Change the world

15/03/2013

NMMU George recently hosted the Southern Cape members of Sawmilling South Africa (SSA). This event forms part of SSA’s initiative to have regional information sessions throughout the country to keep individual members of the Sawmilling Industry up to date with current affairs.  Experts gathered at the Pampoenkraal Conference Centre at Saasveld to provide information and to discuss topical industry issues.

SSA’s Executive Director, Roy Southey, commenced the proceedings by presenting an overview of the current industry in South Africa. Other presenters included Mrs Mandy Allpass of Crickmay who discussed the most recent industry statistics; Brand Wessels who gave feedback on the most recent developments emanating from the research being done for the industry at Stellenbosch University. Richard Muller, Programme Co-ordinator for Wood Technology at NMMU provided information on his Solar Kiln for the drying of hardwoods, while Cobus Raubenheimer of VBV Holdings shared details of their Gasification Plant at Melanie in the Eastern Cape. This plant runs off sawmill biomass and currently supplies a bakery with its electricity requirements.

Intent on optimising this industry opportunity, some members of SSA also joined the Forestry SA (FSA) meeting hosted by NMMU George in the afternoon.

Photograph: Representatives of the Southern Cape Sawmilling industry who attended a regional information session of Sawmilling South Africa (SSA) at NMMU George recently were:

Back, from left: Sanjay Reewith (PG Bison, Thesens), Roy Southey (Executive Director Sawmilling SA), Ms Mandy Allpass (Crickmay & Associates), Jaco Oosthuyzen (Cape Pine), Irwin Kanyemba (Cape Pine), Brand Wessels (University of Stellenbosch), Karl-Heinz Niemann (Cape Pine), Martin van Niekerk (Cape Pine) and Cobus Raubenheimer (VBV Holdings)

Front, from left: Charl Sparks (Geelhoutvlei Timbers), Shaun Westcott (AC Whitcher), Barry Muller and Richard Muller (both from NMMU George, Saasveld)

Contact information
Ms Alet van Tonder
Manager: Marketing & Corporate Relations
Tel: 27 44 801 5098
alet.vantonder@mandela.ac.za