Every business faces its own unique set of challenges. With over 20 years of experience in the wood industry, TIMBERplus has built its reputation on helping companies streamline operations, improve visibility, and adapt to evolving requirements — always with the goal of enabling long-term growth and efficiency. In 2023, we had the opportunity to start working with John Bitar & Co. Ltd. (JCM & JBI), a well-established wood company in Ghana. With two main sites — a veneer production mill in Suhuma (JBI) and a warehouse in Sekondi-Takoradi (JCM) — they were looking to improve their processes and enhance the flow of information between locations.
While their operations were running, managing inventory across two locations posed difficulties. Their sawmill was operating with a local software system that wasn’t connected to the warehouse. This led to disconnected workflows and required manual workarounds — such as taking notes by hand, re-entering data into separate systems, and sending tally files between sites.
This approach wasn’t necessarily failing, but it was time-consuming, increased the risk of data entry errors, and made it difficult to maintain a full, real-time view of inventory — especially when it came to knowing what materials were available, their grades, and specific characteristics.
After thoughtful planning and discussions, John Bitar & Co. Ltd. began implementing TIMBERplus solutions in 2024, with a clear goal: to modernize their inventory management and sales processes across both locations.
In May, one of our TIMBERplus Implementation Manager Doricia, was on-site for 9 days for the final implementation, training and go live of the project. We began by installing TIMBERplus Vision at the JBI production site. This solution uses a camera to automatically measure veneer bundles andtake pictures of each one, creating a digital record that can later be used for sales — removing the need to physically present material to potential customers.
To solve the communication gap between mill and warehouse, we implemented TIMBERplus HUB, which connects seamlessly with TP Vision and TP measurement. With this setup, measurements, pictures, and location data are uploaded in under a minute and immediately available at the warehouse. This real-time visibility has been a major step forward in keeping both locations aligned. Now, warehouse teams know what’s coming before the material arrives, giving them the ability to plan, share images with customers, and even start selling in advance.
To complement this, we also implemented TIMBERplus Classic and TIMBERplus Web, which provided a more advanced inventory management solution. With these tools, the team can now filter available stock by species, grade, length, and width.
They can show customers current inventory with photos and reserve material while waiting for confirmation. Once a customer confirms interest, the same system supports following up with a quote, managing invoicing, and preparing the packing — creating a much smoother workflow within the same system.
A key feature is the ability to track and update material locations, making it much easier to identify exactly where bundles are and what’s available at each site — including goods that are still in transit. This visibility allows the team to start sales conversations earlier and serve their customers with greater speed and accuracy.
At the JCM warehouse, we also rolled out TIMBERplus Grading, giving the team the ability to efficiently grade veneer materials directly on-site. With our user-friendly grading app, warehouse staff can assign grades, qualities, and remarks to each bundle using mobile devices, streamlining the quality control process and ensuring consistency across batches. This tool is especially valuable when materials are received directly at the warehouse and need to be evaluated without delay.
To complement this, TIMBERplus Camera was implemented — a mobile solution that allows staff to take high-quality pictures of veneer bundles using smartphones or tablets and upload them directly into the TIMBERplus system. This is particularly useful when material is reclipped or regraded, as it enables the team to replace outdated images with new ones immediately. Having accurate, up-to-date photos not only improves internal documentation but also enhances the way material is presented to potential buyers.
With TIMBERplus Web Viewer, the warehouse team can now preview upcoming shipments in TIMBERplus HUB, reviewing images and bundle data before the goods arrive. This visibility allows them to accept or reject shipments ahead of time, helping to avoid unnecessary transport costs. Sales teams also benefit from this setup by being able to start offering material to customers based on verified digital data — including images, measurements, nd grades — before the physical inventory even reaches the warehouse. It’s a faster, more informed, and more efficient way of working.
With these solutions now in place, John Bitar & Co. Ltd. has taken a major step toward full digitalization. The new setup gives them a clear, connected view of their operations — from production to sales — and prepares them to meet industry demands more efficiently and confidently. Looking ahead, we’re also exploring ways to integrate TIMBERplus with their existing accounting system and to support their timber log purchasing process — helping ensure that even more areas of the business are streamlined and aligned under one digital workflow.
Of course, this project’s success wasn’t only about technology. It was made possible thanks to the dedicated collaboration with the fantastic team at John Bitar, including Tony Sabbagh, Michael Bonsu (JCM), and Emmanuel Cudjoe (JBI). It’s always a pleasure to work alongside professionals who are deeply invested in driving their company forward.