Time flies in a sector where science meets productivity, on the ground and in the factory. Red tape and officialdom throw the odd curveball, but our industry associations and leaders are capable, proactive and quick to field them.
We held back the August issue to attend three major events. In the first week of September, I attended the 9th International Scientific Conference on Hardwoods Programme (ISCHP26) and the IUFRO Hardwoods Working Group conference, both hosted by Stellenbosch University.
In the second week, I attended the 4th annual Growing Timber Connections Colloquium and Conference at the University of Pretoria. That week, Mickey also marketed our services at the Timber Connections Exhibition and the second Nukor BoardTech Expo.
Conferences are always interesting and full of learning, meetings, camaraderie and informal chats that lead to new perspectives. It is at times like these that we realise how precious in-person conversations, handshakes, hugs and laughter are.
In this edition, we provide a brief overview of the Stellenbosch event and will continue the hardwoods conversation next month by linking it to the Pretoria colloquium. A standout theme is that engineered timber structures are here to stay, and that eucalyptus is moving from being a source of fibre to structural applications.
Our cover sponsor, Hitachi, explains its total cost of ownership advantage. We also report on the benefits of FSC chain of custody and project certifications, and we meet the Tullis family of Khulani Timbers, who describe their trusty Bell loggers and fleet.
We touch on kitchen trends, and you can learn about the benefits of joining the SA Furniture Initiative (SAFI). There is also an article about the Malaysian Timber Council and how its tropical timber certification system works.
You can also read about how our regular correspondent, David Marks, exercised his quirky creativity to design a timber ball of dung, resplendent with two giant dung beetles that lights up, commissioned by the City of Cape Town.
Until next time
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ForSawn Media, the publisher of WoodBiz Africa, has acquired SA Forestry and its related media offerings, effective 1 September 2024. The merger consolidates the efforts of both platforms into a new brand, symbolising our enhanced capacity to serve the forestry and wood products sector.
SA Forestry is an iconic brand and an invaluable voice and record of the development of the forestry industry in Southern Africa. SA Forestry’s long-time editor, Chris Chapman, is the Contributing Editor and part of the team ensuring a seamless transition and continuity in the quality of content you have come to expect.
WoodBiz Africa’s strength lies in its expanding audience of architects, engineers, designers, developers and suppliers in the built environment while serving foresters, sawmillers, wood processors, kitchen, furniture and shopfitting manufacturers, researchers, engineered timber products producers and the woody biomass industry.
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