Read the full April Newsletter HERE

As we start to prepare for winter, we are mindful that with it comes the dreaded fire season once more. We hope that this year will be relatively incident-free as we certainly don’t need any fire-related calamities on top of an already tough year.

On this note, it would appear from reports that the structural producers have had it a little worse than their industrial counterparts. This is exactly why we are placing such emphasis on the hunt for export opportunities.

To this end, we are targeting the Kenya Wood Expo in Nairobi in June, and with the assistance of the dtic and Standard Bank and liaison with SA Trade Desk in Beijing, our sights are also set on Chinese market opportunities.

However, it is not all plain sailing, as with our experience in Australia, the Chinese grades and dimensions will be challenging for SA mills. This will involve a lot more due diligence.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND DATES TO DIARISE

KITCHEN SPECIALIST ASSOCIATION – GAUTENG INDUSTRY SHOWCASE
Calling the kitchen industry, architects, interior designers, developers and builders. The KSA is hosting a day of networking, CPD talks, new product showcases and much more.

10:45             SONAE ARAUCO: The Built Environment – Where are we?
12:00             UNION TILES: An introduction – Large Format Porcelain & Natural Stone
13:45              KSA/IID/SACP: Cooperation & conflict avoidance amongst built environment
14:45             PG BISON: Board – How it’s made, applications and trends

Venue:          Riversands Farm Village – Rose Rd, Knopjeslaagte, Midrand

No charge to attend if you RSVP by 10 May; Cost for arrival on day without RSVP – R250 p/p exact cash only. 
To RSVP and book to attend CPD talks, reply here or gauteng@ksa.co.za

FORESTRY SA AGM
The month of May will see our colleagues in the timber growing sector holding the Forestry SA AGM on 23 May in Howick in the KZN midlands. As always, it should be an interesting reflection on the year past and the outlook for the greater forestry sector.

TALKING TIMBER WEBINARS
We are currently planning the year’s Talking Timber webinar series. If you are not already on our distribution list, please add your details here.