Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure sawmill services, specifically stacking, destacking, and rework, for a period of 18 months. The aim is to ensure efficient handling, processing, and management of timber products in line with safety, quality, and operational standards set by SAFCOL.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Stacking of wet (green) lumber boards into kiln stacks at the Wetmill Department.
• Destacking and rework of timber, including handling of various dimensions and grades.
• Provision of all resources, personnel, and equipment necessary for stacking, destacking, and rework activities.
• Maintenance of equipment such as chains, rollers, sprockets, belts, and saw blades to ensure high availability.
• Adherence to safety standards, housekeeping, and quality control protocols.
• Reporting on quality, production volumes, product mix, and grades.
• Provision of personnel for shifts, overtime, and public holiday services as required.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Compliance with safety standards and protocols aligned with Komatiland Forests (SAFCOL) standards.
• Use of sample boards with specified dimensions (e.g., 5.4 - 6.6m length) for quality assurance.
• Proper formation of kiln stacks with specified dimensions and load balancing principles.
• Compliance with grading standards according to SANS requirements, ensuring timber is graded to S5 grade.
• Efficient operation and maintenance of destacking lines, including chains, rollers, sprockets, belts, and saw blades.
• Monitoring recovery losses and controlling waste generation.
• Adherence to specified timber dimensions, moisture content, and quality standards.
• Implementation of housekeeping, safety checks, and daily reporting procedures.

Skills Requirements

The skills and personnel requirements include:

• Experienced personnel with relevant qualifications in sawmilling, forestry, or operations management.
• Key personnel such as Contract Managers with qualifications in wood technology, forestry, or related fields, and a minimum of 3 years’ experience.
• Supervisors with specific sawmilling or operations management qualifications and relevant experience.
• Administrative staff with at least matric qualification and computer literacy.
• Skilled operators for destacking, trimming, grading, and other operational roles.
• Provision of all necessary PPE and safety training for personnel.
• Capacity to provide and manage vehicles and equipment, including ownership or lease agreements, with proof of compliance.
• Ability to provide human resources for shifts, overtime, and public holiday services, in line with employment laws and safety standards.