Thin-Kerf Does Not Mean Small Production

Thin-Kerf Does Not Mean Small Production I’ve spent more than a decade servicing industrial sawmills. I’ve worked with High-grade hardwood operations, high-volume pine facilities, pallet lumber plants running at scale, and niche portable mill businesses. Despite the differences between these operations, one truth stands out across all of them: the mills that win are the ones that treat yield […]
Established Magoebaskloof Sawmill Operation Presents Rare Acquisition Opportunity

Established Magoebaskloof Sawmill Operation Presents Rare Acquisition Opportunity A unique opportunity has become available to acquire an established and fully operational sawmilling and timber processing facility located in the heart of one of South Africa’s recognised timber-growing regions. This going concern offers an ideal opportunity for an existing sawmiller looking to expand capacity, an industry […]
Does the Rhino Resaw Make Profit for Sawmillers?

Does the Rhino Resaw Make Profit for Sawmillers? Short answer: Yes! Long Answer. Also Yes! But lets break it down for you further, here is why: 1/3 – Rhino Maximizes Timber Yield: A band resaw is the best machine for timber optimisation, allowing the sawmiller to cut precise and accurate sizes without the blade-kerf waste […]
Solid steel is the key

Solid steel is the key When it comes to the backbone of Rhino Sawmills a top-tier sawmill, solid steel band wheels play a big role! In our new R-Series models,the Rhino R750 and R950 this is the standard. These are not just ordinary band wheels that you find on average sawmill machines; these are meticulously crafted for […]
Highest Recovery. Highest Speed.

Highest Recovery. Highest Speed. One line – all your production – and more! Small Log Line USNR provides complete, automated primary breakdown lines and machinery optimised specifically for processing small logs. Their small log systems focus on high-speed throughput (up to 700 feet per minute) and maximum fiber recovery and are designed to accommodate logs […]
Steady Recovery, New Beginnings and a Look Ahead to the SSA AGM

Steady Recovery, New Beginnings and a Look Ahead to the SSA AGM I start this month’s newsletter on a very sad note. Our much-loved and respected colleague, Louis du Plessis, passed away on Saturday, 25th April. Louis had taken over the family business, NewSaw and grown it into a highly respected supplier of sawmilling solutions to […]
From Risk to Resilience: Strengthening the Timber Industry Together

From Risk to Resilience: Strengthening the Timber Industry Together It is mind-blowing that we have come to the end of March, with first quarter of 2026 behind, and for those of you with kids in school, the end of Term 1. I suppose we have had many distractions, both locally and globally, with the antics by […]
Uncomplicated Efficiency For Your Sawmill

Uncomplicated Efficiency For Your Sawmill In a world of increasing complexity, your sawmill needs equipment that is powerful, easy to operate, and simple to maintain. At Pinnacle Systems Automation, we specialise in manufacturing high-quality machinery designed for remote locations where reliability is everything. We are excited to highlight the Multirip Light—a secondary saw engineered to […]
SASDEA Annual Conference 2026

SASDEA Annual Conference 2026 Don’t miss the South African Saw Doctors Education Association (SASDEA) conference! Traditionally, the conference has focused on specifying, maintaining, fault-finding, and repairing circular, horizontal, and framesaw blades, tooling, and knives used in sawmills and value-adding plants. Robert Welsh, SASDEA’s Chairperson, says that to ensure the content remains practical, relevant and […]
Low Density Challenges In The Woodchips Of E. Smithii And Acacia Mearnsii

Low Density Challenges In The Woodchips Of E. Smithii And Acacia Mearnsii During the past year, NCT’s main wood chip customers in Asia have expressed concern about a decline in wood chip quality,particularly in wood density. This is a serious issue because it affects: the financial outcomes for our customers; trust and confidence in NCT […]
Sawmilling South Africa News Update

Sawmilling South Africa News Update With two months of 2026 having flown by, it certainly doesn’t feel like a new year with business and life back to normal. We have a busy March ahead so take note of the dates of various engagements. We are also encourage that our sawmills are reporting a positive start […]
Pinnacle Systems Automation – Welcome to 2026!

Pinnacle Systems Automation – Welcome to 2026! Pinnacle Systems Automation – Precision. Throughput. Profit. The Pusher Crosscut isn’t just a saw; it’s a high-performance workhorse designed to eliminate the bottlenecks in your mill. By integrating precision servo-actuation with intelligent length optimisation, we’ve built a machine that squeezes every bit of value out of your raw […]
From Standing Timber to Clean Boards — The New LogPro Sawmills by Nukor

From Standing Timber to Clean Boards — The New LogPro Sawmills by Nukor In forestry and sawmilling, adaptability is everything. Logs aren’t always where the power is — and production doesn’t stop just because conditions change. That’s where the new LogPro portable sawmill range comes into its own. Designed for professionals who need dependable […]
De Smidt’s Timbers, Sawmill & Transportation.

De Smidt’s Timbers, Sawmill & Transportation. Situated in Unitaspark, Vereeniging our company is setup with a sawmill to produce timber products such as: Timber planks,shavings, Sawdust for processing plants & much much more… Our team’s experience in the timber industry enables us to provide you with any product made from wood with excellent service. We […]
Imperial Timbers Building ‘Pallet King’ Status with Rhino Sawmills

Imperial Timbers Building ‘Pallet King’ Status with Rhino Sawmills “We’ve enjoyed working with Rhino from the start. They’re friendly, helpful machine experts that have supported and advised us to help build our business. In total, Rhino’s products have been game changers for us.” – Chad, Director at Imperial Timbers Imperial Timbers Pallet Manufacturing combines […]
Competition Commission approves sale of sawmill by Sappi to Normandien Farms

Competition Commission approves sale of sawmill by Sappi to Normandien Farms Paper and pulp producing group Sappi Southern Africa has announced that the Competition Commission has approved its sale of the Lomati Sawmill, in Mpumalanga, to another South African group, sawmilling and forestry company Normandien Farms. The approval was granted without conditions. “We are pleased […]
Africa’s True Big 5 Sawmills

Africa’s True Big 5 Sawmills As the toughest animals to hunt in Africa, the Big Five stands for what it takes to endure and excel in Africa. Wood-Mizer’s Big Five Sawmills are also deeply rooted in Africa, their built-tough grit allowing sawmillers in Africa to thrive. LT15 – The King of the Jungle Far outstripping […]
50 YEARS experience in the SAWMILLING INDUSTRY

50 YEARS experience in the SAWMILLING INDUSTRY “We have 50 years of combined experience and with these changing times need to be internationally competitive. We cannot be introspective in either attitude or business principles” comments Neil Murray (Founder and CEO) Pinnacle-SA (formerly known as Multisaw), is proud to offer a range of machinery that include […]
Talking Timber webinar – Timber Decking and Pole Construction

Talking Timber webinar – Timber Decking and Pole Construction This webinar explored best practices, material choices, and design considerations for timber decking and pole construction in both residential and commercial applications. Whether you were a designer, builder, or timber enthusiast, the session offered valuable insights into specifying and maintaining durable, timeless timber surfaces. View recording […]
The Wood App | Deck Building and Pole Construction Workshop | 8 April 2025, George

The Wood App | Deck Building and Pole Construction Workshop | 8 April 2025, George Calling all architects, building professionals, and timber enthusiasts in the George area! Don’t miss the Deck Building and Pole Construction Workshop taking place on 8 April 2025 at the NMU George Campus, Saasveld. Presented by The WoodApp in partnership with […]
How To Change a Sawmill Bandsaw Blade

How To Change a Sawmill Bandsaw Blade Replacing a used or blunt blade on your Wood-Mizer sawmill is a necessary part of the sawmill’s daily maintenance schedule, even more so if the sawmill runs each day. Wood-Mizer recommends that the blade is changed every 1.5 hours (1h:30min) to maintain optimal cutting performance. However, this […]
Wood-Mizer Africa Regional Director Structure Change

Wood-Mizer Africa Regional Director Structure Change As part of Wood-Mizer’s continued growth into the future, Bruce Husi, Wood-Mizer Africa’s current Regional Director for Africa, has been presented with an exciting opportunity to transition internally to WM Sawmilling Solutions, which he has accepted. This move will see Malcolm Corns, Wood-Mizer’s current General Manager, assume the role […]
How to shop for the right sawmill

How to shop for the right sawmill After sacrifices, hard earned savings, research late into the night, what comes next to choose the right sawmill. Check out these guidelines from Wood-Mizer to avoid costly mistakes and regrets. First-time sawmill buyers and even experienced sawmillers often have a tough time deciding which sawmill to buy to […]
Advanced Sawmill Technology: Precision Cutting and Reduced Defects

Advanced Sawmill Technology: Precision Cutting and Reduced Defects Sawmills are the backbone of the lumber industry, transforming raw logs into the essential building blocks for countless applications. Sawmilling is driven by technological advancements that optimise processes, maximise yield, and prioritise worker safety. At Pinnacle SA, we recognise the significance of precision cutting in the modern […]






