Merensky invests in a modern timber hub in Cape Town
Merensky invests in a modern timber hub in Cape Town
Merensky's new Cape Town depot stocks a range of mouldings and laminated timber products.
Merensky Timber has relocated its Cape Town Depot from Transnet Park in Belville to its new, purpose-built, and expansive warehouse facility, complete with a weighbridge, CCA timber treatment plant and a paved yard that accommodates turning interlinks in Dynamo Way, Wimbledon Estate in Blackheath.
By Joy Crane
Pieter Spies, Merensky’s regional manager, enthusiastically welcomed guests to the vast and sparkling premises at the official opening in November. He and the depot staff were visibly proud of their new working environment and the opportunities it opened for the company in the Western Cape.
“Transnet Park was our base for almost 19 years, and for some time, we have searched for more appropriate and accessible premises. Cape Town’s building, furniture and woodworking industries are growing, and we wanted a larger, more appealing depot with ample all-weather manoeuvrable space for trucks”, Spies explained.
Constructing the greenfield premises took determination, patience and hard work because heavy rain and flooding in the city delayed preparations for almost a month. It also impacted the relocation of the CCA timber treatment plant. However, Dolphin Bay handled the plant's design, moving, installation, and commissioning in their stride.
Merensky owns and sustainably manages over 65,000 hectares of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified pine and eucalyptus sawlog plantations in South Africa. “The depot offers Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified pine and eucalyptus structural timber and value-added products of superior quality in any quantity required”, says Spies. Phillip Tshikudho, Merensky’s operations manager at the Singisi Forest Products sawmill in the Eastern Cape, attended the opening. He said, “I am proud to stand in a warehouse hundreds of kilometres away showcasing the quality pine products we produce from our forests and sawmill”.
Neelanthri Naidoo, Phillip Tshikhudo and Mark Frey of Merensky with Michael Alhadeff of Tiger Timbers.
Mark Frey, the company’s marketing and sales executive, said the timber hub is a refreshing approach to traditional timber distribution methods. “We are diversifying by adding a comprehensive range of value-added eucalyptus products, including tongue-and-groove, skirtings and mouldings. Our imported species line-up is expanding to include meranti, okumi, walnut and light-coloured woods that are all FSC-certified”.
“We are moving closer to our customers to hear what they need and try to meet their expectations. For example, we are ready to supply companies needing small batches of timber rather than a full bundle, " said Frey.
Merensky's Western Cape Regional Sales Manager Pieter Spies with Wayne Jacobs who operates the CCA treatment plant at the new Merensky depot.
Merensky stocks a variety of FSC certified soft and hardwoods and treated timber in bundles or small batches.
