TIRET October 2012 Issue - MIDROC Ethiopia

A view of the forestry development
The current product manufactured by the factory,
particle board, can be used for furniture making,
roofing, internal building, wall partition and also as
packing material.
The factory employs 130 professional and skilled
employees on a permanent basis and 500 casual
laborers. This will grow to 300 professional and skilled
employees when it begins operating at full capacity
(three shifts). The forestry development in Wolayta
Sodo also employs 500 local residents during harvest
seasons.
Production Process
Chipwood is composed of wood particles mixed with
resin, as an adhesive, and wax and hardener; the mix is
treated under various temperatures, moisture, pressing,
curing and sanding conditions. The factory produces
chipwood size 11.20m x 1.83m, which can be resized in
to 2, 3, or 4 equal or different sizes.
It uses four types of raw materials: chipwood particles
(logs), urea formaldehyde resin (glue), wax and hardener
(Ammonium Chloride), all of which, except logs, are
imported at an annual cost of Birr 31 million.
Chip wood has two outer layers (surfaces) and a core.
The general steps used to produce particle wood include
wood material chipping, flaking, drying, classifying by
size, blending with resin, hardener and wax, forming
the resinated (glued) material into a mat, hot pressing
and finishing (cooling, trimming and sanding). The
process involves the use of chipping, flaking and drying
machines. A forming machine turns the glued material
into a continuous mat, which is cut into the desired
length. Furnace oil and wood dust are the energy
sources used for the drying.
Wood transported to chipper machine
Factory Input
The consumption of wood per annum is 18,167 m3 at
present, which will rise to 25,000 m3 in the near future.
The factory can use any kind of wood, but the preferred
wood type is Eucalyptus, because of its abundance and
easier replacement. Accordingly contract agreement
was entered with the Regional Government for the
use and management of forest on 985hectares of land
in Wolayta Sodo for the coming 20 years to ensure
sustainable supply.
Manpower Development and Training Schemes
In order to ensure that quality remains the business’s top
priority, the factory has adopted different approaches
in recruiting and nurturing its employees, developing
positive attitude towards learning, as part of the
management’s commitment to equip and groom each
individual.
Accordingly, on the job training is given for 3-6
months for new recruits to familiarize them with the
different machines and operations. Inviting expatriate
professionals to provide short-term training to employees
is also part of this Manpower Development and Training
Scheme. In addition, the factory is working with Hawassa
University in the “University-Industry Linkage Program”
for mutual benefit to train and familiarize students with
the industry and exchange technology and knowledge
with technologists of the University.
Development Partners
The factory’s development partners include Regional
and Zonal offices of SNNPR, Dashen Bank, Nyala
Insurance, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, MIDROC
Group Companies, Hawassa University, contractors,
small scale distributors and furniture manufacturers.
Special emphasis is due to MIDROC Ethiopia Head
Office for the unrelented support in all aspects, for the
TireT October 2012 37