REGULARS - PERSONALITY PROFILE
Duppie du Plessis:
a team player
We chat to Duppie du Plessis, managing director of the Foresta
Timber Group, about his career and the challenges that face
the local timber industry.
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS
MANAGING DIRECTOR?
Together with my management team, we agree on our
vision, then decide on a strategy to achieve that vision.
Once that is done, we formulate and implement a plan to
support those ideas and ensure that our plan has set
deadlines to which we hold ourselves accountable. I see
myself as the leader of the total process.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN YOUR
TENURE AS MD?
I would dearly like us to become the leader in our category
of the industry – the wholesale and retail – market with the
necessary manufacturing support.
EXPLAIN HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN YOUR
CAREER AND HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE YOU
ARE TODAY.
I hold a national diploma in paint science and a national
diploma in analytical chemistry from Wits Technikon and
various other certificate courses in finance and human
resources (HR).
I started my career with Dulux in the paint laboratory
and eventually qualified as a paint chemist at Wits
Technikon. I left Dulux and started my own business,
Prominent Paints, with two partners and we quickly
became the leader of the pack in the decorative paint
market. In 2005, we sold the company to Sigma Kalon. In
1994, by supporting my brother, Foresta Timber and Board,
was opened and in 2006, I joined as MD. Along with myself,
Foresta Timber and Board also has two partners, however
they are not operational. Together we opened a second
company – Foresta Drum Manufacturing – with the
same shareholders.
IN YOUR OPINION WHAT ARE THE MAJOR
CHALLENGES THAT THE TIMBER INDUSTRY IN
SOUTH AFRICA NEEDS TO OVERCOME?
We will run into shortages of wood in the future, the
industry already cuts trees down at a really early stage in
its growth cycle. Because of a complex market and poor
economic growth in our country, our suppliers are
operating in our category of the market which makes it
48 JUNE / JULY 2017 //
Duppie du Plessis, managing director of the Foresta Timber Group.
extremely difficult to be profitable. I am not certain how
we will overcome this obstacle but as a business we must
find alternative products or steer the business in
another direction.
DO YOU ENJOY WHAT YOU DO?
I enjoy helping people to develop their skills and become
successful at their particular level. When you can give your
people the tools to excel, it is fantastic to reap the benefits
with the team.
WHAT DO YOU STILL WANT TO ACHIEVE,
AS A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY AND AS
AN INDIVIDUAL?
Our two companies still have much potential for growth
and we will make a considerable effort to cater for the
future South Africa via BBBEE and attempt to empower all
our employees before I move on.
WHAT IS YOUR WORK PHILOSOPHY?
Stick to the basic principles of life in general and make
sure you enjoy what you do in your place of work. Make
time for your family and friends.