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Forestry |
Since inception, The Lion Match Company has understood the need for diversification and innovation – character traits that are evident in the company’s forestry division - Lion Match Forestry.
Even at the company’s birth, they realised that developing their own forests and harvesting their own trees would be an integral part in their success. By 1927 they had purchased their first farm in the Piet Retief region where they successfully grew poplar trees – at the time the preferred species for matches. By 1993, poplar gave way to pine; a more sustainable option that is still the company’s choice today.
Ingenuity and conservation practices form part of the forestry divisions everyday operations. Chief forester, Eugene Kraamwinkel and his team implemented a remarkably simple yet effective approach to managing fire-breaks – they use a herd of eager Nguni cattle that happily clear the areas, eating up to 6 hectares per animal. Not only are these cattle more cost-effective alternatives to clearing by tractor, they’ve also inspired Eugene to look for non-toxic, cattle-friendly herbicides.
Although the company is saving costs and improving on their sustainability targets, they’re also benefiting from unforeseen extras:
"Perhaps a non-quantifiable bonus of this method is to watch new-born calves arriving and to see well-stocked herds meandering through our plantations, appreciating the sustainable cycle inherent in that." - Eugene Kraamwinkel
The forestry division is also actively involved in their communities having contributed gardens and soccer fields to the local schools, helping to reinforce the proud Lion brand’s commitment to community upliftment.
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