In much of East Africa, a sawmill is simply known as a ‘Wood-Mizer’, says Adrian Beaumont, Managing Director of Husky Africa Group, Wood-Mizer’s distributor in the region through its subsidiary, Husky Outdoor Equipment. “That’s a very strong position to be in.” The forestry, park, and garden product company has represented Wood-Mizer in Kenya and Uganda for nearly three years, and it soon plans to expand the brand's presence in the Eastern DRC region.
Beaumont explains that the synergy between Wood-Mizer and Husqvarna, both world-class brands entrenched in the forestry sector, makes them an excellent combination. "Husqvarna forestry products are vital tools for the forestry industry in Africa. Wood-Mizer sawmills and timber processing products can then be used to process the timber straight from the forest to its final form. Our partnership evolved because of this authentic association, our brand reach, and our plans to build, and it is based on a solid foundation of being fully in tune with the forestry environment in East Africa. It's great to work with two global, established brands that work hand-in-hand in an industry that we are passionate about.”
Despite challenges presented by the six-year Kenya logging ban, Uganda logging restrictions and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on general and energy commodity prices in the region, Beaumont is optimistic about future growth in East Africa. "We're excited to see our business in Uganda expanding, and we see huge potential in Kenya and the Eastern DRC. We have an established customer base in all three countries, particularly in Kenya and Uganda, which are strong markets for us in both large and small-scale production."
Before the ban, Kenya was Wood-Mizer's second-largest market in Africa after Ghana, says Wood-Mizer Africa Lead Mark Thompson. "While numbers had dropped off severely during the ban, its lifting will bring respite to the timber industry. We’re confident that working with Husky Outdoor Equipment, we can return to former levels as forestry opens up again."
Thompson explains that an expanded and well-managed forestry sector is the first step in the Kenyan government's triple-line recovery programme for its timber economy. The next is developing an efficient and modern sawmilling industry that can break logs down into sawn timber with the least waste. Adding downstream beneficiation in the shape of value addition is the final step, to produce finished goods that earn maximum profits, create jobs, and add momentum to replant more trees.
“With forests still recovering, it's crucial to ensure timber is harvested and processed sustainably across the region, says Thompson. “Wood-Mizer can play an important part in that. Our thin-kerf sawmilling technology offers an efficient, environmentally friendly option, reducing waste and power consumption while maximising timber recovery.”
Alister Ryan, a former Wood-Mizer employee, has moved across to the Husky team to nurture the Kenya, Uganda, and Eastern DRC business. Born and bred in the sawmilling industry, Ryan has an in-depth knowledge of Wood-Mizer products gained over eight years of working for the company in Africa and internationally.
While there are strict regulations around permit applications, Ryan says there is a lot of activity in the market in anticipation of the logging ban lifting in Kenya. “Sawmillers are re-entering the market with the Wood-Mizer LT40 and LT70 models, as those are familiar to them. Some buy the smaller equipment, such as the LT15, and then upgrade their equipment once they are more established. These smaller sawmills help entrepreneurs gain a foothold in the market and then expand. We’re working on sustaining these relationships and supporting sawmillers to be successful in the market.”
Although the economic impact of the Russia - Ukraine war has meant skyrocketing fuel costs, Ryan says Uganda's market shows promising signs of growth. “Formerly a predominantly petrol-based market due to power issues, the country's growing electricity infrastructure is now definitely driving more interest in electric machines. Bank finance is also becoming accessible for those with good credit records and sawmill contracts.”
Ryan has extensive experience in Uganda, previously assisting in the installation of industrial sawmilling machinery lines for the two largest forestry and sawmilling companies in the country. These international firms manage well-rotated mass plantations of mostly Caribbea Pine and Eucalyptus Grandis, operating under European and American sustainability principles. The company's large industrial-scale Wood-Mizer lines have been supplied and supported for many years with Ryan’s involvement.
Besides these major players, a rising number of local entrepreneurs owning small private plantations are entering the market. The Husky team assists these entrepreneurs in processing their timber, a practice that proves up to 40% more profitable than selling unprocessed logs.
“In Uganda, sawmillers use mobile petrol sawmills to process logs on-site, reducing the expenses of long-distance log transportation. A popular model is the Wood-Mizer LX50 G14, known for its affordability and profitability,” says Ryan. “We’ve also seen an uptick in the purchase of the LT15 G19 sawmills, which are larger with higher cutting capacity.”
Again, Wood-Mizer’s modular range allows sawmillers to expand their businesses over time, providing an affordable entry point for small, locally-owned businesses. The modularity of the range also makes it easy to slot new equipment into existing sawmilling lines with minimal disruption and at the lowest cost.
Wood-Mizer's success in these markets also hinges on the availability and accessibility of blades, spares, and sharpening equipment. “Everything in Africa is remote. Customers travel for hours to purchase blades and parts and having the right stock available to them is essential,” says Ryan. “Our teams are on the road to assist customers to reduce downtimes on machines. We also organise regular training on machine maintenance and blade sharpening. That’s where the appreciation of the Wood-Mizer brand really comes through.”
The Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a prime market for expansion. The region's fertile soil, rich timber resources and diverse tree species present significant potential for the forestry and timber processing industry, says Beaumont.
Husky has employed a business development specialist to establish the brand in the DRC through its subsidiary and with local dealers. Existing Wood-Mizer products in the area have already paved the way for this expansion, and Beaumont anticipates high demand for their equipment and support in the market, indicating plans for further growth development in the DRC similar to the plans in Kenya and Uganda.
The partnership between Wood-Mizer and Husky Outdoor Equipment is set to make a significant impact on East Africa's forestry industry. Working together, they provide cost-efficient solutions for the region, fostering economic growth and sustainability in the forestry sector. “We believe sawmills can transform the way timber is grown, harvested, and processed in Africa by minimising waste and empowering local businesses. When forests improve lives, people will protect the natural resource and regrow forests, with long-term sustainability as the end result,” says Thompson.
“It’s amazing to see the entrepreneurship and will. It gives us hope to see small sawmilling businesses growing in East Africa. With Wood-Mizer in our stable, we are able to support and satisfy this market in such a good way,” Beaumont concludes. “We’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
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