Founded by Pancras Kuria Nyoike in 2006, Mijengo Investments has evolved from a small, family-run business to a significant player in the timber and pallet manufacturing industries. Initially starting with PK Timber Yard, a small sawmill in Kiserian, Kajiado County, Pancras quickly realized that to grow his operations, he needed to source and process logs from commercial forests. This insight led to the opening of a larger sawmill in Nakuru's Industrial Area, where the company saw significant expansion.
By 2012, Mijengo Investments was running six horizontal wide bandsaw machines, which increased production to 23 cubic meters per day. However, a 2018 log ban in Kenya forced the company to shift from timber production to pallet manufacturing. This change required more efficient machinery, leading to the acquisition of two Wood-Mizer HR115 resaws. These machines introduced thin-kerf technology, providing Mijengo with higher recovery rates, reduced power consumption, and a better-quality finish. Despite these improvements, maintaining older machines caused frequent downtime, hindering production.
Before fully investing in Wood-Mizer equipment, Mijengo Investments faced several operational challenges:
1. Frequent production downtimes due to aging bandsaw machinery.
2. A need for more efficiency in the new pallet manufacturing process, especially as the company was now sourcing logs from local farmers.
3. Reducing power consumption and improving recovery rates to cut costs and increase output.
Pancras' sons, Josephat Nyoike and Joseph Kuria, led the search for advanced machinery to sustain the business. After visiting various sawmills and consulting with industry experts, they were convinced of Wood-Mizer's superior performance . Their positive experience with the HR115 model reinforced their decision to expand with additional Wood-Mizer machines. They ultimately invested in a Wood-Mizer Twin Vertical Saw Start model, an EG100 dual-blade board edger, and an EG800 industrial multi-blade board edger, with support from Wood-Mizer representative Alister from Husky Outdoor Equipment. The purchasing process was smooth, and the machines were delivered within three months.
The installation of the new machines went as planned, with everything arriving in perfect condition. Mijengo Investments appreciated the support they received from Wood-Mizer representatives, Husky Outdoor Equipment, during the transition. Alister provided thorough training for the production team, enabling them to start production immediately. Any subsequent questions were promptly addressed through calls and messages, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Since installing Wood-Mizer machinery and with the continued support and back up service from Husky, Mijengo Investments has experienced transformative improvements in its operations. The TVS Start model allows them to cut two sides of a log with twin blades, offering greater accuracy and efficiency than their previous manual methods. The EG800's six-blade capacity enables them to cut multiple boards simultaneously, while the EG100 enhances recovery by processing offcuts.
With the new Wood-Mizer machines, Mijengo has reduced operational costs—such as labour and power consumption—and increased its production capacity from 28 to 38 cubic meters per day. This output increase has allowed the company to meet growing customer demand, fulfil orders more quickly, and enhance turnover and profitability.
The adoption of Wood-Mizer technology has led to significant improvements in Mijengo's operations. In addition to reduced costs and increased production capacity, the company has served more customers efficiently. An unexpected benefit has been the smooth finish of the wood produced by the EG800, which has garnered positive feedback from their clients.
With plans to open a new sawmill in Chebole, Bomet County, Mijengo Investments is looking to expand its operations further with Wood-Mizer and Husky Outdoor Equipment. . They intend to install a new machine at this facility to process logs into boards for the main mill.
Mijengo Investments is a testament to the quality and reliability of Wood-Mizer machinery. "We would definitely recommend Wood-Mizer to others," Pancras shared. "The machines are easy to operate, deliver great value for money, and have significantly improved our production process."
As Mijengo Investments grows, Wood-Mizer along with Husky Outdoor Equipment. will remain a critical partner in their journey toward greater efficiency, reliability, and success.
