The background of
Geelhoutvlei Timbers

In 1985 David Metelerkamp came to Geelhoutvlei farm. In an attempt to find a market for some of the timber growing on the property, and a source of income, in partnership with his father, he purchased an old circular saw. This was the first step in the establishment of Geelhoutvlei Timbers. From very rough and slow beginnings, it developed over the years into the main processor of small diameter timber in the Western Cape.

Small diameter logs were bought in from all the large growers and processors within the Southern Cape and mainly processed into pallet and bin stock. At its production height, Geelhoutvlei Timbers was the major producer of material into the fruit bin industry in the Western Cape. Profits were ploughed back into processing capacity and the acquisition of plantations. We became a leading employer in the district.

Ironically, David later discovered that Geelhoutvlei’s Paardekop plantation purchased in the Mossel Bay area was planted by his great uncle Fred Metelerkamp, who was the managing director of the Searls Timber Company. Also his great, great grandfather Johan Jacob Metelerkamp and his brother Peter Carel, had been involved in the establishment of the timber industry in Knysna. Johan Jacob worked for George Parkes and Sons, and Peter Carel was a partner in the first sawmill in Knysna. It appears “die appel val nie ver van die boom af nie”.

1n 2017 Geelhoutvlei Timbers was the victim of a series of fires. The first two destroyed a lot of standing timber assets. The final one in October 2018, went through Geelhoutvlei itself, destroying the sawmill, farm and family home. All employees were retrenched.
A few months later, we resolved to re-establish the sawmill, albeit on a smaller scale and with a different production and product focus, in order to produce lower volumes of high value product. With the support of core people re-employed and our community and customers, Geelhoutvlei has come a long way from the fire and continues in a process of constant improvement. We are committed to integrating our love of nature and wood with the needs of our community and the wider public.