About us

We have the visionary initiators George Kuratle, Gerhard Amann, Hermann Blumer, Alfred Fitze, Heinz Jucker, Christoph Meier, Thomas Rohner and Bernhard Tritschler to thank for the Wood Conference. This team of experts from the timber industry organised the first Wood Conference in 2011. George Kuratle, founder and CEO of HWZ International SA Ltd. Pty South Afrika, set himself the long-term goal of promoting sustainable construction through the increased use of wood in South Africa. At the same time, he promised to continue the newly created network platform for at least ten years. Not only has he fulfilled this promise, but he has also achieved impressive success.

How it started

The founding idea of the Wood Conference was brought to life by the owners of HWZ International SA Ltd. Pty and the team of experts from Création Holz GmbH. The aim of this initiative, which is still being consistently pursued today, is to support local architects in promoting wood in sustainable construction. In addition, the aim is to increase awareness of wood as a renewable building material among builders and investors. In this context, HWZ International SA Ltd. Pty offers to organise the distribution of wood and wood-based materials, supplementing this with services in the areas of logistics, service, engineering and the promotion of training and further education in sustainable construction. As a central interface between research and specialists in the wood industry, HWZ International SA Ltd. Pty makes an important contribution to the sustainable development of jobs and training positions in South Africa.

The first Wood Conference took place on 11 February 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The premiere, which was held under the motto ‘Wood as a Universal Material for Innovative, Sustainable, and Modern Architecture’, was a great success with over 100 participants.

One year later, on 2 February 2012, the second Wood Conference was held under the title ‘Cutting Edge Knowledge for Living and Building’. The number of participants rose to 150 and continued to grow in the following years. This illustrates the ongoing interest in the vision of the initiator George Kuratle: ‘Working and Living with Wood’.

The Wood Conference quickly established itself as one of the most important knowledge platforms for sustainable building in South Africa. Architects, planners, investors, builders, teachers and students use the event to find out about the latest trends in building with wood, to be inspired and to exchange valuable experiences and knowledge. Today, the Wood Conference is a fixed part of their annual agenda.

Every year, this exclusive event attracts hundreds of experts from the construction industry, as well as representatives from the fields of politics and business. The positive response has sparked the interest of international experts, who will be presenting impressive lighthouse projects in timber construction at the conference. Renowned speakers from around the world will enrich the platform with guest lectures on modern timber construction and sustainable building, thus contributing significantly to the further development of the conference.

In February 2015, the Wood Conference celebrated its 5th anniversary under the inspiring motto: ‘The New Passion – Create Something with Wood’. With over 750 participants visiting the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), a new visitor record was set – a testament to the growing importance and success of the event.

After eight years of successful implementation, George Kuratle decided to promote the further development of the knowledge platform by organising it in collaboration with an experienced partner from the industry. The Wood Conference 2018 was held in cooperation with the Forum Holzbau. This eighth conference in February 2018 attracted around 650 participants and continued the tradition of exchanging knowledge and experience.

Another milestone was reached on 26 February 2020 with the 10th Wood Conference, which took place under the motto ‘Wood – The Future Building Material’. With 840 participants, the anniversary edition set a new attendance record. The festivities for the 10th anniversary of the conference were enriched with a special supporting programme that thrilled both local and international guests.

The 11th Wood Conference took place again on 14 February 2022 under the motto ‘Timber – the key for sustainable and qualitative growth’ after a forced one-year coronavirus break. The conference was held online for the first time, with around 900 people taking part. A format that proved successful.

For the 12th and 13th Wood Conference, the organisers finally switched to a hybrid event format that combines the advantages of an on-site conference in Cape Town with online participation. In this way, past success could be carried over into the future and further developed.

Future

After fifteen years of positive feedback, the success story of the Wood Conference continues on 25 February 2025 at the CTICC – this time with a new look. The organisational structures have been realigned and the entire communication presence, including the visual appearance, has been given a modern update as part of a comprehensive relaunch. The Kuratle Group company in South Africa is now operating under the name Wood Conference SA and will be presenting itself in its new look for the first time at the 14th Conference.

In addition, the organisational structures have been reorganised: the Kuratle Group company in South Africa is operating as an independent company under the name Wood Conference SA Ltd Pty. The aim is to further establish the Wood Conference as a neutral and independent networking platform.

The annual Wood Conference is financed by participant fees and the support of long-standing partners. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to our loyal sponsors who have stood by our side from the very beginning.

The promise that George Kuratle made 15 years ago at the first Wood Conference – to establish the event not as a one-off, but as a long-term investment in knowledge sharing, dialogue and innovation in South Africa – has been consistently delivered. Over the years, the conference has become a central meeting place for architects, engineers, developers and investors who share a common vision of sustainable construction.

A key factor in this success has been the support of committed participants, partners and sponsors, as well as the long-standing commitment of local employees Zaida Davids and Hannu Garny. The platform has been continuously developed and is now in its third generation, under the leadership of the Kuratle family and co-chaired by George and Roger Kuratle.

In view of the positive development, we are confident that the Wood Conference will continue to grow in the future. At the same time, the potential for the local sale of wood products and wood-based materials has increased significantly. By expanding partnerships with local producers and distributors, the influence on timber construction and sustainable building in South Africa will be further strengthened.