Macadamia farmers in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces need look no further than Vos Plant for all their orchard development requirements – from bush clearing to tree planting and everything in between.
By Colleen Dardagan
Top earth-moving machinery rental business owner Pieter Vos says he has built his company on know-how, meeting the individual needs of his customers and then going the extra mile.
When the exponential growth in South Africa’s macadamia industry picked up more than two decades ago, he geared his business to make sure it was equipped to meet the demand. “Orchard development is high cost, but precision contouring and proper drainage guarantees long term returns from the investment,” he said. “That is why it’s so important for farmers to use contractors like us who have the experience and the skill to make sure the job is done properly from the ground up.”
Vos reiterates that the company offers a “from start to finish” solution for mac farmers. “We can clear the land, prepare the orchards, lay the irrigation system and plant the trees. We are a one-stop-shop for mac farmers.”
Vos, who has run his earth-moving machinery rental operation in Mpumalanga and Limpopo for 30 years, says his reputation for trust and reliability – which are foundational values – is well established and not something he takes lightly.
“Since I started this business in 1999, I have focused on building a foundation based on solid values, like respecting my staff and my customers and making sure we always deliver on our promises. We keep our eye on those small details that make the difference between what is exceptional and what is not. For example, being on time, communicating often and building relationships based on trust.”
Since he was a young boy growing up on a farm in the Lowveld, Vos has loved yellow machines and the smell of turned earth. “You could say I have diesel in my veins,” he quips.
When he finished his studies, he returned to the farm to work alongside his family. “We had a bulldozer, and I loved doing the bush clearing and land preparation.”
What began as a discussion with his father and uncle to diversify their farming operations to include earth-moving services is today one of the most well-respected yellow machine rental businesses in the region. “My dad and uncle weren’t keen on my idea, so I chose to strike out on my own. I really love these machines and what they can do, like dam building, or creating fields for farmers to work in,” Vos says.
The first yellow machine he acquired was a D85 Komatsu. “I have worked very hard making sure that every machine I own – which is 12 now – is fully paid for and in tip top condition.”
Vos has 12 operators working for him and five administrative staff, and said from a staffing perspective, the quality of his people and how he cares for them is key. “Some of my staff have come to the company from other businesses, but most of my operators were farm workers previously. They have received and continue to receive training to make sure they are more than well-equipped for the work they do. We set very high standards for ourselves.”
Vos Plant offers a wide range of turnkey solutions, from agricultural land preparation, commercial construction site preparation and non-commercial road construction, to HDPE lined dam construction, irrigation installation, and more. “Central to our business is being able to offer customers a range of earth-moving machines for rental and making sure that the right equipment is available for each specific project. Our fleet includes everything from excavators and bulldozers to graders and compactors, all maintained at the highest standards for optimal performance.”
