Warren Properties

Game Farms & Property in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Natal - REF 0096

The Farm is situated 5km’s off the National freeway in Nottingham Road, on the Old Currys Post Road (P165) in the heart of the Natal Midlands timber growing region.

 

This pristine 891.1 hectare farm valued in excess of R39 million Rands, boasts 655 hectares of F.S.C. (Forestry Stewardship Council Accredited) Patula Pine Plantations.  The farm includes three homesteads, five dams (four stocked with Trout and one with Bass) and a waterfall.  A secure log cabin and basic recreational facility is situated on King Fisher Dam. Confirmed sightings of Leopard, Reed Buck, Duiker, Bush Pig, Lynx and Otters have been made.  Bird Life abounds from Eagles, Yellow Billed Kites, Owls and King Fisher to Egyptian geese.

 

The farm has a mean annual rainfall of 800mm to 1000mm, and a mean temperature of approximately 18˚C.  The altitude of the farm is 1050m with the predominant prevailing winds from the South East.  There is no surface water within the secure sawmill site and it also features an efficient storm water management system.  A permanent nine metre vegetation screen has been planted around the sawmill site perimeter as well as along the entire northern boundary fence along the P165.

 

A fifteen (15) year rotational Silviculture programme is followed.  This commenced with the appointment of a qualified timber Farm Manager when the farm was procured in September 2004.  This ongoing process is bolstered today by a committed staff training programme.  The farm manager and sawmill manager live in two of the homesteads with the other being rented out to a local family.  Staff reside locally, many of whom live in the fenced off settlement on the Eastern border of the farm.  They are permitted to graze their restricted number of cattle in the fenced off areas under the Eskom power lines.  There are no land claims on the Arlington Farm.  One elderly resident has and is exercising a Labour Tenant Right until he and his immediate family pass on.

 

Water is pumped up by electric pump from the King Fisher Dam into the 120 000 litre concrete reservoir.  From there 45m3 per hour is gravity fed to the 9 x 5000 litre storage tanks situated on the sawmill site.  An electric feeder pumps the water up into a 2 x 5000 litre header tank which then feeds the sawmill building, offices, ablutions, change rooms and fire fighting equipment.  Water is also fed to the three farmhouses as well as to the local houses living on the Eastern Boundary.

 

THE SAWMILL

 

A 4800m2 building housing the Sawmill, with adjacent office block, ablution facility for employees and accommodation for full time fire crews, is built within a secure four hectare site (including fire breaks) situated on the Arlington Farm.  There is also an adjacent log yard outside the facility to facilitate the buying in or sale of logs to external customers.  This facility is powered by a 500 KVA transformer with a direct Eskom feed and electricity is controlled by a power factor correction unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional externally sourced logging contracts have been offered to Arlington Sawmill from neighbouring farmers due to its locality and perceived operational flexibility.  This facility already has Provincial Local Municipal and E.I.A approval for the operation of the Heatco smokeless burner (already operational) and four progressive Heatco type kilns (still to be installed).

 

SAWMILL PROCESSING LINE

 

Saw logs are inspected and approved dimension logs (maximum 350mm diameter) are then conveyor fed into the sawmill and onto the Scragg.  Non-conforming logs are resized by a Lukas mill strategically positioned alongside the in feed chain conveyor line but still under cover.  A purpose built Sawrite thin-kerf horizontal saw line then processes input volumes of up to 100 tons of logs a day.  Strategic decisions were taken with specific reference to flexibility and this line can cut to any dimensional thickness from 3mm up to 250mm in multiples of 2.440mm.  The state-of-the-art-sawmill allows us to maximize log dimensions and provide innovative solutions to current pallet sourcing predicaments.  Operations can stipulate and control cutting patterns to ensure local as well as International competitiveness in a full range of end products.  All sawmilling and processing operations function within the confines of the sawmill building.

 

The sawmill processing line is a twin stage line that can process both cants and slat material at the same time.  The lumber is then conveyor fed onto banks of pre-set cross cut saws to produce cut to size components.  Cants are moved off to the two undercut block saws.  Non conforming products are isolated within a designated area and then transferred to the rework section of the facility.  This re-work division utilises either the Baker / Gator or Sawrite thin kerf resaws, and conforming product is processed into a multi-rip saw designed specifically to process pallet slat material.

 

THE BREAK OUT SECTION

 

The Break Out section facilitates both non-conforming and imported processed lumber utilising high-speed Reimin technology.  There are five additional undercut crosscut saws which can handle timber up to six meters.  Three high speed Weinig moulders are situated in line to mould or size timber at speed.  The extraction system that was installed was designed to facilitate full scale processing of either pallet or furniture components and is grossly underutilised at present.  All wet saw dust, bark and cross cut wood waqste is incinerated in the Heatco burner.  Side boards are sold to Bison Board and dry shavings collected by a chicken farmer.

 

PALLET ASSEMBLY LINE

 

This designated are encompasses three pallet assembly lines capable of producing 650 pallets per day.  Equipment includes top deck, block assembly and final assembly tables.  Spray painting is performed manually in the adjacent air drying area within the building.  It must be remembered that Chep Operations last year showered this facility with the accolade of producing quality pallets (No. 56) and repair material for the service centres.

 

 

 


 

 

 

PENDING LEGISLATION

 

 

The farm is currently un-zoned but reserved for agriculture.  A marginal group of neighbours however, and local property developers, focussed only on the South East corner of the farm have attempted to prevent this facility producing and upgrading to a fully fledged certified pallet and furniture producing facility.  Our vision is in conflict with their desire to follow their commercial aspirations which is the development of gated housing estates or eco-tourism within a zoned agricultural area.  A protracted scientifically based Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) supported by all the other immediate neighbours, was submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs last year.  Our Environmental Consultants advised us that the signing off of a positive Record of Decision (R.O.D.) is imminent.  This initiative is also backed by Local and Provincial Governmental agencies and the Department of Economic Development for KwaZulu-Natal, as it stimulates Agri-processing and job creation within rural areas.

 

The linkages between the farm and Arlington Sawmilling support this as a vertically integrated facility.  The proximity to the national freeway and being on route to Johannesburg support this proposal as a prime site.  Lower country rates of pay as prescribed by the Department of labour assist reduced developmental set up and running costs, when compared to city based projects.  There is large labour pool available from the next town, i.e. Mooi River, to facilitate growth and expansion.

 

Sawmilling has been currently scaled down as we wait for the positive signing off of the required manufacturing certification coupled with the fact that the majority of mature trees have been felled.  Continuous suspensions of senior personal within the beleaguered Department of Agricultural and Environmental Affairs, has stalled the approval of our application.  The rotational cycle of the plantation lumber will deliver at maturity, a consistent log in feed stream to the sawmill of 1200 tons per month.  This will equate to a sawmill capacity and capability to produce 12-15 000 Code 1 pallets a month.  Greater flexibility will be achieved once kiln drying facilities are installed.  Manufacturing volumes can be boosted by procuring either logs or rough sawn timber from external sources.

 

SAWMILL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (VALUE – R4.27 MILLION)

 

ASSET DESCRIPTION

 

500 KVA POWER FACTOR CORRECTION UNIT

BELL 225A LOGGER

BELL 3.5 TON FORKLIFT

LINDI 2.5 TON FORKLIFT

HEATCO SMOKELESS BURNER

DUST EXTRACTION PLANT

ATLAS COPCO GAF 550 COMPRESSOR AND STORAGE TANK

INCLINED WASTE CONVEYOR

HORIZONTAL WASTE CONVEYOR LINE

SUPERTECH SHARPENING MACHINE

INFEED LOG RAMP

LOG HAUL CHAIN CONVEYOR

 

 

 

 

 

INFEED CHAIN CONVEYOR LINE

LUKAS PORTABLE MILL

TWIN VERTICAL SCRAGG SAWS

4 HEAD HORIZONTAL BAND SAW LINE

4 HEAD THIN KERF BAND SAW LINE

CROSS CONVEYOR

HEAVY DUTY SIDEBOARD MULTI RIP SAW

HEADY DUTY ROLLER INFEED TABLE FOR MULTI RIP SAW

WASTE CONVEYOR BELT LINE

1.2M AUTOMATIC CROSS CUT SAW

1.0 AUTOMATITIC CROSS CUT SAW

0.8M AUTOMATIC CROSS CUT SAW

23M CONVEYOR

12M CONVEYOR

4M CONVEYOR

WASTE CONVEYOR BELT LINE

RIMINI MULTI RIP SAW

4M CONVEYOR

WEINIG UNIMAT 23E HIGH SPEED MOULDER

WEINIG GOLD HIGH SPEED MOULDER

WEINIG UNIMAT 23E HIGH SPEED MOULDER

UNDERCUTTING BLOCK MACHINE

BLOCK GROOVING MACHINE

INFEED CONVEYOR LINE

SINGLE GANG NAIL PRESS

DOUBLE GANG NAIL PRESS

GATOR HORIZONTAL BAND SAW

BAKER HORIZONTAL BAND SAW

HYDRAULIC POWER PACK

BOARD EDGING MACHINE

CHAMFERING MACHINE

5 FREE STANDING CROSS CUT SAWS

3 FLAT PALLET ASSEMBLY TABLES

3 ANGLE PALLET ASSEMBLY TABLES

SMALL TOOLS

APPROVED FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

 

 

TOTAL 892 HA ARLINGTON FARM LAND (VALUE – R26.9 MILLION)

 

655 HA PLANTATION COMPARTMENT RECORDS

 

 

COMPARTMENT NO.

AREA IN HA

DATE PLANTED

AGE YRS FEB 2008

1A

9.3

JAN 2005

3.1

1B

8.7

JAN 2005

3.1

1C

0.1

DEC 2000

8.2

1D

0.8

JAN 2005

3.1

2

11.5

OCT 2005

2.4

3A

17.8

OCT 2005

2.4

4

11

NOV 2007

0.3

 

 

 

 

5A

0.9

NOV 2007

0.3

6

2.3

NOV 2007

0.3

7

7.1

MAR 2006

1.11

8

16.5

OCT 2006

1.4

9A

5.6

NOV 2007

0.3

9C

2.6

NOV 2007

0.3

10

2.0

FEB 2005

SAWMILL SITE 3.0

11

4.4

FEB 2005

3

12A

5.4

FEB 2005

3

12B

2.1

FEB 2005

3

13

4.9

FEB 2005

3

14A

19.0

NOV 2005

2.3

14C

1.3

FEB 2005

3

15

17.6

FEB 2006

2

16

5.6

MAR 2006

1.11

17A

26.6

NOV 2006

1.3

17B

15.3

NOV 2006

1.3

18A

17.7

OCT 2006

1.4

19

19.7

JAN 2007

1.1

20

7.0

NOV 2006

1.3

21

6.9

NOV 2006

1.3

22

7.5

NOV 2006

1.3

24

22.3

NOV 2007

0.3

25A

26.2

FEB 2007

1

25B

0.9

NOV 1998

7.3

27

7.9

FEB 2007

1

28

8.6

OCT 2006

1.4

28B

1.7

OCT 2006

1.4

29

2.7

FEB 2007

1

30A

9.1

MAR 2005

2.11

30B

0.2

DEC 1996

12.2

30C

1.1

MAR 2005

1.11

30D

0.5

FEB 2007

1

34A

6.6

JAN 2008

0.1

36

6.9

OCT 2006

1.4

37

18.7

OCT 2006

1.4

38A

0.8

FEB 2007

1

38B

1.3

FEB 2007

1

38C

4.0

FEB 2007

1

39

25.2

NOV 2007

0.3

39B

10.0

NOV 2007

0.3

41A

6.1

NOV 2007

0.3

41B

2.4

NOV 2007

0.3

41C

3.8

NOV 2007

0.3

41D

3.9

MAR 2005

2.11

42

17.3

DEC 2007

0.2

43

1.0

DEC 2007

0.2

44

2.2

DEC 2007

0.2

45

3.3

DEC 2007

0.2

46A

39.8

DEC 2007

0.2

 

 

 

46B

3.4

DEC 2000

8.2

46C

1.5

DEC 2005

3.2

47

21.7

DEC 2006

2.2

48

21.2

DEC 2006

2.2

49A

9.3

FEB 2002

6.0

49B

5.6

NOV 2007

0.3

51A

16.7

FEB 2002

6.0

51B

8.8

MAR 2007

0.11

52A

10.6

FEB 2002

6.0

53

8.4

FEB 2002

6.0

54

18.3

MAR 2007

0.11

60A

8.7

FEB 2004

4.0

60B

2.0

FEB 2007

1.0

60C

1.6

NOV 2007

0.3

63A

0.8

FEB 2000

6.0

63B

2.0

FEB 2006

2.0

72A

1.8

PLANTING 08

MAR / OCT

72B

3.3

PLANTING 08

MAR / OCT

72C

1.7

PLANTING 08

MAR / OCT

75A

6.0

DEC 1997

11.2

75B

1.5

DEC 1997

11.2

76A

8.8

PLANTING 08

MAR / OCT

76B

0.9

PLANTING 08

MAR / OCT

77A

11.0

JAN 2006

2.1

77B

5.2

NOV 1997

11.3

77C

1.9

FEB 2000

6.0

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

655.5

 

 

 

 

ARLINTON FARM BULDING VALUES (VALUE – R12.3 MILLION)

 

ASSET DESCRIPTION

 

HOMESTEAD 1

HOMESTEAD 2

SAWMILL BUILDING PHASE 1

SAWMILL BUILDING PHASE 2

SAWMILL BUILDING PHASE 3

OFFICE BLOCK, ABLUTIONS, CHANGEROOMS, GARAGES AND STORAGE AREA

SECURITY FENCING SAWMILL

SECURITY BONUX FENCING ALONG P165 PHASE 1

SECURITY BONUX FENCING ALONG P165 PHASE 2

 

 

 

ARLINGTON FARM PLANT & EQUIPMENT (VALUE R0.7 MILLION)

 

ASSET DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

VEHICLE FIRE FIGHTING UNIT

COLT KING CAB

2 X 66104 NEW HOLLAND TRACTOR

MASSEY FERGUSSEN TRACTOR

H/D GIRO MOWER

11 X 5000 JOJO WATER TANKS

5000L WATER TANKER

2000L WATER TANKER

1000L WATER TANKER

450L BOOMSPRAYER

500L BAKKIE SAKKIE

ROBIN PUMP AND MOTOR

FIRE PREVENTION INLINE PETROL GENERATOR

STANDBY FIRE PREVENTION INLINE PUMP

STIHL CHAIN SAW

BRUSH CUTTERS, SLASHERS AND DRIP TORCHES

OSATU 16L SPRAYERS

FIRE FIGHTING KNAPSACKS

TWO WAY ROADIOS AND BACK UP BATTERY PACKS

FIRE WATCH TOWER

 

 

Plantation Permit Details:  
                                     Permit No. & Permit dates: 21056009   21/08/2002
  21055956   19/08/2002
  21055983   19/08/2002
  21056018   27/08/2002
Area to be afforested : 653.5Ha
                                   Pine Only pine
                                   Eucalyptus Nil
Plantation Details: Plantation schedule attached
Plantation Map: Attached
Size of shed: 4800sqm
Land claims: NIL
Labour resident on farm: 12 x farm labour
Labour contract details: Permanent
Asking price: R41 000 000

 

 Contact

Chris or Gert

082 551 9396  -  082 822 7184

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