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Sawmilling South Africa News
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Given the tough economic and turbulent times, its become ever more important for SSA to continue to represent sawmillers on many matters affecting them and their business. Together we represent a significant voice, and as a group, we make a positive difference. As the year progresses, we hope to continue earning your trust and loyalty. We are working very hard on your behalf to protect the interests of the sawmilling industry in which we live and work. During the year ahead, we intend to continue demonstrating the value of your membership through tangible and intangible benefits.
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Last month we said that there were certain sawmillers in the country who were describing the current situation with sales as “not yet as bad as expected” and maybe this is true for one or two, but the vast majority of millers are certainly finding trading conditions extremely tight and slow, with some even considering slowing down until things improve. We know the cause of this, the state of the building and construction sector, and so hope that the finance minister has some better news for the builders in the upcoming budget speech.
Your ExCom met in JHB a week or two ago, and decided that we should get together with the good people at Crickmay to discuss ways and means to improve the intelligence we get from the Lumber Index. This monthly publication, that has proved to be such a helpful tool in the past, we feel needs a little expansion, and so we are appealing to all millers who have any ideas as to how or what could be included or excluded to the index to please contact us here at the association (sawmillingsa@icloud.com) and we will put your ideas on the agenda for when we meet with Crickmay.
Also present at the ExCom meeting were Dr Brand Wessels and Dr Phillip Crafford who were there to present the work that Phillip has done so far on the website that will form the basis of the “Timber Institute”. This is an initiative between SSA and the University to make a home for all the technical information about timber and its multiple uses.
Once the site goes live it will be aimed at architects and engineers as a reference for them when designing with timber. Not only professionals, but even the man on the street will find all his answers here in one website.
The Forestry Council met just a week ago and two of the more important issues for sawmillers coming out of the meeting were the renewed attention that the Exit areas, and fire reparations in the Southern Cape are receiving from all government departments. This is also evident from the agenda at meetings of the PPGI, where it is receiving attention from the very top. Let’s hope that this time we see some action from the authorities.
Other good news for those in Mpumalanga is that it was announced that the Minister of Public Enterprise has finally signed off on the SAFCOL BEE facilitator status. We now hope that the DTI will rush it through on their side.
Talking about the DTI, they announced at the meeting, that all their incentives offered to the fibre processing sector were only accessible to qualifying businesses that had achieved a BEE level 4 or below.
By now most of you will be aware that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) has been increased by 3,8%. This means that the hourly rate for sawmill workers should go up to R20.76 and the rate for farm workers to R18.68 from 1 March 2020.
Well that’s it for another month, so until March, keep cutting straight and drying flat.
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Cheers until next time.
Roy Southey
Executive Director: Sawmilling South Africa
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Structural timber: Know your standard dimensions, truss types and profiles
South Africa's unique climate, combined with specie matching and genetic engineering conducted for over a century by local forestry and sawmilling industries, underpins the country's structural lumber products as truly world class. With that, there are critical guidelines around standard dimensions of structural timber, truss types and their profiles that must be adhered to in order to meet standard building regulations for a compliant, safe and long-lasting timber structure. read more
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NRCS promises action on illegal treatment by end of March
The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has promised to address the serious problems regarding the growing illegal timber treatment industry by the end of the first quarter of 2020. read more
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Welcome to Silverwood, our first Kenyan customer
Dolphin Bay has signed an agreement with our first customer in Kenya: Silverwood, a large operation that produces utility poles for the country’s electrification programmes. Based in Eldoret, the capital of the wood-treatment industry in the country, Silverwood is one of the most active treatment plants in Kenya. read more
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First Cut’s Bremsaw acquisition a springboard to the Mpumalanga sawmilling and timber industry
Mpumalanga, and its capital Mbombela, is the centre of South Africa’s sawmilling and timber industry. When the cutting equipment supplier and blade sharpener Bremsaw was up for sale, First Cut saw this as an ideal opportunity to further its presence in the Mpumalanga timber industry. read more
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Roof inspection workshops come to JHB & CT in May
The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa, the SAQA accredited Professional Body safeguarding the local timber construction industry for over 45 years, will be hosting CPD-accredited workshops on Understanding Roof Inspections in Johannesburg and Cape Town from 12 to 14 May 2020. read more
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A call for compliant wood-packaging material in international trade
In the context of ensuring fair and safe trade as well as observing the International Year of Plant Health 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is making a clarion call to the exporters. read more
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Construction Sector Braces For A Stormy Year
South Africa’s distressed construction sector is facing a host of risks and challenges this year. These include the continuing shortage of major projects, non-payment by government and other state entities. read more
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Study: Buildings can become carbon sink if wood replaces cement, steel
Replacing cement and steel in urban construction by wood could avoid greenhouse gas emissions from cement and steel production and turn buildings into a carbon sink, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany (PIK) announced on Monday. Depending on the scenario, between 10 million tons and close to 700 million tons of carbon could be saved every year, according to a PIK study. read more
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VACANCIES
To list your vacant positions here, e-mail: bronwyn@fevertreeemployment.com
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