The forestry industry in South Africa consists mainly of large forest owners (Sappi, Mondi, York etc) and contractors servicing these forest owners in terms of harvesting and transport, silviculture and fire protection and village management and maintenance. In 2009 Prestige Cleaning Services decided to investigate a possible venture into the forestry industry. Due to the similar labour requirements (cleaning and forestry are both very labour intensive), Prestige felt comfortable with the challenges presented by the forestry industry. Research was conducted over a broad spectrum (including Saasveld) to establish current contractor short cummings in the industry and how Prestige would be able to deliver a superior service. Labour management together with weak business practices were identified as general weaknesses amongst a number of contractors. Prestige concluded that a market existed for a professional and financially stable player in the industry. A decision was made to focus on silvicultue and village maintenance. A business model was developed that gave more financial control to the forest owner in terms of the management and maintenance of the forestry villages used to house forestry workers. To enter the silviculture market, Prestige decided on an acquisition strategy that gave both credibility and financial stability to the forest owner. Skilled and experienced foresters became part of the Prestige team that services forestry companies such as Sappi and York. Through experience gained over the past year, Prestige now has the ability to offer top class silviculture, fire protection and village maintenance services to the forestry industry in South Africa.