Industry Experience and Leadership
Abri Viljoen, General Manager of Fleet and Logistics at York Timbers, brings nearly two decades of forestry experience to the table—three and a half years of which have been spent guiding operations at York. His insight into the industry’s evolving challenges, especially around raw material supply, continues to shape the company’s equipment strategy and supplier relationships.
From Urgent Need to Strategic Partnership
York’s relationship with John Deere began in 2023 with what Abri calls a “quick, impulsive need” for mechanized solutions to mitigate supply risks. That initial step has grown into a strategic alliance backed by technical expertise and reactive support. The responsiveness of John Deere—and its local affiliate, AFGRI—has enabled York to select optimal machinery based on their terrain, tree sizes, and operational demands.
Terrain-Based Decisions That Drive Efficiency
Evaluating underfoot conditions, tree layouts, and plantation dynamics has been essential. With expert guidance from AFGRI and John Deere specialists, York has built a fleet tailored to environmental challenges—ensuring their mills receive reliable, efficient raw material supply even in rugged terrain.
Optimization Technology Meets Real-World Value
York’s approach to machinery is all about purpose-built performance. Each unit is carefully chosen to meet current needs and adapt to future forestry demands. Abri emphasizes the importance of value extraction from every tree, noting that John Deere’s optimization software makes this process seamless. “It gives operators the visibility they need to make better decisions in the moment,” he shares. “ Without this technology, value could easily be lost on the ground.”
Training, Support, and Continuous Improvement
The learning phase with the 859 harvester reflects York’s forward-thinking approach. With clear performance parameters already set, the company expects strong results in the coming months—supported by continuous operator training and technical input from the John Deere franchise. “That’s quite important for us,” Abri notes. These learning cycles strengthen not only machinery efficiency but also operator confidence.
Machines That Push Boundaries
Can forestry equipment exceed expectations? At York Timbers, pushing limits is standard practice. Units like the 1270 and 1910 Forwarder have already proven their performance capabilities, steadily becoming key assets in York’s operational success. “They’re working their way up to becoming quite important in our industry,” Abri reflects.
From rapid equipment deployment to ongoing support, York’s partnership with John Deere and AFGRI exemplifies how strategic choices in machinery and training can transform forestry operations. It’s not just about logging—it’s about long-term sustainability, optimized value, and adaptive technology.
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