Overberg Joinery Works was opened in 2009 by Simon Smith former owner and founder of Benchmark Joinery cc. After many successful years in the highly demanding contract business, Simon opted to sell the business and create a more personal and highly skilled operation which could be managed more closely, offering complete client satisfaction with regard to the finished project. To achieve this goal OJW was created with its first handcrafted structural joinery project being a curved post and beam build on a small holding in the picturesque valley of Elgin, just fifty minutes drive from Cape Town. Simon has eighteen years experience in owning and running operations specialising in high end joinery in South Africa. Prior to this he has extensive experience from ten years in the UK market where he originally trained in carpentry and joinery.
We now have a workshop in the UK. Please contact Simon for your requirements.
OJW offers specialist manufacture and installation of all types of bespoke joinery and carpentry. Ranging from structural joinery, traditional post and beam construction and timber framing work to all aspects of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. This is currently achieved by a small compliment of highly skilled staff.
The business is supported by regular clients and suppliers with over eighteen years working relationships on numerous large to small projects. OJW prides itself on quality workmanship and client satisfaction meeting agreed deadlines on time, every time.
OJW Environmentally Aware
Environmentally friendly building is the way of the future. OJW can offer a unique opportunity for you to use your own alien and invasive eucalyptus “gum trees” which may be growing on your land. OJW can turn these trees, on site, from water leaching invaders into a beautiful carbon neutral traditional post and beam building. These trees are felled, milled and turned into a post and beam structure when green, as done in traditional methods, the wood becomes very dense, hard and super strong with properties comparable to oak. These traditional methods of building have been used throughout the world for hundreds of years with the buildings standing to this day and well into the next century.Reasons to remove and recycle your “gum trees” wisely:
Imported from Australia to South Africa in the early 20th Century to support the emerging mining industry as they reproduce quickly
Grows to 7.5m in 3 years requiring 150 litres of water a day to survive
Drains all water from surrounding terrain leaving the area barren and unable to sustain any other growth
Declared an invasive species in all conservation areas
Quality hardwood with straight grain, colours ranging through light brown to pinkish and dark red
Broadly used for quality flooring, furniture, shipbuilding, joinery, general construction and tool handles.
Please feel free to contact Simon directly for your OJW experience.
Cell: 082 339 4998 Email: simon@ojw.co.za
