The property was being utilized as a sawmill but the sawmill is no longer in use and is not included in the sale of the property.
The property can be used for industrial, agricultural and/or purely residential.
Located on the District Road D244 Dargle in the KZN Midlands. 5km off the Tar Road (P134) with easy access to the Midlands and N2.
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To list your vacant positions here, e-mail: bronwyn@fevertreeemployment.com
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