Country Woods Durban
December 2008
Dear Fellow Wood Lovers,
As 2008 draws to a close and we reflect back on a year of world wide economic recessions, huge oil price fluctuations, tornado’s in our back yard, ZANU PF nearly losing its stranglehold on Zimbabwe and Barack Obama becoming America’s first black president we certainly can’t say we live in a boring world.
It’s been a year of many changes. We’ve seen markets slip, fuel prices go through the roof and then come back down again and a rand that has behaved like a yo-yo. Still some of our customers are reporting 2008 to be their busiest year ever. It certainly has made people open their eyes, broaden their horizons and dig deep to build character. Many companies and countries have talked them selves into a recession, but we’ve chosen to look up and think positive. The work is still out there, we just have to work a little harder and be a little cleverer to find it.
Let’s hope that those that have dug in their heels will be rewarded in 2009, after all there is still a lot of work to be done in preparation for the World Cup and we should all be getting a spin off from that.
Closer to home, we have found that despite the slow down, we have remained busy. The phones are still ringing hot, the trucks are going out fully laden every day and the order books are full. We couldn’t ask for more.
To keep the exotic wood lovers hooked we’ve recently brought in some exceptional quality African Blackwood, also known as Zebrawood, but more correctly termed Dalbergia melanoxylon. We have a wide range of turning blocks for the knife, sword and walking stick makers, and those of you wanting to turn a masterpiece, make a guitar or even carve some chessmen. We also have good turning stocks of Tamboti and Leadwood.
Recently I went on a field trip with Thembinkosi up to Zululand to source Red Ivory. We got permission from one of the private game reserves to clear the logs from the trees that had been pushed over by elephants. It was a very interesting exercise in learning about the scarcity and hence value of this highly sought after timber. Seeing as the elephants only push over one or two trees every couple of miles, we did a lot of driving to find trees suitable for harvesting. The majority of the trees were less than 200mm in diameter and therefore too small to warrant taking out. The ones that were big enough had trunks of up to 2m long and weighed what seemed like a few tons when the sun was beating down and there was not a Bell-loader in sight for 100km. The overall haul was somewhat disappointing as we only got about a bakkie and trailer load worth of logs after 8 hours in Zululand’s hottest weather, but we saw a lot of game and managed to bring back some prime logs. We are hoping to have the logs sawn into billets early next year, so pop in and get your hands on some of this rare ivory.
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, we have been selling trees, using the slogan, “use a tree, plant a tree.” The majority of the trees stocked are of commercial value in the timber trade, namely Stinkwood, Yellowwood, Wild Olive, Milkwood, Sneezewood, Ironwood, Tamboti and Red Ivory. Over the last two months, we’ve sold close on 40 trees, so we’re on our way to saving the planet one tree at a time.
Some more news is that Country Woods has recently become an agent for the Cape Town based “Envirotouch” products. Envirotouch has a range of eco-friendly wood finishes called, “Pro Nature.” They do a range of sealers and waxes and shellac polishes that are all 100% natural and contain elements such as beeswax, plant oils and resins. Come in and try a tin. All products are easy to apply and are well priced.
For those of you that couldn’t make our Christmas party, you missed out on a lot of fun. Thankfully the weather held out and we ate and drank and a merry time was had by all. I think our Christmas party is becoming somewhat of a tradition, so hopefully we’ll see more of our loyal customers next year.
Before I sign off, I must tell you that our Plantation Teak is out of the kilns and starting to sell already. I am so impressed by the stuff that I have bought some myself as an investment for my retirement. Don’t waste time, as this wood is hard to get and won’t last long.
Lastly as we look forward to Goodman Mzizi’s return from Johannesburg, we bid Nick Bezuidenhout farewell. Nick has been with us for 2 years as a sales rep and will be missed by the team. He is going over to the UK to fulfill his dream of working in the music industry. He has been leading church worship locally for the past 6 years and has finally been given an opportunity to go full time into the career that he is passionate about.
On behalf of the directors, managers and staff of Country Woods Durban, I would like to thank every person that has bought wood from us this year for your support. You guys are why we are here and we love serving you. Please note that we are closing at noon on Friday the 19th of December and will re-open on the 12th of January 2009. Have a wonderful break and a merry Christmas.
Yours in fine woodworking
Hans Schneemann and the Durban team