First MDF Board Pressed at PG Bison’s World-Class Manufacturing Facility in Mkhondo
Mkhondo, South Africa – May 22, 2024: PG Bison marks another milestone with the production of the first board off its newly commissioned medium-density fibreboard (MDF) line at its Mkhondo cluster. The new line significantly increases PG Bison’s MDF production capabilities and innovation enables the company to meet the growing demand for MDF across Africa and beyond.
The commissioning of the R1.875 billion MDF line underscores PG Bison’s commitment to integrating advanced technology and industry best practices into wood-based panel manufacturing to produce quality products for its customers. Gerhard Victor, CEO of PG Bison, expressed his pride, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the completion of this project within budget and ahead of schedule. With full commercial production slated to commence on July 1, 2024, our valued current and future customers can anticipate seamless and uninterrupted supply of premium MDF.”
Victor highlighted the strategic importance of the new MDF line, which positions the Mkhondo manufacturing facility as a state-of-the-art hub for wood-based panel production in Southern Africa with an additional capacity of 780 cubic meters per day, the MDF line elevates the company’s total installed capacity to 1,180 cubic meters per day across its Boksburg and Mkhondo facilities. This MDF line and the recently completed particleboard line positions the PG Bison Mkhondo cluster on the map as a fully integrated manufacturing facility for the production of wood-based panel products. Making it the only one in Africa to house a particleboard line, an MDF line, upgrade facilities, resin manufacturing and paper treaters on one site.
“The commissioning of the line is testament to the collaborative efforts of our skilled in-house project team and a fruitful public-private sector partnership,” remarked Victor. “This milestone embodies progress, innovation, and achievement, allowing PG Bison’s to positively impact the forestry and furniture industry value chains while delivering on our purpose to inspire and enable beautiful living spaces.”
Notably, the project has generated 1,174 contractor jobs during the construction phase and will create an additional 150 permanent positions in the Gert Sibande District Municipality. Beyond employment opportunities, the project is poised to support economic growth by promoting the beneficiation of forestry-related products and fostering downstream value addition throughout the furniture value chain.
Justin Berry, PG Bison’s Marketing and Strategy Development Executive, emphasised the company’s support of localisation and the African Continental Free Trade Area. He stated, “Through our investments and operations we are aligned with the South African government’s localisation objectives, as outlined in the Furniture Industry and Forestry Master Plans, thereby contributing to the creation of local employment opportunities and economic development. The versatile MDF product will be instrumental in driving the reduction of imports in the industry, by offering our customers the flexibility to tailor solutions to meet their diverse design requirements.”
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Customer Service Centre: 0860 579 196
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Visit: pgbison.co.za
About PG Bison
PG Bison produces wood-based decorative panels, which are used for interior applications to inspire and enable beautiful living spaces. The company operates across multiple Sub-Saharan African countries, employing over 2,000 people and contribute to the forestry and furniture value-chain. PG Bison is a division of JSE-listed KAP Limited.
About KAP Limited
KAP comprises a diversified portfolio of businesses that operate in select sectors of wood-based decorative panels, sleep products, automotive components, polymers, supply chain and road safety.
