Stellenbosch University Department of Forest and Wood Science South African Forestry Operations...

Stellenbosch UniversityDepartment of Forest and Wood Science

South African Forestry South African Forestry Operations OutlookOperations Outlook

– the human factor as the major – the human factor as the major challenge for mechanization and challenge for mechanization and

outsourcing in our industryoutsourcing in our industry

D. Längin, October 2008

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● Status quoStatus quo – 2008 – 2008

● Where are we heading?Where are we heading?

● Discussion and conclusionDiscussion and conclusion

OverviewOverview

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Forest production factorsForest production factors

[Heinimann, 2000]

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Harvesting methods/systems in SAHarvesting methods/systems in SA

[Warkotsch, 1986]

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Harvesting Systems in SA 2007Harvesting Systems in SA 2007

Manual, 9.5%

Motor manual, 64.6%

Semi mechanised, 19.5%

Mechanised, 6.4%

[Längin, Oberholzer, Ackerman, 2007]

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Mechanization in SAMechanization in SA

?

?

Mec

hani

zatio

n in

%

South Africa

Central Europe

Scandinavia

South Africa

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The VisionThe Vision

Vision of future semi-automated logging systems[Fryk & Kaarnametsa]

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Outsourcing of operations in SAOutsourcing of operations in SA

25%

50%

30%

75%

50%

80%

97%

85%

88%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1988 1998 2007

Silviculture Harvesting Transport

% o

f ou

tsou

rcin

g in

Sou

th A

fric

a

[Längin & Ackerman, 2007]

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FTS 2007 survey resultsFTS 2007 survey results

Most pressing challenges and problems from a contractor perspective:

A. Rates, contracts, negotiation & costing B. Relationship grower & contractor C. Growers’ problems effecting contractors’ operational aspects D. Labour & workforce

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11%

4%

21%

12%

8%

6%

15%

13%

5%

9%

13%

10%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Cape Highveld Lowveld Midlands Zululand Average

Labour turnover Absenteeism

The biggest challenge – labourThe biggest challenge – labour

[Längin & Ackerman, 2007]

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Aldhouse, P. 2007, HIV’s killing fields. New Scientist 195(2612): 6-9

HIV infection in AfricaHIV infection in Africa

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Strategic questionsStrategic questions

1.Who will log in future? (Outsourcing versus own operations)

2.Mechanization of forest operations?

3.Human aspects?(workforce, land ownership, social responsibility)


Where are Where are we heading?we heading?

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Delphi studyDelphi study

2008 Delphi study:

A. Research and development needs in SA

B. Past and future drivers of change in FE

C. Future harvesting systems in SA

D. Future developments in outsourcing

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Change factors in SA forestry until 2020Change factors in SA forestry until 2020

Environmental Climate Change

Certification

Water Issues

Economical Fuel costs

Cost of labour and contractors

Timber price

Policy Land Reform

Role of Government in the sector (DWAF)

Labour related aspects (e.g. wages)

Socio/cultural HIV & Aids

Labour availability

Poverty & unemployment

Technological Mechanization of operations

New Technology (e.g. ICT, remote sensing)

Productivity improvement

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FE change factors during last 10 yearsFE change factors during last 10 years

South Africa International

Mean Mean±2*SE Mean±SD

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

T echnologica l advancements

Productiv ity improvements

Environmental demands

Labour costs

Capita l costs

Labour availability

Health & Safety

O utsourcing


0 2 4 6 8 10 12



Environmental demands

Labour costs

Capita l costs

Labour availability

Health & Safety

O utsourcing

1 – factor of highest importance1 – factor of highest importance

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FE change factors over next 10 yearsFE change factors over next 10 years

South Africa International


0 2 4 6 8 10 12



Socia l pressure

Labour costs

Capita l costs

Labour availability

Labour su itability

Health & Safety

O utsourcing


0 2 4 6 8 10 12



Socia l pressure

Labour costs

Capita l costs

Labour availability

Labour su itability

Health & Safety

O utsourcing

1 – factor of highest importance 1 – factor of highest importance

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Mechanization – when?Mechanization – when?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Before 2010 Before 2020 After 2030

When will mechanization in forestry operations become dominant in SA?

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Impact of mechanization?Impact of mechanization?

What will be the impact of mechanization on ..

9%

9%

28%

27%

82%

27%

27%

45%

73%

18%

73%

55%

45%

18%

18%

18%

19%

9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Poverty alleviation

Outsourcing

BEE / SMME

Environmental

Product quality

Productivity & costs

Highly beneficial beneficial neutral adverse

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Required action for mechanizationRequired action for mechanization

Action required to make mechanization work in SA?[1 – highest importance]

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Rates

, wag

es

Supp

ort a

nd ba

ckup

from

supp

liers

Ope

rato

r tra

inin

g

Fore

stry

exp

ertis

e

Plan

ning

and

strat

egy

Valu

e ch

ain/

supp

ly cha

in o

ptimiz...

Safe

ty

Infras

truc

ture

Mac

roec

onom

ics

Cont

ract

ing

Median Rank

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Outsourcing trendsOutsourcing trends

25%

50%

80%

75%

70%

30%

75%

80%

64%

55%

50%

80%

97%95%

90%

85%85%

88%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1988 1998 2007 2012 2017 2027

Silviculture Harvesting Transport

% o

f ou

tsou

rcin

g in

Sou

th A

fric

a

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How will the role of harvesting and transport contractors evolve during the next decade?

Developments in outsourcingDevelopments in outsourcing

19%

12%

34%

35%

Contractors asforest managers

Contractors asmediators betweenprocessing companyand land owners

Contractors as astrong partner

Contractors asservice providers


ConclusionConclusion

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Human challenges for mechanizationHuman challenges for mechanization

Productivity drivers in mechanized harvesting systems:

• compartment conditions (e.g. slope)• tree size• ..• operator skills• operations management

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Education, training and skills ..Education, training and skills ..

Foresters:● Harvest planning for mechanized operations● Management of contractors● Harvesting Systems costing

Forest Contractor:● Contractors mind shift required (from manual to mechanized operations management)● Sound operator training approach● Active and improved management of productivity drivers ● Shift systems design● Remuneration of operators

Machine operators:● High skills level required for machine operators● Operator wellness

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D. Längin, October 2008April 18, 2023 NAME OF PRESENTATION

• Single shifts

• Multiple shifts– Better utilisation of capital, but the number of shifts in 24 hours is the

big question?

– Nightshift – productivity 50% below day shift (SA Mining research)

• Split shift (two operators sharing one shift)– higher labour costs

– 20% higher production (Canadian research)

• Job rotation– Taking responsibility for own work quality, e.g. Harvester / Forwarder

Shift systems designShift systems design

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Outsourcing of operationsOutsourcing of operations

Human resource / labour force

Forest Contractor

Forest Grower

controlregulate

deliver

- Research- Innovation

- Development- Training

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How to meet current challangesHow to meet current challanges

• Invest in innovative harvesting systems and

encourage contractors to buy in.• Own operations .. • Improve harvest planning.• Match harvesting systems with logging chance

factors (not the other way round).• Take responsibility and initiative to reinstate Forest

Engineering research, development & capacity

building in South Africa.

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How to meet current challangesHow to meet current challanges

• Encourage application of technological advanced

innovations in forest operations. • Reassess productivity in current operations.• Ensure a sound understanding of productivity and

cost drivers in mechanized operations.• Ergonomics and labour aspects (wages, health and

safety, training & skills development)• Focus on improving the supply chain, from stump

to mill.

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Thank You !

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