Eastern Forest, a leading local timber treatment company, has expanded its footprint by opening a new branch in Bulawayo, reinforcing its commitment to the growth of Zimbabwe’s wood industry. The expansion has created employment for over 75 people nationwide while offering high-quality timber products to local and regional markets.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Harare, Eastern Forest operates plantations in Chipinge and runs state-of-the-art treatment plants in Mount Hampden and Marondera. The company specialises in creosote and tanalith pressure-treated timber products, including electricity transmission poles, mining props, roofing and greenhouse poles, trellising poles, fencing materials, rough-sawn timber, and telephone poles.
Company owner, Mr. Leander Mutambanengwe, emphasized their role in job creation and industry development.
Zimbabwe’s timber industry, once a major contributor to export earnings, is undergoing revitalization to reclaim its position in regional and global markets. At its peak in 2001, the sector generated US$137 million in exports. Eastern Forest is contributing to this resurgence by exporting timber products to Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia.
Sustainable forestry practices are essential to ensure the long-term viability of Zimbabwe’s timber sector, with companies like Eastern Forest playing a crucial role in its recovery and growth.
