Forest Engineering Southern Africa (FESA) is an association representing members of the South African Forestry Industry. It focuses on the development and promotion of Forest Engineering (harvesting, ergonomics, roads and transport).

FESA is a well recognised name in global Forest Engineering circles. The idea of coordinated Forest Engineering research was pioneered by Prof. Walter Warkotsch in 1988 and it grew into a formal organisation by the mid 1990’s, when the name FESA was adopted. Many persons in the South African industry contributed to the organisation over the years. In 2003 it was absorbed into the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) as a Forest Engineering research programme. This industry association will now once again be operating under the name of FESA. The strong brand name and renewed energy in Forest Engineering development and research in Southern Africa have resulted in the re-strategising of the association under the FESA banner. FESA will now be focussing on a number of objectives:

•   The promotion of research and development to improve productivity
•   Distribution of relevant information
•   Engaging in technology transfer
•   Improving skills and efficiencies by promoting and supporting training
•   Promoting inter-organisational cooperation
•   Promoting quality, safety and environmental standards

FESA is currently involved in many research and development projects and have also produced a number of Forest Engineering publications, including manuals and handbooks. Source: www.icfr.ukzn.ac.za/collaboration/forest-engineering-southern-africa