TWK Agri was initially established by timber farmers. The aim was to assist in the marketing of their timber products, mainly Wattle bark and timber. This has subsequently expanded to also include other species of timber, mainly Eucalyptus and Pine logs as well as a variety of other timber products, not only for TWK’s farmers but for the South African timber industry as a whole.
TWK WOODCHIP MILL
TWK owns and operates a world-class woodchip production and export facility in Richards Bay, South Africa, with the capability of producing and exporting 900 000 tons of woodchips per annum.
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We have been successfully producing and exporting high-quality woodchips for more than 30 years. Our customer base includes some of the largest pulp and paper producers in Japan, China and India.
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We produce two woodchip products ideally suited to the production of pulp and paper products:
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Acacia mearnsii woodchips
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Mixed eucalyptus woodchips
TWK RESEARCH
TWK is actively involved in different aspects of research to create sustainable forestry not only for ourselves but also for the different suppliers of wood fibre and products.
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This is achieved through:
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Investing in genetically improved material and research in silviculture, harvesting and risk mitigation. With the help of the FABI, where it is represented, TWK is actively involved in research by monitoring forestry diseases and pests. TWK supports research into forestry, undertaken by the ICFR. TWK is also represented on the board of the ICFR.
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Information service
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Field days
TIMBER MARKETING
We obtain and supply sustainable quality processed and unprocessed timber products to local and international markets and also market timber products on behalf of our suppliers.
We continually cultivate and develop new and existing markets and/or niche markets for the suppliers of our processed and unprocessed timber products.
Our experts give advice and/or manage harvesting operations, as well as manage a complete range of forest activities.
PLANTATION MANAGEMENT
TWK Agri manages plantations on behalf of property owners nationally and in Africa. It strictly follows successful and sustainable forestry practices to ensure sustainability and responsibility for future generations.
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TWK Agri mentors previously disadvantaged timber growers who are beneficiaries of land reform and land redistribution in South Africa.
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TWK Agri is a founding member and current member of the Mkondo Fire Protection Association (MFPA) and a founding member and current member of the Mpumalanga Forestry Wildfire Committee (MFWC)
LIVESTOCK
TWK Agri promotes the agro forestry principle, which leads to an improved income on forestry land. Beef and goat farming on forestry land is one of the farming activities introduced on plantations.
TRADE
TRADE
TRADE
TRADE
AFFILIATES
Shiselweni Forestry Company Ltd – Company Reg. No 99 of 196
Shiselweni Forestry Company (SFC) is a forestry company in Swaziland with wattle, eucalyptus and pine plantations. SFC is a founding member and a current member of the Swaziland Fire Protection Association.
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SAWCO Mining Timber Company (Pty) Ltd – Company Reg. No 353 of 1984
SAWCO Mining Timber consists of two multipurpose sawmills in Swaziland. The sawmills manufacture eucalyptus and pine products for the South African and international markets.
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STTP SAWCO Treated Timber Products
SAWCO Treated Timber Products has a treated timber plant in Swaziland.
TREE CULTIVATION
TWK History
Fifty-two members of the Piet Retief Wattle Growers and Timber Association, with a total membership of 114, and owning over 40 000 acres (16 000 ha) of wattle plantations, met with the aim of registering their association as a co-operative in June 1940. The Transvaal Wattle Growers Co-operative Agricultural Company Limited was registered on 21 June 1940.
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The primary goal of the co-operative was to promote the marketing of the timber and bark of its members. Although this was a top priority throughout the years, the board of directors soon realised this should not be their only responsibility. Provision should also be made to supply the necessary production materials to its members.
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During the 42nd Annual General Meeting in 1982, the name was changed to the Transvaal Wattle Growers Co-operative Limited, abbreviated to TWK.
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TWK has progressed over the years and developed into a remarkable company, providing its members and the community with various products and services to supply all their needs.
"Farmers with a common interest and goal – united and co-operative – that is what we are." (JC (Tol) Veldman, former general manager, 1991.)
FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABILITY, THE TWK SLOGAN REMAINS "SERVICE".