The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) is proud to announce the appointment of three new and additional Directors to its Board. Chris van Noord came on board in March, and this month Stian de Jager and Hennie Joubert joined the team.
STIAN DE JAGER
Although qualified in mechanical engineering, Stian de Jager has worked in the prefabricated timber roof truss industry since 2004.
In 2011, Stian was appointed General Manager for Tlhomeso Timbers and Vertex Roofing Contractors, Botswana’s largest roof truss manufacturer. While working closely with professional roof truss engineers, he furthered his qualifications to include a 20/20 Advanced Designer Certificate from MiTek.
Stian is proud to say that Cor van Os, a pioneer in the roofing industry, was his mentor. Cor was known for leading system providers in new concepts and management software solutions.
In 2012, Stian was sent to the USA to oversee rigging and importing various advanced roof truss manufacturing equipment, including the first TCT-Automation automated linear saw. His expertise with the TCT-Automation equipment prompted Stian to assist MiTek and South African truss plants with calibrating and fault finding the saws and training operators.
Stian returned to South Africa in 2015 to take up his inspection and consulting work. He is an ITC-SA registered Category A Roof Inspector.
Roof truss manufacturers consult him on costing and management structures and developing management software solutions. He consulted two prominent truss plants, Coen Steytler’s KC Roofing and Kalahari Bruwer’s Rooftek Roof Trusses.
Inspecting timber roofs, particularly annual structural assessments of existing roofs against the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Construction Regulations requirements, are important extensions of his services.
The work and technical reports on roof non-compliances and failures contain valuable insights and guidance from Prof Walter Burdzik, the ITC-SA Engineer under whom Stian is registered.
Stian says he is committed to adding value to the ITC-SA. He looks forward to making a significant contribution by sharing his knowledge and experience and collaborating with industry professionals.
HENDRIK (HENNIE) JOUBERT
Hennie knew what his future would be from the moment he walked into the Grade 10 civil technology classroom at Hoër Tegnieseskool (HTS) John Vorster in Pretoria. When he matriculated in 2015, he embarked on his chosen career in the engineered timber truss industry.
In January 2016, Hennie joined Patria Truss Manufacturers, where he received in-house training from Kobus and Hendrik Joubert. Hendrik has years of experience and served on the ITC-SA Board of Directors in 1997 and 1998.
After his fabricator training, Hennie worked for Wilnel Oprigters and gained hands-on experience in erecting roofs. He then trained as a roof truss estimator and designer on the ITS programmes.
Hennie says his training has helped understand roof designs and how everything fits together. He also completed the ITC-SA’s entry-level estimating and design course.
Always craving to learn more, Hennie decided to add roof sales to his list of competencies. “The knowledge I gained in designing and erecting gave me the confidence to advise clients on the best product and design to fit their needs,” he says.
In November 2017, Hennie joined MEGA Roofs and headed the Design Team. He is responsible for all estimation designs, final designs, and roof plans for the erectors working on site. “The quality of my work assisted MEGA Roofs to become an ITC-SA accredited Category A Roof Fabricator.”
Hennie completed a BCom in business management and jumped at the chance to manage the truss plant when MEGA Roofs offered the position to him.
“Thank you for nominating me to serve on the Board of the ITC-SA. I look forward to gaining more experience and serving the ITC-SA and its members to the best of my ability,” Hennie states.
CHRIS VAN NOORD
Chris has dedicated over three decades to the roof truss industry.
He and his family live in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, where he has worked as a Fabricator at Middelburg Dakkappe since 1990.
Chris believes the ITC-SA has a critical role in the built environment today and in the future. As a member of the Board of Directors, he wants to assist the organisation in expanding its membership drive by informing new entrants to the industry of the benefits of achieving Professional Designations.
He is concerned about increasing incidents of poorly constructed site-made roof trusses and the impact on the unsuspecting consumer.
“As a Fabricator, I am perfectly positioned to advise and assist the ITC- SA’s efforts in ensuring that all South Africans have well-designed roofs over their heads. At the same time, it will benefit Fabricators by increasing their workload.”
