TOMCAT chipper for Africa’s largest sisal company in Kenya

Last week we had the privilege of delivering a TOMCAT Model 375 AFE to a well-established sisal production company in Kenya, REA Vipingo.

The REA Vipingo Group is the largest sisal fibre producer in Africa, growing their sisal on a 10000 hectare estate in Kibwesi. Sisal products traditionally consist of agricultural twine, general cordage and sacks. However, in recent years these uses of East African sisal have grown to include high quality sisal carpets, buffing cloth, sisal pulp for use speciality papers, cores for wire ropes, dartboards and handicrafts and building products.

The company’s application of the wood chipper is as follows: The sisal leaves are harvested for the fibres. When the old plants are taken out after their lifespan, the sisal boles are put through the chipper. The material produced by the chipper is then used to fire their boilers and produce electricity for the factory and the excess sold back to the grid. They are estimating to be chipping in excess of 50tons/day.

Commissioning of the chipper and a productive product introduction session took place last week in Kenya. We would like to congratulate REA Vipingo on the purchase of their brand new TOMCAT 375 AFE Wood Chipper and wish them success for the years to come.