Making the cut: Jana van Heerden's technical journey in woodworking

Janarien (Jana) van Heerden brings electrical expertise and mechanical precision to her role as woodworking machine technician at CMC Group, and, as South Africa's only female technician in this specialised field, she's charting new territory in the forestry sector.

Jana's journey began with her 2020 electrician qualification from Sol-Tech, followed by experience in the plastics industry. When she responded to CMC's technician advertisement in 2023, her background with machine components like bearings and motors caught their attention.

"Although I had solid experience with mechanical systems, I knew nothing about wood," Jana recalls. "Leon Fourie's confidence in offering me the woodworking machine technician position was both surprising and encouraging."

Proving expertise

Jana's role spans installation, commissioning, and servicing advanced CNC and woodworking machinery across Southern Africa, with projects completed in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Her arrival at client sites invariably creates a moment of surprise.

"There's always that initial reaction when I arrive at a factory and they realise I'm the technician they've been waiting for," she explains. "Most production departments in woodworking, kitchen manufacturing, and shopfitting are managed by men, so seeing a female technician is unexpected."

However, van Heerden's technical competence quickly establishes credibility. Her electrical foundation covering single- and three-phase systems, manufacturing processes, and PLC principles, proves essential when calibrating equipment for diverse applications.

"The characteristics of different timber species, engineered boards like particle board and MDF and edge banding materials on tooling and machine settings are fascinating," she explains. "Each material demands specific technical adjustments".

Recognition and growth

A career highlight came in February with a hands-on learning opportunity at KDT's manufacturing facility in China, where Jana expanded her expertise on industrial-scale operations.

Pieter Olivier, Founder and CEO of the CMC Group, says he is proud of her achievements. "We believe in equal opportunities for anyone who is competent in what they do", he comments. "Jana regards everything as a learning experience, and her positive attitude in the workplace, respect for her colleagues and our clients make her achievements and performance exceptional".

Jana credits her success to mentoring from CMC’s technical manager, Flippie Badenhorst and the supportive environment. "The respect and dignity I've experienced from management and colleagues has been exceptional. Everyone has invested in my development".

Her Sol-Tech training, which included a practical industry year emphasising service delivery excellence, continues to inform her approach. "Understanding both the technical and service aspects is crucial. Ultimately, results speak louder than first impressions".