PSP Timbers: The power of family
The South African timber treatment trade often feels like an extended family, where everybody knows everybody else and competitors work together to protect the future of the industry.
That family spirit is especially strong at PSP Timbers, a Dolphin Bay customer based in Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo.
Constant de Waal recently bought the business from his father-in-law Sias van Greunen, and as Managing Director is continuing to build the family enterprise.
It’s not only those near and dear to Sias and Constant that are involved: the staff also includes other families. “And we get along a lot better at home than we do at the office,” said Constant with a smile – he knew the question was coming.
“As with any family business, if we have struggles, it’s always at the office.”
Sias’s daughter Lizél – Constant’s wife – is a company director who takes care of the legal and financial side of things; and Nico van der Merwe, who’s a nephew, is production manager. “When I visit their offices, I often see three or all four of them,” observed Dolphin Bay Sales Executive Braam Rust.
The Oudtshoorn plant now offers a wide range of services, from CCA treatment to creosote treatment, boron treatment, a raw timber processing yard, and a fully equipped sawmill.
The company was started in the early 1990s; Sias and his nephew Pieter van Greunen bought into the business in 1995, intending to be silent partners with Paul Terblanche. “That’s where the company name comes from,” Braam explained. “PSP stands for Paul, Sias and Pieter.”
Seeing its potential, Sias bought the business outright in 1997, drawing on his experience as a successful insurance broker and financial advisor to grow the company. Now, this will be Constant’s job.
PSP Timbers now has about 150 permanent staff and 350 contractors working 12-hour shifts. The Oudtshoorn plant offers a wide range of services, from CCA timber treatment to creosote treatment, boron treatment, a raw timber processing yard, and a fully equipped sawmill.
“We’re a well-established business focusing on keeping our base solid and continuing to provide excellent products to our customers,” said Constant.
Oudtshoorn, however, does seem like a strange place to base a timber business. “Ja, there aren’t many trees in this part of the world,” he laughed. “Look, our transport costs are obviously higher than some of our competitors who are based closer to timber plantations, in George, Mossel Bay, Knysna, and so on. But our big advantage is that the weather in Oudtshoorn helps a lot with the natural drying of the timber, so our stock levels can be much lower than the businesses on the other side of the Outeniqua Pass. We also have easier access to the co-ops in the Overberg and to the west.”
PSP Timbers is a valued Dolphin Bay customer and one that shares our values. “With nearly 30 years in the business, PSP Timbers is a very well-run company,” Braam concluded.
Source: Dolphin Bay
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