SGS: Who / what is PG Bison?
Gerhard Viktor: PG Bison is the only integrated value-chain-company in South Africa whereby we plant and harvest our trees and also manufacture board out of it. PG Bison aspires to be South Africa’s best regarded industrial company, measured by performance and driven by total commitment to our core philosophies and values. PG Bison owns plantations, timber processing facilities (saw mills and board mills) and upgrading facilities as well as distribution and retail outlets. PG Bison occupies 49% of the South African Particle Board- and MDF Board market. Visit our website for more information: www.pgbison.co.za

SGS: What do you expect from the investment in Ugie?
Gerhard Viktor:

• To fill our constraints in terms of shortage of product in our market ASAP and to get to a good quality product at the right price to our customers at the right time.
• To increase the production capacity.
• Timber beneficiation.
• Local cutting-edge technology.
• 2700 jobs will or have been created.
• A sustainable company.

SGS: Which expectations did you have prior to the project start?
Gerhard Viktor: Due to the shortage of skilled artisans in our country we expected to have a problematic installation phase. Also, the remoteness of Ugie was not in our favour.

SGS: Why did PG Bison choose SGS as partner for this project?
Gerhard Viktor: The project was under an extremely tight time frame. SGS was highly recommended by Siempelkamp and we had no preference to any other supplier. The SGS offer was marginal more expensive but with a shorter installation period.

SGS: What did SGS distinguish from other competitors?
Gerhard Viktor: SGS does have previous experience in this type of installation. During the installation period, SGS management made a very good first impression.

SGS: How did the collaboration with SGS site staff work?
Gerhard Viktor: Besides numerous nationality differences, the SGS staff adapted to the South African culture extremely well.

SGS: Would you choose SGS as a partner for your next project?
Gerhard Viktor: SGS will definitely be on the PG Bison vendor list.

SGS: Would you recommend SGS to other companies?
Gerhard Viktor: Absolutely yes.

Thank You for the Interview!