Dear friends,
I am suddenly up to my eyeballs in a new project, and while it isn’t fine woodworking I thought I’d let you know because it has interesting aspects.
Basically, my 2 partners and I have been hired to create a factory to produce all the wooden elements of modern pre-fab wooden houses. Posts, decking, flooring, rafters, etc etc. Just to make things really interesting – the factory will be in Africa. The whole thing will probably be done using Sapele, but we have to set up our own drying kilns, maybe even a sawmill, in addition to all the woodworking machines.
First stage, starting immediately – make the parts for a model house, at the same time work out all the production processes and train a core team of workers. We’re going to produce the first model in Israel, then ship everything to Africa.
So I’m kind of overwhelmed right now, and all the practical questions will probably go over better at Breaktime. But here’s the cool part – I’m on a worldwide shopping spree for machines and someone else is paying the bill! I’ve run a commercial shop for a long time but this is opening up a lot of new stuff for me – machines I never worked with before.
So wish us luck, and I’ll try to post the cool stuff.
David Ring
Replies
Sounds like quite an adventure.I like the part about finding all these new machines that DO things.
Keep us posted.
Cheers,
Peter
David,
I'll echo Peter's comment: Keep us posted. It may not be fine woodworking, but you will be using all the machines that we use, or wish we had to use.
Attach photos once you are up and going.
Alan - planesaw
Dear all,I'm placing an order today for this 24" double-sided planer. It's made in Taiwan but very heavy industrial quality. Helix cutterheads, and made to take up to a 3/8" bite from both faces. Had a chance to test drive one yesterday and it's really something.David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
I have spent a lot of time in the Philippines and can have experience in setting up businesses there. I am going to assume the issues you will face will be simuliar to what I have...... but worse because the Philippines is more developed.
The best desicision you could make is to find a local trades person (preferable with management experience) that works in the industry there to help you coordinate and plan. From experience I can tell you that at least half of your ideas will not work there, or they will have to be modified to fit the situation there. If you have to make those changes there it will cost you a lot more, especially time. Things move a lot slower in 3rd world countries. If you have a sounding board from the area he/she will be able to point out the faults in your plans before you spend any money. To find this person you will almost certaintly have to go there and look for yourself. Otherwise you could end up with someone that is not as qualified as you thought.
Good luck,
Mike
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Mike,
Thanks for your thoughts. Having lived in the middle east for almost 40 years I do know a bit about the 3rd world. And our working assumption is that nothing will be available there and no technical support that we don't bring in ourselves. You're quite right about the local connection, and it's being pursued. I hate to admit it, but nobody goes into this kind of venture without first "buying" some well-placed generals and government officials. The project's investor has people on the spot doing just that, and will be creating a net of greased palms before I ever set foot in Africa. It's not really to my taste, but I know it's the only way things get done.
regards,
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Sounds like I might need YOUR advise! I will probably be moving to the Philippines in a couple years and I am looking at some options for me there. Scarry stuff.
I forgot who you are.... I believe I read an article about you last year. I guess you have a fair bit of experience with overseas buisness. I hope your involvement there dosen't prevent your participation on this forum. You add a lot to the comunity here. Good luck.
MikePardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
I think you are undergoing something that I would love to do!! I do have a point I want to stress..... working in a 3rd world is an adventure, but learn from those that have come before you.. contact embassy etc... also take the time to look into Hennery Fords rubber plantation in brazil. 200 million dollar operation failed because of lack of basic information.
I wish i could be a part of your adventure!
Rich
David, which country in Africa? (I am guessing it might be on the west coast since you mention Sapele- Nigeria? )Philip Marcou
Edited 4/12/2007 5:41 am by philip
Hi Philip,It's in Angola. You used to live in Zimbabwe, right?David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
Yes David, I was in Zimbabwe. Angola, hey. Now that could be quite exciting. We remember it in the days when the Portuguese were the governing power. Luanda was a very very beautiful city. Then there was one man one vote, the Portuguese left, the "communist" comrades took over and there was civil war for a bloody long time- plus the South Africans and Cubans also got in there and helped to screw up things.
Anyway it looks , judging from tourism adverts etc seen on t.v here, that some folk are waking up: tremendous potential, oil, agriculture, mining and GREAT TIMBERS- look out for Chamfuta and Muninga! The Portuguese left a legacy of fine woodworking there- I am sure traces can be revived.
I am sure you will have an interesting time- is there room for one more?Philip Marcou
Yes, interesting, to say the least. For now I've got my hands full setting up temporary facilities to make the first model house. Room for one more? Hell, I'm trying to hire 5 young guys who are willing to learn and sign on for at least a year in Angola. From what I hear the conditions there are going to be quite rough at first. But the pay will be good.I mentioned sapele because all the research we've done so far points in that direction, but perhaps coming from neighboring states, not necessarily Angola. There are real horror stories about how the forests get sold for next to nothing, just to clear land for mining. Do you have any experience with that? Anyhow, I took note: Chamfuta and Muninga. When the time comes maybe I'll lay my hands on a few trees for friends...As to people waking up to the potential, yes absolutely, and first the smart entrepreneurs. The guy behind this project is what some refer to as a Wall Street gazillionaire. best,
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
David, Chamfuta is the trade name for Afzelia Quanzensis -they call it Chamfuta in Mozambique (ex Portuguese colony also). Not sure what the Muninga is locally known as, but the best comes from there-it is Pterocarpus Angolensis, aka Mukwa,Kiaat or Bloodwood-the same species is found in Papua New Guinea where it is called PNG Rosewood and the burl stuff is Amboyna.
Since they now seem to be going from one extreme to the other -communism to capitalism, they will maintain the extremes-mining is big, the country is vast and everyone thinks the world owes him a living....In Mozambique Wenge (Panga Panga) is burned to make charcoal (for export).
Plenty wild animals-some even ride bicycles.Philip Marcou
David
Sounds exciting! Good luck, and be careful. Keep us posted.
Jeff
take me with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111
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