PG Bison Reinforces Sustainable Timber Manufacturing as Driver of African Industrial Growth
PG Bison Reinforces Sustainable Timber Manufacturing as Driver of African Industrial Growth. As Africa’s forestry sector reflects on the past year, sustainably produced timber and wood-based products continue to feature prominently in discussions on industrial development. PG Bison, the continent’s largest supplier of wood-based panel products, says it is reinforcing this direction through sustained investment, support for local manufacturing, and efforts to position Southern Africa as a competitive producer in global markets.
The company says its strategy is built on expanding local processing capacity, with the view that increased domestic beneficiation can strengthen industrial output, reduce reliance on imports, and support employment across the forestry value chain. PG Bison is an active member of Forestry South Africa and operates across plantation management, manufacturing and distribution.
Its southern Cape and northeastern Cape Forest plantations are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, while its Mkhondo medium-density fibreboard facility holds both FSC and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification accreditation. The company sources timber from managed plantations in South Africa and Eswatini, aligning its operations with the Forestry Sector Masterplan’s focus on industrialisation and inclusive growth.
PG Bison chief executive officer Gerhard Victor says the group’s investment approach is long term and aimed at maintaining global competitiveness. Since 2006, the company has invested in new plants, technology upgrades and value-added production facilities to expand capacity and improve efficiency, quality and consistency.
The group currently produces 700,000 cubic metres of particleboard and 400,000 cubic metres of medium-density fibreboard annually across its Boksburg, Mkhondo and Ugie facilities. PG Bison says these investments support demand for locally sourced timber and stimulate economic activity in rural areas where plantations and manufacturing operations are located.
Beyond production volumes, the company points to broader economic effects. Its operations support employment in plantations, transport, manufacturing, logistics, retail and the furniture value chain, while contributing to skills development and small business activity in surrounding communities.
PG Bison also identifies continental expansion as a strategic priority, citing opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The company says increased capacity in South Africa can support regional exports and strengthen African value chains based on sustainably produced timber.
At the same time, PG Bison has raised concerns about illicit and unfair imports of timber-based products, calling for improved enforcement and collaboration between industry and government to protect compliant producers.
The company says continued cooperation across the sector is essential to securing long-term growth, investment and job creation across Africa’s evolving industrial landscape today.
