october 2016 vol. 41. no. 12 · 2 october 2016 // wood southern africa & timber times october...

October 2016 Vol. 41. No. 12

1October 2016 // Wood Southern Africa & Timber Times

October 2016 Vol. 41 No.12

Editorial ..................................................................................................................... 2

ForestryCover story: Saws for a Cause: Join in the fight with Husqvarna and #go pink this month ........................................................ 4

G&K Mouldings increases wet mill production with a second Bell logger ............................................................................................. 6

Female saw users opt for Husqvarna’s battery powered products .............................................................................................. 9

Innovation powers Stihl from good to better to brilliant ................. 12

Local fabricator, Matriarch, field tests new Skogger and Fastfell machines ...................................................................................... 15

In my opinion: Is tropical forest logging sustainable? ..................... 17

Dezzi clocks 20 years’ service to the forestry industry ..................... 18

Distinguished Forestry Award........................................................................ 20

Saving rhinos with Saws for a Cause ...................................................... 20

Local is still “lekker” with new Bell L-series TLB ...................................... 22

sawmillingWeza Sawmill starts up new Holtec long-log handling line ......... 24

Midlands Pine Products optimises production with wideband systems ...................................................................................................................... 27

Wood-Mizer Titan continues to open doors for Patula Sawmills ..................................................................................................... 29

First Cut: 60 years and counting .................................................................. 32

Microtec’s whole tree log scanner wins award ................................. 34

Weinig acquires Weinig Grecon ................................................................ 33

WoodMac China 2017 postponed ............................................................ 33

Elegant Roofing reaps benefits of Biligom beams ........................... 36

MiTek Top-Hat profiles provide savings for timber roof structures ........................................................................................................ 38

Safety overhead: The importance of roof maintenance ............. 42

About the ITC-SA .................................................................................................. 42

LCP’s Inspecta app makes roof inspections for SANS 10400 A19 Certificate easy ................................................................ 45

LCP Inspecta app helps stop illegal roof inspections ..................... 48

Modern modular timber homes from Swissline grow in popularity ........................................................................................................... 49

woodworkingAmerican hard woods make Akin Dubai a hipster barber shop ........................................................................................................... 53

Studio Bruno Guelaff wins AHEC award ................................................ 56

Festool launches its Sysrock BR10 construction site radio ............ 66

Karen Boshoff wins the PG Bison 1.618 student design competition ............................................................................................................ 69

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2 October 2016 // Wood Southern Africa & Timber Times

October 2016 Vol. 41 No. 12

Publisher: Ken Nortje [email protected]

Editor: Joy Crane [email protected] 082-3300777Sales manager: Sophia Nel [email protected]

Marketing and advertising: Mickey Petersen [email protected] 082 321 0371

Secretary: Yoland Lintott [email protected]

Production: Johan Malherbe Precious Moeng

Accounts: [email protected]

Circulation: Marius Nel [email protected]

Dispatch: Willie Molefe

Published and distributed by the proprietor: Malnor (Pty) Limited.

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editorial

The times they are a-changing

I had just finished reading the biography of Steve Jobs, the pioneer of the micro-computer revolution and co-founder of Apple Inc, when the news broke that Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel prize in literature. For the Y-generation and millennials, out there, both Jobs (an ardent Dylan fan) and Dylan were innovators who thought and did things differently.

Jobs’ said “One of my mantras is focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

Dylan is an American songwriter, musician, singer, author and artist and painter. He was booed and chastised by his fans and fellow musicians when he incorporated the electric guitar in his music, however they finally had to accept that technology is inevitable.

Remote controlled gate openers and televisions have been around for decades. Our smart phones and the myriad of apps that make our lives easier, also control our leisure activities and report to “the cloud” exactly where we

are. However, we have no choice: embrace it or hate it, technology and automation systems are here to stay.

The use of drones in forestry mapping, harvesting, and firefighting applications, and the rugby ball carrying remote controlled buggy, are well known. But did you know that droids can count and pick fruit, herd sheep (my border collie was horrified) and tell the difference between weeds and seedlings and poison only the weeds? Look at the “Farm Robots” video posted by New Scientist, and see the future of agro-processing.

Last month we mentioned that local manufacturer, Hin-Tech, is developing the first remote controlled shovel yarder. Although the aim is to make the operator’s job safer, it will also increase productivity. In this issue, there are many stories on how technology keeps evolving.

For example, we describe how Weza’s log yard has been transformed to automatically process logs ranging from 2.4m to 24m in length, Microtec’s whole tree log scanner wins a prestigious award, LCP Roofing launches its Inspecta roof inspections app, and how a German joinery company has networked all its business practices.

The point is that new technology will not necessarily replace old technology, but it will date it. But it's like people who had black-and-white TVs when colour came out. They eventually decided the new technology was worth the investment.

To quote Dylan: “You better start swimming or sink like a stone, ‘cause the times they are a-changing.”

w

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SAWS FOR A CAUSE Join in the fight with Husqvarna and #goPink this month!Husqvarna, one of the world’s leading producers of forest, park and garden products, has partnered with local charity, PinkDrive, to raise the bar for breast cancer awareness during the months of October and November 2016.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death for females, and is the second most common cancer overall. There is currently no cure for breast cancer which is why research

is of vital importance.

“There are thousands of women foresters and arborists around the world. With this campaign we want to honour

this group of often forgotten tree-care experts who are out in the field every day taking care of our parks and forests,” says Adrian Beaumont, country manager – sales and marketing at Husqvarna South Africa.

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Husqvarna has launched a global campaign to raise awareness and donations. The company has produced a limited

Husqvarna and PinkDrive raise funds for breast cancer research with the limited edition pink chainsaw


Cove

r Story

Fast facts on the 450 rancher 50.2 cc • 2.4kW • 15” bar • chain pitch .325” • 5.1kg

Powerful, all-round saw • A favourite amongst farmers and part-time users who • require a high performing sawX-Torq® engine means lower fuel consumption & • reduced emissionsAuto return stop switch• Tool-less chain tensioner• Visible fuel level • Equipped with SmartStart®• Flip-up tank cap•

edition pink toy chainsaw, available exclusively through participating Husqvarna servicing dealers while stocks last. Any customer who spends a minimum of R2 500 in any Husqvarna dealership between 1 October - 15 November 2016 will go into the draw and stand a chance to win a limited edition pink 450 Rancher chainsaw valued at R8 000.

“Husqvarna’s Saws for A Cause initiative is a global campaign designed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer charities,” says Beaumont. “We all know someone who has been affected by some form of cancer and we all understand the importance of early detection. PinkDrive is dedicated to providing a free women’s health service to the medically uninsured in South Africa and advocating for change in the cancer space. Husqvarna is honoured to partner with PinkDrive to help raise the bar for breast cancer awareness”.

The pink 450 Rancher chainsaw from Husqvarna


Fore

stry G&K Mouldings increases wet mill

production with a second Bell loggerThe scarcity of timber and an unfavourable rand/dollar exchange rate prompted G & K Mouldings in the Western Cape’s Garden Route to invest in timber handling equipment from Bell Equipment.

G & K Mouldings is pleased with the consumption of its Bell 225A loggers at between six and eight litres an hour infield and only five litres an hour at the mill

>>8

G & K Mouldings is owned by Gerhard and Karin Botha, the company is located on the premises of the furniture factory, Botha & Barnard.

Gerhard Botha and his sister Inge are the third generation of the Botha clan and are continuing the family tradition in the timber industry. Their grandfather, Gert Botha, established Botha & Barnard as a furniture-making business in 1950. After Gert’s passing in 1986 his son, Koos, took over the business along with his wife, Marlene, and Gert’s widow, Danes, who at a spritely 88 is still involved in daily affairs.

Botha & Barnard manufactures solid wood furniture from a wide variety of indigenous woods. Their products include traditional and contemporary South African furniture designs made by experienced artisans. “My father, Koos, spent some time in the building industry before taking over the business from our late grandfather,” says Gerhard.

“He saw a gap in the building materials market and encouraged us to include timber based items specifically for the building industry, says Gerhard.

Gerhard and his wife, Karin, started G & K Mouldings in 2004 as an affiliate of Botha & Barnard. They produce and sell solid wood structural products including skirtings, architraves for doors and windows, flooring and decking.

The company grew, and in 2006 they built and moved into their own sawmill adjacent to the furniture factory. Their products are supplied to most parts of the Eastern and Western Cape.

“About 80% of the wood we use is locally grown pine but in certain cases we also use exotic hardwoods such as meranti and saligna,” Gerhard explains. “We import American oak and ash as well as balau, a timber from the Far East which is great for decking,” he says.

“We try and source pine in a radius of less than 120km from our sawmill but this has become difficult of late due to increased competition for the resource. Importing timber

Gerhard Botha of G & K Mouldings


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from page 6G&K Mouldings increases wet mill production with a second Bell logger

has also become prohibitively expensive due to the rand/dollar exchange rates.

“During the second half of 2015, we hit on the idea to approach private growers and harvest pine ourselves by felling, extracting and hauling it to our mill to ensure an uninterrupted supply. This has given our business a new sense of sustainability, and in the process created additional jobs.”

G & K Mouldings has been able to source mature pine trees from compartments above the Knysna forests, which does not make the haul to their mill too far. The terrain is however very steep in places and Gerhard soon realised that an effective timber handling tool would be imperative to the success of sorting and stacking timber at roadside depots.

“Having researched the subject quite extensively, I had no hesitation in speaking to Bell Equipment about their Bell 225A crank boom logger as their machine really does sell itself in this application,” Gerhard says. “I have heard other contractors and our own staff refer to the machine not as a logger but simply ‘the Bell’. This to me was proof that this machine has a good reputation within the timber harvesting and handling industry and was worth buying.”

G & K Mouldings’ harvesting team consists of 12 people who do the felling, de-branching and crosscutting using chainsaws. “Once we’ve extracted the felled timber to the roadside, we use our Bell logger to sort and stack it for further processing,” Gerhard says.

“When it has been crosscut to the required lengths, the three-wheeled logger loads it onto the trucks for haulage to our mill by a contractor. The mill has a daily intake of between 60 and 70 cubic metres. Were it not for this machine we would have absolutely no hope of attaining these targets.

“Since buying our first 225A logger, we realised that a second machine would be a real asset to our wet-mill operation and we brought this plan to fruition in May 2016, when we took delivery of a second Bell 225A logger.

“It has really smoothed out the unloading of timber trucks and the feeding of the three lines at our mill. The speed with which it works means that we can get everything necessary done within a single shift during daylight hours, which is ideal from a cost and safety point of view.”

As with any production process, overhead costs are watched and with diesel consumption being a major part of that cost, Gerhard is pleased with the consumption of the Bell 225A logger at between six and eight litres an hour infield and only five litres an hour at the mill.

“I’ve learnt a great deal about timber harvesting in a relatively short time. An important thing is that we cannot do without our Bell loggers and that to really speed things up with our infield extraction we need to seriously consider buying a John Deere 640L cable skidder. But that is still a long term goal,” Gerhard says.

The first Bell 225A Crank Boom Logger was bought to sort and stack timber at roadside depots for further processing. Once crosscut to the required lengths, this timber is then loaded by the Bell Logger onto trucks that haul the timber to the mill


ADVERTORIALFo

restryFemale saw users opt for Husqvarna’s

battery powered productsHusqvarna recently added a new chapter to its history of innovation: the Husqvarna Battery Series, which offers professionals and homeowners battery products that do not compromise on the power, performance and intuitive design expected from Husqvarna.

Adrian Beaumont, country manager – sales and marketing at Husqvarna South Africa says that these products are quiet, clean, convenient to operate, and the long-lasting

lithium-ion batteries ensure the professional results that are required.

“And because our battery products are also lightweight and ergonomic, it’s no surprise that they are fast becoming a favourite with female users.”

Husqvarna’s range of professional battery products includes brush cutters, clearing saws, pole saws, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, top handle saws and blowers.

Beaumont says these tools are revolutionizing the working lives of arborists, farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers and gardeners across the globe.

“Our Saws for A Cause Breast Cancer Awareness campaign is just one way in which Husqvarna shows consideration for the needs of the fairer sex.

Beaumont describes the benefits of Husqvarna’s battery powered tools:

Comfortable to useOur battery products have a compact, slimmed-down design, exceptional balance, low weight, comfortable handle grips and intuitive controls allowing you to work comfortably in all situations.

Simple operationSmart and intuitive, our battery machines are operated using an interactive keypad. Start and stop the machine easily with the push of a button.

Husqvarna says its battery powered product range are perfect for operators of the fairer sex

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from page 9Female saw users opt for Husqvarna’s battery powered products

Low maintenanceNo refilling of fuel, less parts to service and an electronically controlled drive system means less downtime and low operating costs.

One battery fits allOur batteries are quick to recharge and even quicker to swap. You can even opt for a comfortable backpack battery to keep you going all day long.

No fumes and less NoiseWith no fumes, Husqvarna battery products are clean and pleasant to use. And their quiet, powerful, electric motors mean you can start working earlier, even in noise-sensitive areas.

High performanceHusqvarna brushless motors offer light, durable efficiency and superior torque to many petrol machines. Use with the #6V Li-ion battery pack for long-lasting power.

Lasting powerThe Li-ion 36V batteries provide long lasting power and top class performance. They are equipped with a cooling system, which extends the battery cells’ lifetime and allows you to work in high temperatures.

All weather useWhatever the weather, the Husqvarna Battery Series keeps on working. Rain, humidity or heat won't stop them.

“Husqvarna’s battery products are tough, efficient, slimmed down, ergonomic, easy to operate and maintain and kind to the environment. If you want to know what women want from an outdoor power product, this is the answer,” says Beaumont.

For more information about Husqvarna,

visit www.husqvarna.co.za or

follow @Husqvarna_Za on twitter.


ADVERTORIALFo

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ry

Innovation powers STIHL from good to better to brilliantSTIHL is the world’s best-selling chainsaw brand, with investment in research and development that ensures the constant upgrading of its products. The latest STIHL chainsaw to be released locally is the MS 382, the enhanced version of the legendary MS 381, which until now has been the top selling STIHL chainsaw in South Africa.

Specially designed for the rigorous demands of professional forestry and agricultural applications, the 3,8kW MS 382 is a worthy heir to the MS 381 legacy. This is a robust fuel-powered chainsaw that

is ergonomic and lightweight (6.2kg) with an excellent power to weight ratio and numerous enhanced features. While lightweight to work with, it’s no lightweight when it comes to delivery.

Impressively economicalThe MS 382 has a modern two-mix motor that delivers impressive fuel consumption, up to 20 percent less than previous models. The STIHL Ematic™ bar lubrication system adds to the MS 382’s economy, ensuring longer wear and reducing chain oil consumption compared to conventional methods of chain lubrication - up to 50 percent less depending on the cutting attachment and the type of wood being cut. The enhanced oil pump has a one-gear drive system and ensures a consistent and steady flow of oil to the saw chain links and guide bar rails.

Other upgraded features include an optimised crankshaft and an improved completely aluminium flywheel with fewer fins that offers better cooling. Because there is less

rotating mass, there is reduced wear on the main bearing and the crankshaft, resulting in enhanced reliability. The new-look starter has a wheel made of polymer instead of aluminium for improved cooling; as less dirt enters the cylinder fins, so there is less wear and less frequent need for maintenance.

Jonathan Rencken, forestry manager for Tree Fall Harvesters, whose teams have been working with the MS 382 for the past few months, says “This is a hassle-free machine that offers better fuel economy – we find we are saving a tank of petrol a day per machine, which is a significant saving.”

His comments are supported by Andre Barnardo, procurement and harvesting manager for Treated Timber Products, who says, “The MS 382 has a lot of power yet is lighter than the MS 381, which makes my team happy. In addition, we are saving almost a litre and a half of fuel per daily set task.”

The MS 382 has been developed to deliver an impressive professional-grade performance. It is easier to service, more cost-effective to maintain, and more comfortable to

The new 3,8kW STIHL MS 382 chainsaw is a worthy heir to the MS 381 legacy

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from page 12Innovation powers STIHL from good to better to brilliant

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operate, with reduced noise levels, lower emissions and a lighter, ergonomic design for less operator fatigue during extended work periods.

STIHL quality and focus on serviceWhether STIHL develops a machine for heavy-duty professional work or the less strenuous demands of home-use applications, there is never a compromise in standard or innovative features. STIHL is one of the few manufacturers to control the quality of its power tools by producing elements such as the chain and guide bars, carburettors, crankshafts, pistons, cylinders, and outer housings.

STIHL in South Africa maintains high stock levels of machines and spares so that STIHL owners never have to wait for products or spares to be imported. STIHL also offers a ten year spares availability guarantee after a product has been discontinued.

Supported by the nationwide network of STIHL dealer outlets that offer expert advice, servicing and spares, the new STIHL MS 382 chainsaw continues to maintain the STIHL legacy of powerful performance, top quality products and superb after-sales service.

The MS 382 chainsaw is light, fuel-efficient and cost-effective to maintain, and is operator-friendly


Fore

stryLocal fabricator, Matriarch, field tests new Skogger and FASTfell machinesMatriarch Equipment is officially launching its two new product offerings for forestry: The Skogger timber extraction machine, and a feller buncher called the FASTfell, in January 2017

With its factory located in the heart of Zululand’s timber and sugarcane growing area outside Richards Bay on the east coast of South Africa; Matriarch Equipment is a

family run business serious about providing cost effective and competitive handling solutions to the timber industry.

The company was established in 2009 by brothers, Justin and Ashley Bell, who identified a gap in the market to develop a basket of niche products for use in both timber harvesting and sugarcane extraction and loading operations. Their younger brother Kelvin and father Peter, soon joined the company to develop engineering solutions for agricultural applications, particularly the timber industry.

SkoggerThe Skogger is a four-wheel drive machine designed with the primary application of timber accumulation and extraction. It is an articulated, hydrostatically driven machine equipped with a 0.5 square metre grapple. Safety and ergonomic considerations include an air-conditioned cab and a 180 degrees swivelling seat for enhanced operator visibility when reversing with a load of timber.

Ashley Bell says the Skogger is unique as it can be classified as a hybrid between a skidder and a logger. “It has the finesse and ability to accumulate timber in field and extract the load. The Skogger boom configuration allows it to be used to sort, stack and load timber with ease.

“We understand that a weakening currency and the discontinuation of smaller skidder models by some of the big manufacturers has put forestry companies under considerable cost pressure with few alternatives. We feel the size and versatility of the Skogger will assist in filling this gap,” says Ashley.

Matriarch have had a prototype Skogger model in operation for over a year now, and the first production machine will roll off the factory floor by the end of this year.

FASTfell The FASTfell is a low-cost production feller buncher. “We initially realised the need for such a machine when testing the Skogger. We found that the accumulation process would be a lot more efficient if the timber was uniformly presented to the Skogger,” says Justin.

The FASTfell is a hydrostatically driven machine with a low centre of gravity and a rubber mounted air-conditioned operator cab with excellent all-around visibility and protection. The Matriarch MT50FH in-house developed felling head is equipped with a 750mm saw bar, using 0.404 pitch chain, an auto-chain tensioning system, and is capable of handling tree diameters of up to 525mm.

“The low capital acquisition cost coupled with low running costs on this unit makes it an ideal production tool for both clear-fell and thinnings operations whilst at the same time enhancing safety in the work environment for the operator,” Justin adds.

The prototype Skogger is undergoing a robust testing regime and the first production unit will be ready at the end of the year

The soon to be launched Matriarch FASTFell feller-buncher in action

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from page 15Local fabricator, Matriarch, field tests new Skogger and FASTfell machines

This business is in our bloodDue to the lengthy process of developing a complete purpose built machine, in 2009 the brothers initially developed a range of timber handling grapples for cranes and excavators. “Timber grapples were a good start-up product for our company as it allowed us to set up our manufacturing systems and processes on a relatively simple product” explains Ashley.

A critical element to any equipment manufacturing business is research and development; which is a major focal point within Matriarch. The Bell family are keen to explore new territories and market opportunities for its products. “This business is in our blood, we are continuously looking at ways of doing things better and improving on the products we offer,” says Ashley.

Today Matriarch Equipment is a well-established supplier of timber grapples with a comprehensive range from 0.35 to 1.8 square metres capacity models. “We have developed the MT600 heavy duty whole-stem grapple following a request from New Zealand, where we currently have a unit on test. We have also given our range of grapples a revamp in the form of the 36LX and 42LX models,” says Kelvin.

“The design philosophy of the Matriarch Equipment team hinges on a balance between durability, productivity, efficiency and affordability.” Matriarch Equipment is shipping its products to customers throughout Africa, and to Indonesia, Malaysia and South America.”

Matriarch’s MT600 grapple mounted on an excavator loads logs onto a trailer


Fore

stryIs tropical forest logging sustainable?By Michal Brink, director of CMO

IN MY OPINION

I often get frowned upon for being involved in tropical forest harvesting activities as many people believe that any harvesting in the tropics contributes to the destruction of the rain forests. This even includes some

of my lesser informed forestry colleagues.

The question of sustainability is linked to two definite approaches by the companies who own concessions in the tropics - those who wish to manage their concessions responsibly and those who don't. The responsible operators are the ones that we work with and they are usually certified under a forest certification system such as the forest stewardship council (FSC).

Responsible forest management has three legs to it:1. Economic feasibility2. Environmentally responsible 3. Socially agreeable4.

So, by complying to the norms and requirements that encapsulate the above, these companies are logging the forest in such a way that if we were to be able to take a glimpse 1000 years into the future, then the forests on their concessions will still be there.

A few facts to substantiate this:

These companies do an inventory of the whole forest • before starting their harvesting activities

Only trees with a diameter in excess of a certain • minimum threshold is harvested. In the Congo basin for example, only trees larger than around 70 to 90cm are cut down, depending on the species. Young trees are left to grow.

Forests are never clear-felled - only thinned. In fact, • on average only one tree is removed from the concession forest land per hectare every 35 years! That means removing one tree every 35 years from each area that is more or less the size of a football field.

It is virtually impossible to identify extraction routes that • were used within the forest some five years after a harvesting operation is completed.

No trees of importance to communities are removed • or damaged.

Trees are removed in consideration of conservation • values such as larger mammal habitats (gorilla, chimpanzee, elephant, etc.).

Many (if not most) operators in tropical forests are not • following such practices though and the sooner their operations are stopped, the better.

Innovative forestry fundi, Michal Brink

A tropical hardwood forest destroyed by shifting cultivation practiced on a large scale by local communities


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Dezzi clocks 20 years’ service to the forestry industryAn early morning helicopter flight in the co-pilot seat from Port Shepstone was a first for Wood SA, and a fitting way to greet the first forestry industry beast called the Dezzi, way back in 1996.

From humble beginnings with one Dezzi 1700 front end loader with a timber grab, the Gutzeit family and its company, Desmond Equipment SA has broadened this base to include a range of

options for forestry materials handling and building and maintaining forest roads.

The company, owned by the Gutzeit Family, was established in 1973 as a transport and plant refurbishment business. In 1995 they took stock of their achievements and realised that their factory was large enough, fully equipped and staffed with employees with the right skills

and values to begin manufacturing its own vehicles and attachments.

Production began with the Dezzi front end loader in 1996, and the reaction from industry resulted in three loaders being manufactured and sold in the first year and five units in 1997. In 1998 sales of the front end loaders achieved three percent of the market.

Carl Gutzeit says that since 1998, Desmond Equipment has introduced a new Dezzi product every year and currently enjoys a population of nearly 4000 units. The range now

includes wheeled loaders, haulage tractors, articulated 4x4 haulers, articulated 6x6, 6x4 and 4x4 dump trucks and timber trucks, and a purpose built tipper trailer, three-wheel cane and timber loaders, and a grader.

“We have identified an additional gap in the timber market and are currently developing another new and exciting model in our line-up…. watch this space,” says Gutzeit.

Desmond Equipment’s Dezzi AT20B articulated timber truck

The Dezzi timber loader in full swing

19October 2016 // Wood Southern Africa & Timber Times 19


Distinguished Forestry Award

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Saving rhinos with Saws for a Cause

The devastating decline in our rhino population – and the poachers’ savagery – was one of the issues on the agenda at this year’s CITES COP17 Conference recently held in Johannesburg. Sadly, the battle for the animal’s survival has been a losing one, until recently.

A local rhino-dehorning campaign, using Husqvarna outdoor power products, is proving highly successful in the bid to save these beautiful animals from poachers. The 700ha

Gwahumbe Game & Spa in Mid-Illovo, KwaZulu-Natal, is the latest private reserve to join the ranks of others which have dehorned their rhinos. Its partnership with Husqvarna and Hilton veterinary surgeon Dr Ryan van Deventer should ensure the survival of the lodge’s last remaining male rhino, eight-year-old Vuyo, and finally allow the expansion of its herd.

The de-horning process was first used to help reduce poaching pressure in Zimbabwe in the 1980s. When rhinos are dehorned professionally, the horn is taken above the growth layer of the skin. Rhino horn is like a fingernail: you can cut it or trim it without stopping continued growth. But poachers brutally uproot the entire horn from its base under the skin in the bone, often resulting in the animal’s death.

The Southern African Institute of Forestry (SAIF) recently bestowed the Distinguished Forestry Award on Prof Coert Geldenhuys. The October issue of the SAIF newsletter paid tribute to Prof Geldenhuys:

Coert Geldenhuys has certainly done the professional forestry industry proud throughout his career. He even has a tree species named after him! He has over 40

years work in research, resource use management, forest rehabilitation and education/training in natural forest and woodland, including forest harvesting and forest rehabilitation systems. His hobbies are woodwork and hiking.

Born in Mthata in the Eastern Cape, Coert gained his MSc degree in forestry at the University of Stellenbosch and began his career as a forest ecologist in 1969, working for a branch of the South African Forestry Research Institute. Over the next 23 years he was responsible for initiating and developing a research programme for the ecology and management of the natural evergreen forests and woodland of South Africa. This experience led to similar work in Botswana, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Madagascar.

In 1997 he formed his own company, Forestwood, to carry out his specialisations, including forest inventories and forest type classification in the natural forests and woodlands of South Africa, southern and central Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His field experience covers temperate and tropical forests in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Brazil, and several European countries.

In addition, he teaches various forestry courses at NMMU (Saasveld), the University of Stellenbosch, the University of Pretoria where he is an Extraordinary Professor, and the University of Stellenbosch where he is an Extraordinary / Associate Professor).

Coert began collecting plants in 1970 during his forest inventories, focusing initially on tree species in the South African natural forests and Namibian woodlands. His pride is the discovery of Apodytes geldenhuysii (A.E. van Wyk & Potgieter), a small tree with very restricted distribution in isolated mountain forest patches.


In some dehorning operations, a petrol saw is used to make the initial cut, with a battery saw used for the finer trimming. But in recent surgeries, some wildlife vets have opted to rely solely on Husqvarna battery powered chainsaws. Battery products are fuel free so produce no harmful emissions. They are also quieter than their petrol equivalents and lower noise levels means less anxiety for the sedated animal.

Husqvarna’s battery blower also plays a vital role in keeping the rhino’s core body temperature down, which is particularly important in the hotter seasons.

First, water is poured on the rhino and then the blower is used to drop the surface temperature. The highly portable battery blower works equally well in static transport crates when the rhinos are confined for transport.

If a rhino is dehorned without cutting into the skull, it can grow back to almost full size after three years. However, if the rhino’s skull is damaged while being dehorned, it could complicate

or completely compromise the re-growth of the horn, which is why professional dehorning with the right tools by veterinary surgeons is so important.

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The following people witnessed the dehorning of Vuyo, they are from the left: Ryan van Deventer (Hilton veterinary surgeon), Dylan Lane (managing director Husqvarna Africa), Pavel Hajman (president Husqvarna Division Worldwide), Stefan Terblanche (CEO of Rugby Legends & former springbok) and Craig MacKenzie (Gwahumbe Game & Spa).

Siya Ndlela (left) and veterinary surgeon Ryan van Deventer use Husqvarna’s battery powered chain saw to dehorn anaesthetised eight-year-old Vuyo at Gwahumbe Game & Spa in KwaZulu-Natal


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Local is still “lekker” with new Bell L-series TLB Bell has extended its range of proudly locally manufactured multifunctional machines with the launch of the L-series tractor loader backhoe (TLB).

Bell product manager, Dale Oldridge, says that at first glance the Bell 315SL TLB may be considered an entry-level machine for general earthworks, however this is not the case. It has a wide range

of features usually found in much larger and more sophisticated equipment.

The 315SL is powered by the proven and dependable John Deere PowerTech engine, which gives it a top speed of 40km/h when travelling to a jobsite. The five-speed PowerShift transmission provides smooth shifting and reliable performance with on-the-fly all-wheel drive engagement.

Oldridge says these features, together with the standard limited-slip differential on the front axle and fully locking differential on the rear, deliver best-in-class tractive effort and overall four wheel drive performance. The rear differential lock protection can also be enabled through the machine's monitor, which prevents potential damage from rear differential lock engagement at high speeds.

“The sealed switch module (SSM) in the cab offers a central location for the machine's functions and is completely sealed to protect against moisture, dust and debris. The SSM comes standard with keyless start and a machine-security system, which requires a passcode to prevent unauthorised operation of the TLB,” explains Oldridge.

To further promote machine protection and lower operating costs, smart technology offers the exclusive Auto Shutdown feature, which shuts down the engine after a predetermined time, which can be set through the monitor.

ProductivityThe new L-series TLB has improved cab ergonomics that makes the operator's workspace even more user-friendly. "The enhanced loader control grip has a new ergonomic design that integrates fingertip controls into the grip for ease of use. Additionally a multi-function lever has been introduced on the steering column to control lights, wipers and indicators, like a modern car. These features all ensure that the operator can stay focused on his surrounds while operating in the loader position," says Oldridge.

The Bell TLB has an exclusive digital monitor providing best-in-class on-board diagnostics, calibrations and machine information for ease of maintenance. It also facilitates the user-friendly set-up of machine features to promote productivity.

"Ride control is offered as an optional feature, which can automatically turn on when ground speed exceeds the speed setting in the monitor. With ride control the front loader hydraulic cylinders act as a shock absorber to improve drive comfort and reduce operator fatigue. This also helps to deliver full loads for better productivity," he explains.

"In keeping with the philosophy that a happy operator is a productive operator, the TLB has an adjustable mechanical air-suspension seat and lockable storage in the cab."

Re-designed rear lighting is more robust to facilitate easier changing of globes and an LED lighting kit is available as an option, including the choice of spotlights or floodlights to facilitate longer working hours with better visibility.

Maintenance and reliabilityIn keeping with proven concepts from the very first Bell TLBs, Oldridge explains that the L-series retains its unitised


mainframe and excavator-style boxed structures. They are lightweight to provide maximum rigidity and structural integrity for the life of the machine.

A welcome enhancement is the addition of external shimming of the stabilizer legs to reduce machine movement and improve accuracy during backhoe operations. The 315SL also comes standard with axle cooling and filtration and an improved wet disc brake set-up for increased durability and performance especially while travelling between jobsites.

A heavy duty transmission oil filter gives increased reliability and the hinged cooling package design allows for coolers to be separated for ease of servicing and cleaning.

"Ease of maintenance has been an important consideration and the L-series has same-side, ground level daily service, including fuel fill. By making daily checks easier to perform, they are more likely to get done, reducing inspection time and preventing a major failure. Our TLBs also feature an exclusive spring applied, hydraulically released (SAHR) park brake that cannot be driven through, never needs adjustment and applies automatically with engine shutdown while a single, self-adjusting engine serpentine belt reduces maintenance time, Oldridge says."

"Since Bell started manufacturing the only locally produced TLB in the South African market in 2005, we have continued to develop a solid reputation with a loyal and expanding customer base. The Bell 315SL is largely the same tried and tested workhorse as the popular K-series TLB but with a few complementary enhancements that we are confident will add further value to machine owners in those important areas of productivity, uptime and lower daily operating costs."

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Bell 315SL specifications:

engineJohn deere Powertech stage 2

Net peak engine power 72kW at 2 300 RPM

Standard operating weight 8 280kg

Backhoe digging depth 4,17m

Loader breakout force 46,8kN

Loader lift capacity, full height 3 322kg

Backhoe boom lift capacity 1 104kg

Dipper stick force 36,6kN

Bucket force 55kN


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Weza Sawmill starts up its new Holtec long-log handling linePlantation forestry and sawmilling group, Hans Merensky Holdings, commissioned Holtec to install a new 300 000 cubic metres a year log handling line at Weza Sawmill.

With a total of over 67 000 hectares across South Africa, Merensky’s plantations supply pine and eucalyptus lumber to southern African and international markets.

These plantations are among the largest privately-managed plantations on a saw-log rotation in South Africa. Lumber is processed at Merensky’s own mills and supplied directly or from distribution centres located throughout the country.

“We set the challenge and Holtec delivered,” says Stephen Röth, engineering manager at Weza Sawmill. He says the long-log handling line supplied by Holtec is one of the best references for the German company’s work.

According to Erwin Franzen, Holtec’s head of international sales, “Holtec is proud to be Merensky’s chosen supplier, particularly since we were previously tasked with replacing chain conveyors for Merensky at its Langeni and Singisi Sawmills in 2011 and 2012. This is Holtec’s first tree-length handling line in South Africa.”

Röth says the task was to design a line that can process a complete range of logs from 2.4m up to 24m in length. It needed to cut the tree-length logs to required lengths and sort them. “Moving from a mainly manual log yard handling short logs to a fully-automated merchandising yard has enabled us to optimise value from our own grown plantations as well as supply the new mill’s raw material requirements” he says.

The Holtec line works with two infeed cross conveyors. One conveyor is used for the short logs of up to 3m in length and a second one for logs of up to 24m, both equipped with welded steel chains for increased durability. The short logs are singulated by a step feeder, low in operating and maintenance costs due to its chainless design. At the same time the long logs are transferred by a steep chain conveyor with ledges. The singulated logs are ejected by a disc ejector to a measurement and cutting line with a Holtec length stopper table.

The measurement line detects the diameter of the log on its full length and determines according to this diameter

Aerial view of the infeed area. Logs of 2.4m to 24 m can be handled


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where the cut must be made. The software for this optimisation works automatically and enables the cutting line to operate with up to nine cuts per minute. The logs are cut into pre-determined lengths, with diameter ranges from 100mm to 450mm.

Franzen says Holtec invented cross cutting technology and is continuously improving it. They have supplied more than 9 000 machines and systems all over the world. “This makes us the market leader worldwide. Crosscutting timber is a highly efficient, economical and flexible way of producing specific board lengths,” says Franzen.

After cross-cutting, the logs are debarked before being scanned for length and diameter. The logs are then

sorted according to diameter classes or alternatively the functionality exists to kick directly onto one of three infeed decks to the wetmill.

“Being able to handle various tree lengths gives us more flexibility and increases gain options for the cutting process in the sawmill,” says Röth, The automated process ensures consistent quality and significantly increases the mill’s capacity.

All Merensky lumber is accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which is an international audit benchmark used by consumers to differentiate sustainably-sourced lumber products from those made from timber of unknown origin.

The core of the long log line – the cutting saw with length stopper table and synchro rollers

Loading of the long logs


About HOLTEC Systems for log handling in the sawmill and wood based panel industries

Handling logs is in our blood. Over many years we have gathered the know-how on how to process logs. More than 300 systems have been supplied during the

last 40 years. From short to long logs, soft wood to hard wood, Holtec offers the market’s widest product range in the field of log handling, always tailored to our customer’s needs. Our customers are small, medium and large-size businesses from South Africa to Sweden and from Siberia to Texas.

Machines and systems for cutting timber packagesWe know a lot about crosscut saws because Holtec invented the technology, continuously improved it, and has supplied more than 9000 machines and systems all over the world. We are the market leader. Crosscutting timber is a highly efficient, economical and flexible way of producing specific board lengths, e. g. to produce pallets or packaging materials. We supply portable saws up to fully automated high-capacity systems with more than 250m³ timber per day. More information is available at www.holtec.de.

About the Merensky Timber Group

With a total of over 67 000 hectares across South Africa, Merensky’s plantations supply pine and eucalyptus lumber to southern African and international markets.

Merensky plantations are among the largest privately-managed plantations on a saw-log rotation in South Africa. Lumber is processed at Merensky’s own mills and supplied directly, or

from distribution centres located throughout the country.

Merensky’s drive for improved service is vested in the knowledge and experience of its sales team, which is fully supported and backed-up by the group’s network of strategically-placed sawmills, distribution centres and sales offices.

All Merensky-grown lumber carries the prestigious Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification.

More information is available at www.merensky.co.za.

Sawmill infeed directly from the sorting conveyor. Feeding of the sawmill and stocking via handling crane in the background

from page 27Weza Sawmill starts up its new Holtec long-log handling line

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Midlands Pine Products optimises production with wideband systemsMidlands Pine Products opted for a complete Multisaw wideband sawmilling line during phase one of its mill upgrade, and is busy with phase two – the installation of a Wood-Mizer Titan optimising edger system.

The sawmill is located in New Glenside in KwaZulu-Natal and is part of the wattle extract, sugar and timber business group, UCL.

UCL’s requirements for initiating the upgrade was to increase production throughput without exceeding its budget. The phased upgrade is expected to be completed by early 2017.

Stage one, which went live in late 2015, was the installation of a complete Multisaw wideband sawmilling line slotting into place with several new and customised features. It is running in tandem with the mill’s existing framesaw line.

Stage two, which is already far advanced, will see the installation and commissioning of an additional Wood-Mizer Titan T-AE optimising edger on the framesaw end of the mill to replace a manual edging operation. When completed the new installations will give the mill the projected throughput numbers that it is aiming for.

The already commissioned Multisaw system includes primary and secondary breakdown phases with material transfer and waste systems linking the line together to

transfer materials to the green chain and the waste to chipping.

The sawn timber production process starts with debarked logs that are quickly and accurately loaded and placed

The Wood-Mizer Titan T6-TBLT twin vertical 152mm wideband primary breakdown unit at Midlands Pine Products

Wood-Mizer rebrands and supports Multisaw’s wideband technologyFollowing the recent announcement of Wood-Mizer Holdings’ acquisition of Multisaw’s wideband sawmill equipment range, now known as Wood-Mizer Titan, two case studies highlight the successes of sawmills already using Wood-Mizer Titan technology.

Plans are being made to offer Titan wideband products and services to Wood-Mizer’s global customer base through the company’s international network of representatives.

The agreement between Wood-Mizer and Multisaw gives Wood-Mizer a firm foothold in both the narrow band and wide band saw markets.

Wood-Mizer Titan owners receive the assurance of Wood-Mizer approved customer service and after sale support. This includes radically up-scaled spare part inventories and new supply and technical support team networks.

The case studies are Patula Sawmills and Midlands Pine Products.

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by the heavy duty automated log infeed system. This is part of the Wood-Mizer Titan T6-TBLT twin vertical 152mm (six inch) wideband primary breakdown unit.

The 60m/min, high capacity and robustly constructed machine achieves equal open face cutting using pressurised hold-down rollers and a spiky chain feed system in tandem with servo-enabled size adjustment systems that allows for on-the-fly size changes.

The outfeed end of the Multisaw includes a new cant positioning and sideboard removal system. Pressurised side rollers on either side of the cants accurately position and guide them out of the twin and also allows for controlled sideboard discharge. The cants are transferred down the line to the automatic discharge unit that kicks the cants into a face-up position before they enter the Wood-Mizer TitanT-MR160 double arbour circular multi-rip saw.

The heavily constructed and powerful 2 x 75kW motor multi-rip is capable of making multiple high tolerance cuts in a single pass. The Midlands system was customised up from 45 to 75kW to accommodate a larger range of log diameters and cant sizes that can readily adjust to varying log supplies.

Boards without wane exiting the multi-rip are transferred to the green chain for secondary breakdown. Midlands’ secondary breakdown unit comes in the shape of the Wood-Mizer Titan T6-R/TR twin head 6 inch, 2 x 45 kW wideband resaw. This offers fast size changes through a servo-enabled head lift size change system.

The servo control ensures accurate and quick size changes that require as little as 0.3 seconds to change size for each sideboard passing through. This results in optimal recovery that unlocks extra product and reduces waste. The new head lift system also preserves blade life with the

blade now focussing on cutting instead of also changing the cutting height. The twin head configuration makes it possible to make two cuts into each sideboard with only one pass. The wane boards that exit the resaw phase are transferred down and across via an unscrambler to a Wood-Mizer Titan T-AE automated optimising edger. The steep angle unscrambler ensures single board sorting with the dog chain improving traction.

The optimising edger uses optical scanning technology to achieve high precision and low waste edging of boards. The automated edging process starts with an initial scan and analysis of the wane board profile entering the unit to determine which cut width will unlock optimal recovery.

Cut decisions are based on volume recovery and product value. Feed speed through the unit is up to 140m/min.

The phased project is well on track to deliver on this objective with the recent agreement between Wood-Mizer and Multisaw now adding further momentum to this process.

Cants processed via a Wood-Mizer Titan T-MR160 circular multi-rip saw

Sideboards pass through the Wood-Mizer TitanT6-R/TR twin head 152mm wideband resaw

The entire edging process is automated with an initial scan of the wane board entering the unit determining which cut width will produce optimal recovery

from page 27Midlands Pine Products optimises production with wideband systems

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Wood-Mizer Titan continues to open doors for Patula SawmillsEmerald Dale Holdings’ Patula Sawmills continues to reap the rewards of its investment in Multisaw’s wideband sawmilling technology, with solid throughput figures improving consistently to unlock more opportunities.

The 2013 commissioning of the wideband Multisaw sawmilling line at Patula Sawmills replaced a dated narrow band line that gave Emerald Dale’s founder, Charles Anderson, an initial foothold in the

sawn timber supply sector, A protracted drought in 1996 forced the Anderson farmstead to look for alternatives to supplement the farm’s income. Sawn timber production was an easy choice for the farming operation that already had land planted to timber.

The narrow bandsaw and circular sawmilling lines that ensured Patula Sawmills initial successes in the sawn timber production sector required upgrading in 2012. The management team opted for wideband saw technology to produce the volumes and quality that new structural timber supply contracts required.

The purpose built Multisaw line and its substantial investments in drying capacity completed Patula Sawmills evolution into a SATAS approved structural timber mill by 2014.

The brief was simple, says the Patula Products management team consisting of Phillip and William Anderson and Troy Cooper. “We wanted a high production wideband sawmilling technology that we could rely on to cut the quality that we want, and with enough capacity available to ramp up production in the future,” Phillip Anderson says.

“This is exactly what we’ve now achieved,” says Troy Cooper. “In recent months we have increased throughput by 31 percent.”

The elevated Multisaw line consists of primary and secondary breakdown phases with material transfer and waste systems linking the line together and transferring the end-spec material and waste that is generated. The new agreement between Multisaw and Wood-Mizer has seen the rebranding of the Multisaw machines, which are now known as the Wood-Mizer Titan range.

The process starts with a Wood-Mizer Titan T6-TBLT twin vertical 6 inch (152mm) wideband primary breakdown saw. The main priority at this primary stage in the log breakdown process is to achieve equal open faces on the sawn cants. This allows for higher recovery down the line at the gang saw.

The Wood-Mizer Titan T6-TBLT twin vertical wideband primary breakdown saw in action in the Patula Sawmills wetmill

End-spec and side boards exiting the Wood-Mizer Titan T-MR160 circular multi-rip saw>>

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The cants are cross-transferred to the Wood-Mizer Titan T-MR160 circular double arbour multi-rip saw. This saw produces wane-free boards for the green chain. Side boards are transferred for later re-sawing.

The heavily constructed and powerful rip saw is capable of making multiple high tolerance cuts in a single pass, which is ideal for high production sawmilling environments. It’s also equipped with optical sensors at the infeed end that detects the presence of material, and activates the pneumatically assisted through feed.

The sideboards are sent to the secondary breakdown Wood-Mizer Titan T6-R/TR twin head 6 Inch (152mm) wideband resaw. The twin head configuration makes two cuts into each sideboard with only one pass.

Wane boards pass through the Wood-Mizer Titan manual board edger system. This machine edges material up to 40mm thick at high speeds. It is adjustable and can be run at slower feed speeds to rip material up to 107mm thick, making it an affordable alternative to a multi-rip. The wide arbour can also be packed with multiple blades and, by aligning the incoming boards accordingly, it is possible to achieve a multitude of product sizes.

The Patula Sawmills management team is confident that further output increases are available going forward.

A Wood-Mizer Titan T6-R/TR twin wideband resaw processing side boards into boards with wane

Wane boards are edged on one of Patula Sawmill’s Wood-Mizer Titan T-ELE640 manual board edgers

from page 29Wood-Mizer Titan continues to open doors for Patula Sawmills

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First Cut: 60 years and countingIn October First Cut, a leading South African manufacturer and distributor of a range of narrow and wide band saw, hack saw, circular saw blades, and other cutting consumables, celebrated 60 years of supplying total cutting solutions.

From modest beginnings as a Cape Town saw doctor in 1956, the company has grown into one which employs 240 people, with management based in Johannesburg, a manufacturing facility

in Cape Town and Saw Sharp branches in Durban and Port Elizabeth.

"While First Cut may be 60 years old, we are constantly developing new cutting solutions in our Cape Town facility; or sourcing technologically advanced capital equipment from the world's finest cutting and bending equipment manufacturers,” says First Cut managing director Andrew Poole.

First Cut chief executive officer Ian McCrystal agrees: "Integrity and pride in our business practices and in the quality of the products we manufacture and supply have been the keys to our longevity. We are ISO 9001:2008 certified and adhere to the highest safety and quality standards."

Long-standing relationships with world-leading consumables principals such as Starrett, Eclipse and Wikus have developed these brands in South Africa. Complementing First Cut's product range is a highly knowledgeable and experienced team, most of whom have many years of service with the company. First Cut invests substantially in development and training of its staff. "Our excellent 60-years track record of service and solutions is largely due to the 'can do' attitude of every staff member," says McCrystal.

The factory in Cape Town manufacturers a wide range of saw blades from imported steel

Quality control is a top priority at First Cut and quality controller, Siena Storm, checks every planer blade

The testing laboratory assistants, Grace du Plessis and Marion Petersen test the hardness of all steel before and during the manufacturing process

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Weinig acquires Weinig GreconMichael Weinig AG has acquired the remaining 40 percent of shares in Weinig Grecon GmbH & Co. KG. The technology leader for machines and systems for solid wood processing had already acquired 60 percent of the company in 1998.

As a manufacturing subsidiary of Weinig, Alfeld/Leine-based Weinig Grecon GmbH & Co. KG is one of the world’s leading specialists in finger-jointing and jointing technology for all performance categories. With this

step now completed, Weinig strengthens its market position as a complete provider in solid-wood processing.

The Weinig Group is one of the world's largest manufacturers of machines and systems for solid wood processing. A number of individual specialized companies offer a range of products under the Weinig brand, covering the complete process chain from the raw material to the end product. Following the integration of the Holz-Her brand in 2010, the Weinig Group also offers solutions for processing wooden composites in its portfolio – as well as the expertise that comes with more than 100 years' experience.

WoodMac China 2017 postponed

WoodMac China and associated events, FurniTek, WoodBuild China, and Forestry China scheduled for 7-9 March 2017 in Shanghai is postponed until 2018. The organisers of WoodMac China, China

National Forestry Machinery Association; China International Exhibitions and Deutsche Messe made the announcement in October. Citing reasons for the postponement, Brendan Jennings, general manager for China International Exhibitions said "The slowdown of the Chinese economy generally ,and specifically the drop in new house and apartment building, have had an adverse effect on the market for wood products used in building and furniture manufacturing, and consequently demand for woodworking technology". He added "The organisers wish to preserve the reputation of the WoodMac China brand as a quality exhibition for new and innovative technology. This is best achieved when the market returns to a growth phase." WoodMac China has served the Chinese market for woodworking technology for over two decades; from the first event in 1995, when the exhibition was exclusively for imported technology, to the emergence and subsequent domination of the exhibition by Chinese wood technology brands. In the current day, a maturing market increasingly needs a dedicated specialized event to cater to new innovations. The organisers announced that they will continue to monitor the Chinese economy and reschedule WoodMac China when market conditions improve.


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wins awardThe 2016 Marcus Wallenberg Prize was awarded to mathematician Prof Alexander Katsevich and Microtec’s chief executive, Dr Federico Giudiceandrea for the development of the scanner for whole tree logs. They received the award from his majesty the King of Sweden at a ceremony in Stockholm in October.

The introduction of this new technology marks the beginning of a new era for the sawmill industry. The ground breaking research and innovative implementation have opened new horizons,

facilitating further optimization of the sawing process”, says Marcus Wallenberg, chairman of the board of the Marcus Wallenberg Prize.

The purpose of the prize is to recognize, encourage and stimulate path breaking scientific achievements that contribute significantly to broadening knowledge and technical development within the fields of importance to forestry and forest industries.

Computed tomography (CT) scans, sometimes also referred to as computerised axial tomography (CAT) scans, are invaluable to diagnostic imaging in medicine. It is an imaging technology that produces three-dimensional (3D) representations of objects, based on multiple scans of the object from different directions with penetrating X-ray radiation. The technology was used in a research project in a sawmill where whole tree logs were scanned by medical scanners. It was found that the output value of the sawn timber products increased dramatically.

Industrial application was, however, hampered by the slow speed of the process. This was because medical CT scanners emit the x-ray beam from the source in a cone

beam geometry, and not wider cone angles required to scan logs quickly.

However, the algorithms, or data calculations, to obtain the 3D-pictures are reliable for the small cone angles but not for the wider cone angles required for tree scanning because it resulted in blurry images.

Katsevich developed an exact analytical reconstruction algorithm, known as Katsevich’s Algorithm, which solved the cone beam problem and allowed for fast movement of logs through the CT scanner.

Microtec’s chief executive, Dr Federico Giudiceandrea demonstrates the CT Log whole log scanner

King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden congratulates Dr Federico Giudiceandrea of Microtec for his contribution to the sawmilling industry


Johnnie Muller, the production manager with the factory’s six-head moulder in the background

Managing director Mattie Oosthuizen, and a bundle of Biligom beams at Elegant Roofing’s plant in Cape Town.

Elegant Roofing reaps benefits of Biligom beams Elegant Roofing’s strategy of keeping abreast with raw materials research and technological developments assists it to extend its reputation of designing, manufacturing and installing top quality roof structures.

The company specialises in the construction of timber roof trusses of all types, shapes and sizes, from simple garages to large and complex multi-profile roof spaces. It also installs roof cover in concrete tiles,

slate or metal roof sheeting and waterproofing.

“We never compromise on standards, safety and quality. Our services are supported by a fully equipped timber truss plant, specially designed vehicles and trailers and expertly trained and committed staff,” says Mattie Oosthuizen, managing director of Elegant Roofing.

“I am just an entrepreneur,” is the answer given by Oosthuizen whenever he is asked questions about the business, himself and his long and diverse career. This modest reply hides his unwavering passion for timber, open mindedness in embracing new technologies and forward looking approach to life.

Oosthuizen’s problem solving abilities, self-drive and constant flow of intelligent ideas was a constant challenge for his school teachers. When he completed his structural

engineering studies he immersed himself in doing what he loves best – finding solutions to technical problems and exploiting business opportunities.

An example of his inventiveness is the 16m long laminating press he designed and built for Elegant Roofing’s Laminated beam plant. This machine has been working for many years and despite its simplicity exerts the required pneumatic pressure and heat to cure the kiln dried pine laminated solid wood beams.

The company meets all legal standards and regulations and is certified to do its own materials testing. “When we heard there was a testing bench available at a sawmill we immediately bought it. This allows us to test the modulus of elasticity, which is the grade of hardness, and bending strength (Modulus of rupture) of all the timber and laminated beams. Pine trees are being harvested much earlier than they used to be, and this can impact on the quality of the trusses and beams.” It is essential to grade, manufacture and treat pine trusses and beams to the highest standards to maintain our integrity as well as that of the structures,” explains Oosthuizen.

He grabbed the opportunity for Elegant Roofing to participate in trials when the new finger jointed beam

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product, Biligom, was in the research phase by the University of Stellenbosch. “We can honestly say that Biligom is a tried and tested product. We helped test it and found it to be structurally superior to pine,” says Oosthuizen.

Biligom is now an internationally patented process using moist eucalyptus timber for building and construction solutions. Elegant Roofing sources Biligom products from the manufacturer in Tzaneen in Limpopo. Like Elegant’s pine products, it carries the full SATAS quality accreditation mark, is machine proof graded to 20,8Mpa bending strength and treated to H2 SANS 1288 specifications.

Dirk van Vuuren, director of Elegant Roofing says the investment in research and development, and its multi-disciplined teams has given the company a reputation of technical expertise and excellent workmanship. “All our roof structures are backed by a guarantee for five years after installation. And our on-line roof design system can produce from the most basic to the most complex residential, commercial and industrial designs.,” says Van Vuuren.

Regular inspections by the Institute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA) ensures quality control. An added service offered by Elegant Roofing is the inspection and certification of timber roof structures in accordance with the National Building Regulations, the relevant SABS codes of practice

as required by The Act (Act 103 of 1977) and by the NHBRC. A19 Inspections on all our installations followed by an A19 Certificate once the roof complies with all the necessary criteria, is also available.

An example of Elegant Roofing’s craftsmanship using Biligom as a ceiling and truss material

Dirk van Vuuren, director of Elegant Roofing says the investment in research and development, and its multi-

disciplined teams, have given the company a reputation of technical expertise and excellent workmanship.

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ADVERTORIAL

42 October 2016 // Wood Southern Africa & Timber Times42 August 2016 // Wood Southern Africa & Timber Times

Safety overhead: The importance of roof maintenance Sa

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The importance of a roof structure as a component of a building and its functioning cannot be overstated, however it is possibly one of the most neglected parts of a building.

Chris Hobson, ITC-SA chairperson, says that while some roof systems call for less intense maintenance than others, all roofing systems should be checked periodically and

maintained accordingly.

The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), with the assistance of MiTek Industries SA and International Truss Systems recommends:Prevention is better than cure, and the best preventative measure to implement in the care of a roof structure is regular inspections to help identify and remedy problems as and when they occur. A roof withstands more from the elements than any other component of a building and the frequency of roof inspections and maintenance is dependent on the geographical location of the building. For example; if the structure is close to the sea or in similarly harsh conditions, it will need greater care than a structure inland.

Preventative maintenance is pivotal in saving money on a roof by providing a longer service life. The following is a guideline towards maintaining a safe and secure roof structure for years to come:

Roof exterior When it comes to the roof’s exterior, be sure to check for cracked roof tiles, loose sheeting and loose roof screws.

These may cause leaks, which can damage the interior timber of the roof structure and prompt or accelerate wood rot.

At the same time, look for open areas around newly installed antenna shafts and chimneys. The condition of the waterproofing membranes must also be inspected regularly. Crumbling chimney mortar could signal moisture penetration and will need to be reapplied.

While some roof systems call for less intense maintenance than others, the ITC-SA stresses that all roofing systems should be checked periodically and maintained accordingly

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About the ITC-SA The Institute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA) was established more than 40 years ago to regulate the engineered timber roof structure industry and to provide design, manufacturing, erection, inspection and certification for compliance with inter alia SANS 10400 and SANS 10082, where engineering rational designs are applicable.

The ITC-SA is a South African Qualifications Authority (Saqa) accredited professional body with a professional membership and therefore has to comply with the requirements as set out in the National Qualifications Framework Act (NQF Act 67 of 2008 – as amended). The ITC-SA is also a Recognised Voluntary Association in terms of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act 46 of 2000).

In 2014, the Institute for Institute for Timber Frame Builders (ITFB) was incorporated into the ITC-SA to ensure a better and more uniform representation of the timber engineered practitioners in the built environment.

For assistance please contact itC-sa:Chris Hobson, chairpersontel: 011 974 1061email: [email protected] web: www.itc-sa.org

Facebook: http://bit.ly/1SVoQcn twitter: http://bit.ly/1pwZH0P linkedin: http://bit.ly/1NnOiLx google+: http://bit.ly/29hRJ3y youtube: http://bit.ly/2bCftRn


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Timber roof overhangs are most susceptible to the elements and should be maintained regularly to prevent fungal attack or rot from moisture. Loose fascia boards and leaking gutters are the most common cause of leaks onto roofing timber. On this note, watch out for any creeper plants growing onto the overhanging roof timbers. Keep all gutters free from debris and make sure the downpipes are draining properly by water testing them.

If the roof exterior is beginning to collect moss or algae, consider installing zinc or lead control strips to help control the problem. These strips form harmless zinc oxide when rainwater runs over them, in so doing, carrying with it a coating preventing further moss or algae growth from occurring. Check all flashings, making sure they are not deteriorated and secure or replace all loose shingles. Trim back overhanging tree branches and check any metal on the roof for signs of rust. Pay attention to all caulking and sealants, and scrape and remove caulking that is weathered, cracked or damaged, and reapply. If the roof has gravel surfacing, look out for bare spots, and check for blisters in the roofing material.

Salt or dirt build-up can encourage rust on steel roofs, and moss and lichen growth on tiled roofs. Some manufacturers’ warranties advise regular washing, particularly in areas that don’t receive frequent rain. Frequent washing and inspection are advised to prevent salt and dirt build-up.

Exposed timber trusses must be treated for exposure to the elements.

Roof interior Cracked timber components in the roof structure are the first warning signs that something within the roof structure is deteriorating. Inspect all the components of the roof structure after new services, like plumbing, electrical and/or a fireplace, are installed. Check the interior of the roof for leaks that may indicate a leaking roof membrane.

If timber is beginning to show signs of rot, painting it will only worsen the situation. It is advisable to rather replace the affected timber. Painting and repainting should only be done on healthy timber surfaces. Be sure to adhere to the paint or treatment specifications concerning the application.

Additional loading Additions, such as a cooking canopy that extracts smoke or steam from the kitchen, are usually suspended from the roof trusses. In the case of additional loading, it is important to ensure that the load is spread across more than one truss. The load of the item should be established

before installation and the truss design should be checked for added loads. Be sure to use a professional to install new items in roofs, such as additional ceilings, bulkheads and chimneys.

Storage in roofs is not recommended unless the design of the roof specifically makes provision for this.

Legal complianceThe Construction Regulation 2014 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993, states that an owner of a structure must ensure that:

a. Inspections of the structure are carried out periodically by a competent person in order to render the structure safe for continued use;

b. That the inspections contemplated in paragraph a) are carried out at least once every six months for the first two years, and thereafter yearly;

c. The structure is maintained in such a manner that it remains safe for continued use;

d. The records of the inspections and maintenance are kept and made available on request to an inspector.

The roof is a structurally important and very costly component of a building and the average cost of a roof as a portion of the final building can easily exceed 25%.

The costs associated with repair or replacement of the same roof structure will be even more than this due to the additional work required to establish structural integrity.

This is why it is imperative that a roof structure, on residential, commercial and industrial buildings, is regularly inspected for any anomalies and that remedial action is promptly and accordingly taken. A roof is a lifetime investment and should last just as long.

All nail-plated timber roof structures must be designed, manufactured, erected and inspected by ITC-SA accredited members who have been awarded a Certificate of Competence.

An A19 Certificate will be issued on compliance, which is required by the Local Authority before issuing an occupation certificate.

from page 42Safety overhead: The importance of roof maintenance

Prevention is better than cure, and the best preventative

measure to implement in the care of a roof structure is regular

inspections to help identify and remedy problems as and

when they occur.


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LCP Roofing, South African leaders in roof truss technology, have developed an integrated mobile application for enhanced, more secure completion and processing of the SANS10400 A19 certificate for a building’s structural components.

As a crucial certification in the roofing industry, the A19 certificate is underpinned by regulation A19, which forms part of SANS10400, that covers all regulations controlling the building industry.

Regulation A19’s parent category is Part A, which covers general regulations and governs principles of requirements.

The A19 certificate, which is a pivotal support document in the issuance of a completion certificate for a structure, is issued by an engineer and confirms that the structure has been correctly completed in line with the original design intent and in accordance with national building standards. “When it comes to roof inspections, the reality is that for the most part, your roof inspector, who works for an engineer, declares satisfaction with the structure to the engineer, who then signs off the form for the A19 certificate,” says Lyndsay Cotton, LCP Roofing general manager.

“While this is common practice and, by most accounts, completely above board, the problem arises when the engineers that sign off on these forms are not experts in the roofing field.

Who is a competent person?

SANS10400 Part A defines a competent person as one that is “qualified by virtue of his education, training, experience and contextual knowledge to make a determination regarding the performance of a building or part thereof in relation to a functional regulation or to undertake such duties as may be assigned to him in terms of these regulations.”

SANS10400 Part L, which governs roofing in particular, provides a clear, though not often correctly interpreted, definition of a competent person in the built environment as one who:

is registered in terms of the Engineering a. Profession Act, 2000 (Act No. 46 of 2000), as either a professional engineer or a professional engineering technologist, or

is registered in terms of the Architectural b. Profession Act, 2000 (Act No. 44 of 2000), as a professional architect or a professional senior architectural technologist, and

is generally recognized as having the c. necessary experience and training to undertake rational assessments or rational designs in the field of roofs and roofing

“What gets lost in translation at times – with dire consequences – is the and at the end of point b in Part L’s definition of a competent person. The competent person could be any four of the professionals listed in points a and b, but they must, in addition, be considered to be a roofing expert with the right training and experience, and be able to do calculations to work out if the trusses designed by a truss plant will be able to withstand a given load,” says Cotton.

“The inspector should have sufficient contextual knowledge of the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa’s (ITC-SA) Roof Erector’s Handbook – Volume 2 and understand both SANS and ITC-SA erection principles. Inspectors should not inspect buildings if they know nothing about roofing,” Cotton points out.

“This can lead to misunderstandings and large anomalies in the certification process, and the banks or insurers could challenge the issued A19 certificate. Sadly, the homeowner

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LCP’s Inspecta app makes roof inspections for SANS10400 A19 Certificate easy


will ultimately bear the consequences of a wrongly certified roof structure and is the first in line to accept liability. While a large percentage of this is as a result of ignorance, the consequences for the homeowner amount to the same as a fraudulently issued certificate,” he says.

What does regulation A19 cover? Regulation A19 governs the appointment of persons responsible for the design, inspection and assessment duties for any structural component in a building – not just roofs. Forms 3 and 4, which fall under SANS10400 Part A, and which bear reference to timber and wood trusses as a structural system, must both be completed for a building to be signed off per National Building Regulations (NBR).

Form 3 is the declaration of a competent person that s/he has been appointed to design a component or an element of a system – or roof structure in this case – in line with the NBR. In terms of the Act, the homeowner or building owner must appoint the engineer or responsible person, who knows roofing, who will then declare his professional status, accept the appointment and responsibility for certain design components, and sign the form along with his registration number.

Form 4 is a certificate of completion of the structural, fire protection and fire insulation system in terms of the Act, through which the engineer declares that the component for which s/he is responsible has ‘to the best of [his/her] knowledge, been designed and constructed/erected/installed in accordance with the application in respect of which approval was granted in terms of section 7 of the Act and that it satisfies the requirements of the NBR.

“But completion and submission of these forms in support of the A19 certificate (and subsequent issuing of a completion certificate) does not necessarily mean that the design is correct or that the structure is safe to occupy. This could put banks, insurance companies, property developers and homeowners – current and future – at tremendous risk. An engineer’s certificate might secure a bond payment, but could potentially offer no structural protection,” cautions Cotton.

“Not ticking off items on the roof inspector checklist amounts to negligence, in my opinion, and while most roof inspections are above board, ‘drive-by’ inspections, where engineer’s certificates are issued without the inspector even visiting the site or literally just driving past, do take place. Whether it happens because of incompetence, ignorance, negligence or plain fraud, this is unacceptable; the inspector must physically go to the site to inspect the structure.”

What should a roof inspection entail? Once the timber trusses have been fabricated according to design specifications, they will be sent to the site along with

an erection drawing, which clearly illustrates to the erector the truss marks, names and where and how the trusses should be erected. Some companies offer a full fabrication and erection service and in other instances the supply and erection are done by two separate parties according to the design intent; in both cases the erection drawing is paramount.

The inspector should have a copy of the erection drawing in his possession when he goes to inspect the structure, so that he can assess the building against the original design intent. The roof inspector should inspect the building before the ceiling has been installed and the roof tiles are in place, because he is assessing the structural components of the roof. This includes the roof trusses, battens, purlins, bracing and ceiling battens.

This is when the roofing inspection checklist and Forms 3 and 4 are completed by the inspector or engineer for final issuance of an A19 or engineer’s certificate. Only once the inspector has given the go-ahead, can the tiling, which adds a significant load to the roof, and ceiling installation, commence.

Category A buildingsIf the structure is a Category A building according to ITC-SA regulations, and if it is a public building (not the same as defined by SANS), then the design must also be signed off by the system engineer (currently MiTek, International Truss Systems or Multinail). If the structure is considered a normal and not a complex structure, the design need not be signed off by the system engineer if it has been executed according to the software employed.

While public buildings like hospitals and schools, or those with very complex details, may only be designed and installed by a Category A fabricator and erector under the current ITC-SA rules, a Category B, C, or D fabricator and erector may design or erect such a building with direct input and supervision from the system, or a highly competent engineer, who can do a rational design.

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from page 45LCP Inspecta roof inspection app ensures compliance for SANS10400 A19 certificate

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from page 46LCP Inspecta roof inspection app ensures compliance for SANS10400 A19 certificate

LCP Inspecta helps stop illegal roof inspections Taking a proactive stance against ‘drive-by’ inspections and the consequences of signing off on roofing structures not designed or erected according to the NBR, LCP Roofing has developed LCP Inspecta, a mobile application digitally integrated with a digital signature platform for a watertight, digitally encrypted paper trail that brings the A19 certificate into the future.

“We developed LCP Inspecta with the hope to eradicate illegal inspections, not only to ensure the safety and security of our clients and theirs, but to play our part in making our industry better by making sure that what has been designed and erected has been done so correctly. This is also about making inspections cheaper and easier to do; it’s about shaking up the status quo, innovating, doing things differently, better,” says Lyndsay Cotton, LCP Roofing general manager.

LCP Inspecta offers the user a three-part digital form that confirms the inspector, system supplier, and truss fabricator’s undertaking from design to inspection of a given structure, with all parties’ signatures, unique submission identification and a 256 bit encryption date and paper trail stamp.

This system confirms by whom and according to what codes the roof structure was designed, whether it has been designed according to SANS codes, that the values of the plates have been manufactured correctly from a design perspective, that the roof trusses have been manufactured to standard and that the erected structure has been properly inspected. All LCP Inspecta submissions have ID certificates with unique encryption codes for ultimate security.

How it worksThe roofing inspector uses the mobile app to complete the compulsory roofing checklist per the ITC-SA’s Roof Erector’s Handbook – Volume 2. “At this point, the app requests the user to geo-tag himself on site to prove that he was there and uploads images pertaining to the site, the layout drawings, as well as pertinent details of the structure, before the form is signed digitally, including the date and inspection number,” remarks Cotton. The geo-tagging on the platform has been set up as unchangeable, so the location cannot be resolved after inspection or without the inspector physically having been to site.

The LCP Inspecta system is set up so that the Forms 3 and 4 are automatically populated when the site information is uploaded from the device. Forms are imported by the fabricator/designer in PDF format and via email, after which a signing order with a digital signature, COC number and fabricator/designer number are included. The form is then sent to and digitally signed by the engineer, who includes a certificate number, which is based on the date of inspection. The form is then saved and printed out for the client, who will use this to gain a certificate of completion and resultant finance and/or insurance for the structure, and for company records.

“LCP Inspecta is a product of LCP Roofing’s mission to put a stop to illegal roof inspections, to protect our customers and their customers, and to elevate not only the standards, but the standing of the local timber construction industry by making roofing inspections easier, better and faster,” says Cotton.

“We are also driven to help educate and inform our customers on what to look out for when investing in a roof, both safeguarding and empowering them in navigating and protecting their investments, large and small. We believe that clients, both in and outside of the building trade must insist on a proper inspection of their roof structure, in so doing, creating an informed demand for better quality roofing downstream as well as upstream in our sector. LCP Inspecta is poised to change the face of roof inspections in South Africa – one screen tap at a time.”

LCP Roofing’s Inspecta is mobile and user friendly

LCP Inspecta app is integrated with a digital signature platform for a watertight, digitally encrypted paper trail that brings the A19 certificate into the future


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Modern modular timber homes from Swissline grow in popularityTen years ago, when master carpenter, Marc Lüdi, and his wife Nadia, decided to leave Switzerland and settle in Cape Town, they had no idea of the impact their modular timber homes concept would have on the local market.

The Lüdis established Swissline Design in 2006, specialising in staircases, exposed roof trusses, and balustrades. When a client asked them to do a loft conversion this got them thinking because their vision was to produce European style timber construction and joinery for the South African market.

“We studied the local market and realised there was an increasing demand for timber frame homes that could be completely manufactured off-site and then, in very little time, be transported and assembled, ready to be connected up to the various servitudes," explains Marc.

In 2011 they decided to test a broader public response to their concept at the Decorex exhibition in Johannesburg. “Our scale model of a timber frame house attracted a lot more attention than we thought it would, in fact people were fascinated by it,” says Nadia. "The modular system is completely rubble-free and is ideal for a second home or an extension to an existing one, such as the addition of a guest suite or staff accommodation."

They have had to overcome a number of myths while making inroads in the southern African market.

One of these is the public’s belief that there are high maintenance costs associated with exterior timber. But this is not the case with Swissline’s innovative design. “The structures we erect need no maintenance,” says Nadia.

“Our design is very different to a kit form house,” explains Marc. He constantly draws on the five years of master carpentry studies he completed in Switzerland and his experience in the European timber building trade. Clients are completely involved in the project and have the opportunity to inspect their erected new home or office at Swissline before it is transported and assembled on-site by specialised installation teams. The overhead crane in the workshop is an invaluable piece of equipment and is extensively used to transport the structural elements.

The main materials used by Swissline Design are kiln dried imported spruce and larch, oriented strand board (OSB), DWD tongue and groove boards, and insulation.

Siberian larchSiberian larch, which is similar in appearance to Oregon pine but has far superior qualities, is used on the facades. Swissline imports it from Europe and it is increasingly in

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This garden shed’s walls are clad with Siberian larch, and the roof with spruce

demand for decking, stairs, flooring and on facades as a high quality cladding. Larch is one of the toughest and most durable hardwoods due to the resin and extracts in the wood that makes it resistant to decay and rot. Nadia explains that it needs no treatment, maintenance, or oiling. It does change colour with natural aging and walls exposed to the sun go grey quicker than others. Some customers prefer to have it lightly oiled with a soft grey stain or brown hue to keep the colour uniform.

Swissline has a colour swatch to help their customers make their decision. Once applied there is no need for further maintenance.

European spruceSwissline Design imports spruce for construction building and exposed roof trusses from sustainable Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) managed forests in Europe. “We have a very reliable supplier who

Swissline designed, manufactured and erected this timber frame cottage with a loft area

from page 49Modern modular timber homes from Swissline grow in popularity


AUSTRO JOHANNESBURG Tel: +27 (0) 11 222 8300

AUSTRO CAPE TOWNTel: +27 (0)21 905 0430

AUSTRO DURBANTel: +27 (0)31 700 1820

AUSTRO EAST LONDONTel: +27 (0)87 350 8746

AUSTRO NELSPRUITTel: +27 (0)13 753 2879

www.austro.co.za

Austro Woodworking

www.austro.co.za

Laser light to ensure accurate reference and corrective cutting

HOLD-DOWN PRESSURE ROLLERSAccurately aligned pressure rollers extend from the cast iron machining head to provide absolute cutting tolerances, low maintenance, and superior safety

VARIABLE SPEED DRIVESIronwood JRS machines offer a variety of speed adjustments ranging from fixed speeds to vario speed drives with frequency inverters allowing for infinite feed speed control

HAND WHEEL ADJUSTMENTSConvenient positioning of hand wheel adjustments and analog scales for height positioning & blade settings

AUSTRO JRS12TK STRAIGHTLINE RIP SAW

ANTI-KICKBACK AND LASER


from page 50Modern modular timber homes from Swissline grow in popularity

A rendering that illustrates Swissline’s modular timber-frame home concept

provides us with only the highest of quality A grade timber at very good prices,” says Nadia

InsulationThe walls and floors are all insulated using Eco-insulation, a fire retardant, blow-in, recycled newspaper and eco-friendly thermal insulation and has a high acoustic and R-value. The R-value is the measure of an insulation product’s ability to restrict heat transfer, and therefore an indication of its insulation performance. The higher the

R-value the better the performance and effectiveness of the insulation. Swissline uses Eco-insulation with an R-value of 3.37.

DWD boardsA fairly new introduction from Germany in the domestic market, DWD boards are a formaldehyde-free bonded medium density fibre board (MDF) with a tongue and groove profile similar to that of laminated flooring.

It can be used in various applications and Swissline uses it mainly on exterior walls. It is vapour impermeable, windproof and rainproof.

It has passed all the relevant standards tests and Marc describes it as a breakthrough material. It

makes the construction of the modular elements easier to do and enhances the integrity of the structure and its cladding.

“We have years of experience planning, managing and executing timber construction projects of all kinds. Our newly established draughting department is helping us enhance our services. Our site teams are professional and reliable and we always stay on the job until the client is satisfied,” Nadia says.

A braai dome made by Swissline using Siberian larch

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American hard woods make Akin Dubai a hipster barber shopTucked away inside Burj Al Salam Tower in Dubai lies a hidden grooming gem for the UAE’s most discerning gentlemen – Akin Barber & Shop.

Akin, which means of the same kin, is unlike any other hair and beauty salon for men. Glossy black tiles, the finest furnishings, a cactus or two and The Sum of Us coffee on tap makes this place a member of the new movement

sweeping the UAE: the rise of the homegrown hipster.

Founded by regional entrepreneur, Australian Leith Matthews, Akin Barber & Shop offers haircuts, beard tune-ups, straight razor shaves, a curated concept store, and the caffeine kings‘ lattes and cold drip brews. Open six days a week the men’s beauty destination was inspired by the classic New York city barbershop.

Matthews chose Jonathan Ashmore of Anarchitect and Tarik Al Zaharna of T.ZED Architects to conceptualise and design his shop. “Leith Matthews identified an opportunity and was in the process of securing a really great location in Burj Al Salam when we had our initial project discussions,” says Ashmore. Having previously worked with Matthews on a collaboration commissioned for Art Dubai in 2012, Ashmore

and Al Zaharna were intrigued by the idea of a luxurious men’s salon in a limited 35 square metre space. “Responding to the brief, we wanted to reinterpret traditional barber shop elements,” says Al Zaharna.

“We set out to achieve a niche, high impact shop to tie together the design and function in a very tight space,” says Ashmore.

“We spent a lot of time on all the timber detailing. It needed to be robust, consistent and of standard timber section sizes to make it easier for the joinery contractor and to keep waste to a minimum,” says Al Zaharna.

The architects looked at methods of wall and floor construction in timber frame-houses and decided to incorporate the structural integrity of solid ash in the Akin Barber & Shop. All the framing is solid American ash, the wall panels and barber stations are ash veneer and the chevron flooring is American white oak to add a subtle contrast in colour and increased texture.

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The American ash was sourced by the main contractor on the project, Neo-Matrix who is based in Dubai. The team worked closely to select the right materials, finish and the bespoke design joints. The major challenge was the span of the self-supporting beams, which made it necessary for them to work with solid timber, which is less commonly used in Dubai, as it can be more expensive than using man-made boards with applied veneer finishes.

“We referenced Japanese style joinery techniques to find a way of maintaining robustness while being able to span four metres across the space without any bowing occurring.”

They used solid ash custom joinery with open grain to highlight juxtaposition between this natural material and the man-made existing concrete. The precise edges of powder-coated aluminium panels were used

to frame transitions and junctions between different primary materials.

The architects went with barbershop tradition with an inlaid brushed-brass Akin logo in the marble lobby floor, and black and white hexagonal mosaic tiles to distinguish the barbering area from the rest of the space. Key Akin collaborations included custom lighting projectors and recessed spots by PSLAB in Beirut, a ceiling fan by Boffi in Italy, and the basins that were made locally from Corian.

Project partnersProject Name: Akin Barber & ShopCompleted: September 2015Client: Akin Barber & ShopArchitects: Jonathan Ashmore of Anarchi tect and

Tarik Al Zaharna of T.ZED ArchitectsJoinery: Neo-MatrixArea: 35 square metresLocation: Burj Al Salam Tower, Dubai, UAEWood Species: American ash and white oakPhotography: Gerry O'Leary and Sandra Tinari

from page 53American hard woods make Akin Dubai a hipster barber shop


Studio Bruno Guelaff wins AHEC awardA boutique design studio was awarded the Outstanding use of American Hardwood in the Middle East prize at the Commercial Interior Design (CID) awards in Dubai.

The award, which was sponsored by the American Hardwood Export Council (Ahec) for the sixth year in a row was presented by Roderick Wiles, regional director of the Ahec, to Bruno Guelaff, executive

director at Studio Bruno Guelaff.

Studio Bruno Guelaff was praised by the judges for their “committed and inventive use of American white oak that defines the space and sets the material rhythm. The winner was awarded for “a dynamic and playful use of wood demonstrated in all aspects of the project from bottom to top.”

The judges were impressed with the fact that the concept was entirely wrapped around the material with wood being used in furniture, lighting and panelling.

In his submission, Guelaff explained that the client, the real estate company Unique Properties, wanted not only a space that would satisfy its logistical needs but a space that would make a bold design statement while creating an urban environment for its employees.

Material selection was the first and main focus on this project as Guelaff wanted to approach the wall cladding in a different manner. A wall of American white oak

Bruno Guelaff, executive director of Studio Bruno Guelaff (left) accepts the Outstanding use of American Hardwood in the Middle East Award from Roderick Wiles, regional director of the Ahec

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The boardroom’s angled wood cladding in white oak gives a treehouse effect


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spanning seven metres with a 2.5m high company logo cut-out greets visitors at the entrance of the office.

Angled wood cladding in white oak in front of all glass partitions gives a treehouse effect and provides privacy in a unique way.

All the work surfaces are made of American ash finished in a matte sealer to protect its light colour.

The ash brings a great natural feel to the work space and the light colour goes hand in hand with the sap from the oak.

A wall of American white oak spanning seven metres with a 2.5m high company logo cut-out greets visitors at the entrance of the office

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“This project was truly a work of passion. Every part of the project was custom designed besides computers and chairs.

“The wood in this project is the real star and drives the organic energy in the office therefore, it is heart-warming to win the Ahec award for this project as so much of our hard work focused on the very thing the award celebrates,” says Guelaff.

“The CID Awards have proved, time and again, to be an extremely popular, enjoyable and high profile event, attracting all the leading lights of the UAE’s design industry. For a once-a-year opportunity to get in front of the region’s specifying community, we couldn’t ask for anything better.

“Our category received a record number of nominations this year. We’ve seen for a long time that the Middle East is really committed to sustainable design in principle and through our partnership with the CID Awards, we aim to throw the spotlight on projects where material selection and design come together to make a true difference to the environmental footprint,” says Wiles.

Angled wood cladding in white oak in front of all glass partitions provides privacy in a unique way

from page 57Studio Bruno Guelaff wins AHEC award

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The sapwood is light colored to nearly white, and the darker heartwood varies per growing region. It is a strong, hard-wearing wood with excellent shock resistance, and is good for steam bending.

White oak

American white oak has a creamy colored sapwood and a light to dark brown heartwood.

White oak is mostly straight grained with a

medium to coarse texture, with longer rays than

red oak, producing a distinctive and attractive

grain pattern.

The wood is hard and heavy, with medium bending

and crushing strength. It is low in stiffness, but very

good in steam bending

American ashAmerican ash is a versatile light colored hardwood, with strong distinctive grain patterns.


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Networked production helps German joinery company “make a difference”The family-run Bavarian joinery company, Daxenberger, is reaping the benefits from the installation of a full Homag Group system, including a Holzma HP 300 beam saw and Homag Automation’s TLF 211 horizontal storage system.

Bernhard Daxenberger, co-managing director of the business explains: “Before we installed the new equipment our production process was not time efficient. It was taking us the same amount of time

to feed the saw as it did to cut the panels. Also our facility space was very restricted and it was difficult to carry on feeding the saw using forklift trucks.”

When the brothers Bernhard, Josef and Simon took over the company from their father, it was competitive, however time had passed and the industry had changed dramatically. In order to stay ahead of the competition, they realised they needed to implement measurable time and efficiency processes, maintain an effective workflow, and use as little space as possible for stock.

They decided it was time to invest in new technology, and, with the assistance of the Homag Group, embarked on the implementation of a fully networked process, from design to delivery.

The production line starts with the TLF 211 logistics system feeding a second and new Series 3 Holzma panel sizing saw. The TLF 211 has an ST61 suction cross rail support to transport materials to the beam saw, which is almost never idle. It can handle coated panels from 8mm thick.

The new Holzma HPP 300 saw enables the cutting of 20 large panels of up to 5600mm in length a day, and can be

Bernhard Daxenberger master joiner and co-director of the Daxenberger joinery, points to the barcode label - a decisive factor in networked production

The Holzma HPP 300 beam saw

connected to a storage system in a cost-effective way. The saw can be manually handled by one machine operator, and is networked. Features such as offcuts management, offcuts labelling and scanner connection were added.

The cut boards are fed into a single-sided KR 77 Optimat edge bander with an automatic panel return conveyor, and requires only one operator. The BOF 311 Profiline CNC machining centre then tackles the complex trimming and drilling tasks, and the Weeke BHX 055 Optimat processing centre takes care of standard processing operations.

“These machines work so efficiently that they have more than paid back the initial investment”, says an enthusiastic Bernhard. “Everything is computer based and networked to ensure steady throughput. Productivity has increased by up to 40 percent.”

Upstream of this, a window machine is located between the panel saw and the BHX. This machine does not need to be flexible and is equipped with tools for one profile. "Because we only build one type of window that is a proven product, we don’t need to be as flexible as a window specialist,” says Bernhard. Two sanding

Homag Automation’s TLF 211 horizontal panel storage system is the start of the networked manufacturing system.

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gfrom page 63Networked production helps German joinery company “make a difference”

machines are followed by the surface processing assembly, which consists of two wide belt sanding machines and two spray painting stations. Anyone looking around the factory will notice the absence of fork lifts and trolleys stacked with components parked wherever there’s space. “Thanks to the way we have organized the networked production, we no longer have to search and we always know where the material to be processed is located.

“We have substantially increased productivity with the same number of staff,” says Bernhard. He says he was amazed by the good cost to performance ratio and predicts that the “plant will have paid for itself in five years”. He firmly believes that the HPP 300 and TLF 211 combination is of interest to even smaller joineries.The local supplier of the Homag Group’s products, Donald Fuchs of Donald Fuchs Woodworking Machinery,

agrees with the Daxenburger brothers. Fuchs suggests that business owners who have the resources consider following the German company’s lead.

The Daxenberger office workstations, TLF 211 logistics system, CNC machines and software solutions are all networked. The Homag software system links every machine and hand-held bar code readers to the central computer. Bar code labels are printed out at the panel saw and attached to each component to control its passage through the production system. The bar code not only identifies the part but enables access to the bill of materials and work plan.

But this wasn’t enough for the Daxenbergers. They were aiming to achieve seamless networking and wanted Homag’s "Schreiner-Plus" software to “talk” to the

Hand held bar code scanners are used to control the movement of each component through the production process

The KR 77 one-sided edge banding machine with its automatic component return system needs only one machine operator

The BOF 311 profiline CNC processing centre is the second machine of this type at Daxenberger


company’s Imos 3D software and machine control systems. Friedrich Schweiger, the area manager for south east Bavaria, ensured that the Homag Group stepped up to the plate and achieved the integrated manufacturing process the company required.

“We realized that simply buying machines and different software programs would not be enough. All the effort paid off. I never want to return to the way we worked before,” says Bernhard.

a brief history of the daxenberger journeyThe Daxenberger carpentry business was founded by master carpenter Josef Daxenberger in 1963 in his in-law's garage with a workshop area of 60 square meters.

Two years later the first assistant was hired, and in 1966, the first carpentry trainee joined them. In 1970, a new workshop was built, and after the last extension in Truchtlaching in 1988, the effective work and storage area was 1000 square meters.

The philosophy of the founder, “excellent personal contact and first-class work” allowed the company to continue to grow and forced them to build new premises on the meadow in neighboring Seeon. After 18 months of construction, the company moved into the new operating premises in October 1996 with a team of 35 employees.

In 1997, the founder Josef senior retired and his sons, Bernhard, Josef and Simon took over the management of the joinery. The three sons have continued to develop the company they inherited and have equipped the joinery with the latest machines and computer technology.

It was, however, very important to them to be able to say that their joinery, which now employs 85 people, has remained a business dedicated to craftsmanship.

Eighty percent of sales are to private customers who value excellent quality and exclusive joinery work. Thanks to the integration of computers into their business and the relatively high level of automation, the three brothers are able to apply for tenders. Their motto is: “unterschiede schaffen” (make a difference).

The pride and joy of the Daxenbergers: window scantlings are trimmed so that they cover the profile of the moulding and do not show any joints

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Festool launches its Sysrock BR 10 construction site radioFestool has extended its "unplugged" battery-powered product range with a new construction site radio, which offers high-quality sound, is compact and lightweight, has a Bluetooth interface and an integrated hands-free function.

The Sysrock is compatible with a wide range of smartphones and other music players, and is ideal as an attractive and unobtrusive companion on the construction site and in the workshop. It is available

locally from Vermont Sales.

The radio has a specially designed resonance chamber. This, in combination with its digital signal processor (DSP) and dynamic range control (DRC) allows the new Sysyrock to offer a balanced, full and perfect sound at any volume.

Festool has also equipped the radio with a powerful 2.5-inch neodymium loudspeaker with a flexible aerial

and a sturdy housing with an impact-resistant and non-slip rubber surround.

The modern design and LCD display makes the construction site radio intuitive and easy to use.It can be operated and charged via an interface using Festool 10.8-18-volt Li-ion battery packs or the mains adapter provided.

The Bluetooth interface and integrated aux-in socket makes it easy for users to connect the Sysrock to smartphones, MP3 players and tablets. In conjunction with a smartphone and the hands-free function, it can therefore also be used to make telephone calls.


Karen Boshoff wins the PG Bison 1.618 student design competitionThe annual PG Bison design competition awards evening took place in October and Karen Boshoff from Inscape Education Group in Johannesburg won the all-expenses-paid trip for herself and her lecturer, Anja Holtzhausen, to the 2017, Furniture Fair in Milan, Italy.

The PG Bison 1.618 Awards evening was held at The Good Luck Bar, in downtown Johannesburg. The theme of the evening was The Charmed Society of Stylish Persons, and guests turned out in their finery to

support the finalists who had been styled to suit the event.

Masasa Mbangeni was the master of ceremonies and hosted the event. The ceremony allowed all finalists to reveal a little of their personalities. The thankyou speech by Karen Boshoff was especially touching when she explained how her hard work and persistence had finally paid off after many setbacks and rejections.

The 2016 brief tasked students with creating a space for a collective put together to work on a massive international sporting event which would be hosted in Port Elizabeth. Cape Recife Lighthouse on the Southern tip of Algoa Bay located within the bounds of the Cape Recife Nature Reserve, was chosen to house the collective.

All finalists’ work was displayed on custom displays to showcase their artwork. PG Bison’s managing director of Surface Innovations, Philip Roux explains that ‘’We want to

create an opportunity for our up and coming designers to showcase their talents. We love seeing these young designers developing through the educational system, and this competition creates an incredible opportunity and stepping stone for their careers.”

The winning students for 2016 are:1st Place: karen Boshoff from Inscape Education Group in Johannesburg.Valued at R120 000.00, Karen won an all-expenses-paid trip for herself and her lecturer to the 2017 Furniture Fair in Milan, Italy.

2nd Place: dominic Ferreira from the University of the Witwatersrand. Dominic won an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2017 Design Indaba in Cape Town, plus R3 000 in cash.

3rd Place: Carli kuschke from the University of Pretoria. Carli won R10 000 in cash.

The remaining finalists each received a R2 000 cash prize.

The finalists of the PG Bison 1.618 design competition celebrate their achievements. The winner, Karen Boshoff is standing in the centre of the back row.


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october 2016 vol. 41. no. 12 · 2 october 2016 // wood southern africa & timber times october...

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