As the year draws to a close, we want to thank all our advertisers, contributors, interviewees, support staff and readers for your loyal support, both in these pages and across our websites. You make it possible for us to keep telling the stories that matter.
Machines and industrial technologies are ineffective without people to operate them. Safety and productivity go hand in hand, and this month we feature the Stihl MS 382 chainsaw, a powerhouse known for its field reliability and performance, and Ewald Klingenberg and his company’s new Bell forwarder, which is advancing efficiency in their operations. Sappi Forests’ regional teams have achieved record lost-time injury-free milestones, demonstrating what’s possible when safety becomes a core value in a company.
Sappi and Wits University have renewed their partnership to help build forest resilience in the face of climate change. Kudos to Prof Mary Scholes and her multi-disciplinary and inter-university teams for their extraordinary efforts in driving this vital work.
Further on, we explore JP van der Merwe’s research detailing how York Timbers is using high-resolution climate, terrain, and species data to future-proof their silviculture regimes. It shows the value of big data in forestry planning, ensuring a sustainable supply of high-quality raw materials for the growth of the economy.
The recent Green Building Council convention was a milestone event for the mass timber movement in South Africa. The York Timbers Chair at the University of Pretoria brought “Timber transformed” to life with a standout exhibit and targeted workshop, putting timber’s potential in the built environment firmly in the spotlight.
You will also find highlights from SAFCA’s annual contractor gathering, a practical guide from David Marks on building helical staircases using traditional techniques, and a heartwarming peek at Arxada’s annual graduation and festive party for the children at Vulingqondo Creche.
If you are taking a break over the next few days and weeks, enjoy the holiday. If you are working over the festive season, please stay safe. We look forward to reconnecting in the new year with more inspiring stories, fresh insights, and shared successes.
Joy Crane and Mickey Petersen
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.
WoodBiz Africa & SA Forestry presents comprehensive and insightful coverage of the circular forest-based bioeconomy in Africa. We are committed to delivering the best content about and for our sector.
