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About GFP Machines
Over 22 years in the Woodworking Industry
A Long History in The Industry
Woodworking Culture
Wealth of
Experience
About GFP Machines
Over 22 years in the Woodworking Industry
Long History in the Industry
Woodworking Culture
Wealth of
Experience
GFP Has The Largest Stock of
Woodwork Machines in Africa
GFP Has The Largest Stock of
Woodwork Machines in Africa
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“Remember; you don’t always need the most expensive piece of machinery to get the job done. Instead of over-extending your cash flow to buy machines you can’t afford, a quality pre-owned machine could be all you need to get the job done.”
– Gys Potgieter
A Gold Mine of Industry and Technical Expertise
Meet Our Team
Mr Gys Potgieter
Company Owner and business mentor
From his humble beginnings producing wooden pencil boxes at age 14, founder of GFP Machines, Gys Potgieter has built a profound legacy in the woodworking industry of Southern Africa. His name is well known and respected by both manufactures and machine suppliers alike.
Mr Potgieter has personally spearheaded and managed many successful wood product manufacturing companies. GFP Woodwork Machines is the culmination of Gys’s 36 years’ experience as both a master woodcrafter and trusted machine supplier. To this day, Mr Potgieter still regularly travels around the world to source the best pre-owned and new woodworking machines for his customers.
For Gys, wood craftmanship is a language of patience, perfection and determination – creating natural objects of lasting beauty. With having always remained true to this passion and love for woodworking, Gys carries this into the company; guiding, mentoring and inspiring both customers and staff to carry on and build the legacy that is G.F. Potgieter Woodworking Machinery – the greatest machine supplier in Africa.
Gavin Prowse
Sawmill Industry Leader and Sub Sahara Africa Expert
Gavin Prowse has been involved in the Sawmilling industry for decades. His technical expertise and reputation for quality has made him a firm favourite with sawmillers and woodworking businesses alike – not only in South Africa but indeed throughout Sub Saharan Africa. As a director of the company, and with his strong management ability, Gavin is spearheading the long term success of the company.
Gavin is a specialist when it comes to advising customers on how to achieve success in the sawmilling industry. What types of wood are available and which machines to match with each customer’s unique production and budgetary requirements. And with a vast personal knowledge of Rhino Sawmills, Wood-Mizer and Norwood Band Sawmills – it’s fair to say that Gavin’s advice can be confidently taken to heart.
Having personally worked in the field with sawmillers in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Congo and Ghana, but to name a few, Gavin has a wealth of expertise and is happy to share it.
William Kriel
Solid Wood and Production Expert
As a product and machine specialist, William has been involved in the woodworking industry since 1994. Having been the owner of a solid wood manufacturing business for many years, which specialized in wood turning, cabinets and other solid wood products, William is in a unique position where he has intimate personal knowledge of both product manufacturing and the machines needed to achieve a quality product and large production volumes.
Additionally, having also worked with board products such as MDF and melamine, William has become one of GFP Machines’ leading machinery advisors, with a wide range of customers accross Sub Saharan Africa relying on his advice and knowledge.
William’s professionalism and strong expertise, coupled with his willingness to help makes him a valued member of the team, both for his colleagues and his customers.
Gerhard van Niekerk
Industry legend and trusted business advisor
It would be difficult to overstate Gerhard’s personal contribution to the business that is GFP Machines. Having previously worked in banking and finance, this unique background has played an influential role in the development and success of GFP Machines as a company, of which he has been a part of since the early years of 2004.
Gerhard has a massive range of customers and he still manages some of GFP’s largest clients, many of whom would contact him personally on his cell when they need to enquire about machinery or parts. Customers have come to trust and rely not only on Gerhard’s machinery expertise, but also on his vast knowledge of business strategy, economics and finance – aspects which are often overlooked by many new start-up business owners.
Gerhard says it like it is and will give you his honest opinion – a fact that many customers have come to appreciate, as the right machine for the job isn’t necessarily the most expensive one, and advice regarding machine operators, sale strategy and overhead management can often be what makes or breaks a new aspiring business.
Cobus Viljoen (JJ)
Marketing, Sales and Export
Cobus has been involved with the company since 2012 and has successfully helped grow the market reach and scope of the business that is GFP Machines. Specializing in marketing, digital strategy and sales development, his knowledge of the business and positive influence is felt in many aspects of the company.
Having worked very closely with Mr Potgieter since an early age has had a very influential role in his life, and he strives to imbue the GFP brand with the core values that Gys aims to install in the company; those of quality, passion, steadfastness and reliability.
Cobus is involved with sales in the Western Cape and in the export of woodwork and sawmill machinery across Africa.
Mr Gys Potgieter
Company Owner and business mentor
From his humble beginnings producing wooden pencil boxes at age 14, founder of GFP Machines, Gys Potgieter has built a profound legacy in the woodworking industry of Southern Africa. His name is well known and respected by both manufactures and machine suppliers alike.
Mr Potgieter has personally spearheaded and managed many successful wood product manufacturing companies. GFP Woodwork Machines is the culmination of Gys’s 36 years’ experience as both a master woodcrafter and trusted machine supplier. To this day, Mr Potgieter still regularly travels around the world to source the best pre-owned and new woodworking machines for his customers.
For Gys, wood craftmanship is a language of patience, perfection and determination – creating natural objects of lasting beauty. With having always remained true to this passion and love for woodworking, Gys carries this into the company; guiding, mentoring and inspiring both customers and staff to carry on and build the legacy that is G.F. Potgieter Woodworking Machinery – the greatest machine supplier in Africa.
Gavin Prowse
Sawmill Industry Leader and Sub Sahara Africa Expert
Gavin Prowse has been involved in the Sawmilling industry for decades. His technical expertise and reputation for quality has made him a firm favourite with sawmillers and woodworking businesses alike – not only in South Africa but indeed throughout Sub Saharan Africa. As a director of the company, and with his strong management ability, Gavin is spearheading the long term success of the company.
Gavin is a specialist when it comes to advising customers on how to achieve success in the sawmilling industry. What types of wood are available and which machines to match with each customer’s unique production and budgetary requirements. And with a vast personal knowledge of Rhino Sawmills, Wood-Mizer and Norwood Band Sawmills – it’s fair to say that Gavin’s advice can be confidently taken to heart.
Having personally worked in the field with sawmillers in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Congo and Ghana, but to name a few, Gavin has a wealth of expertise and is happy to share it.
William Kriel
Solid Wood and Production Expert
As a product and machine specialist, William has been involved in the woodworking industry since 1994. Having been the owner of a solid wood manufacturing business for many years, which specialized in wood turning, cabinets and other solid wood products, William is in a unique position where he has intimate personal knowledge of both product manufacturing and the machines needed to achieve a quality product and large production volumes.
Additionally, having also worked with board products such as MDF and melamine, William has become one of GFP Machines’ leading machinery advisors, with a wide range of customers accross Sub Saharan Africa relying on his advice and knowledge.
William’s professionalism and strong expertise, coupled with his willingness to help makes him a valued member of the team, both for his colleagues and his customers.
Gerhard van Niekerk
Industry legend and trusted business advisor
It would be difficult to overstate Gerhard’s personal contribution to the business that is GFP Machines. Having previously worked in banking and finance, this unique background has played an influential role in the development and success of GFP Machines as a company, of which he has been a part of since the early years of 2004.
Gerhard has a massive range of customers and he still manages some of GFP’s largest clients, many of whom would contact him personally on his cell when they need to enquire about machinery or parts. Customers have come to trust and rely not only on Gerhard’s machinery expertise, but also on his vast knowledge of business strategy, economics and finance – aspects which are often overlooked by many new start-up business owners.
Gerhard says it like it is and will give you his honest opinion – a fact that many customers have come to appreciate, as the right machine for the job isn’t necessarily the most expensive one, and advice regarding machine operators, sale strategy and overhead management can often be what makes or breaks a new aspiring business.
Cobus Viljoen (JJ)
Marketing, Export and Sales
Cobus has been involved with the company since 2012 and has successfully helped grow the market reach and scope of the business that is GFP Machines. Specializing in marketing, digital strategy and sales development, his knowledge of the business and positive influence is felt in many aspects of the company.
Having worked very closely with Mr Potgieter since an early age has had a very influential role in his life, and he strives to imbue the GFP brand with the core values that Gys aims to install in the company; those of quality, passion, steadfastness and reliability.
Cobus is involved with sales in the Western Cape and in the export of woodwork and sawmill machinery across Africa.
Our Johannesburg Showroom
Conveniently located just 15 minutes south of the Johannesburg city centre, our impressive multi-building showroom contains over 450 top quality new and pre-owned woodwork and sawmill machines – giving you the biggest selection and the best value.
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