Local is lekker – Our Plett Studio

Jill McNamara used to build fans and now manages production alongside her husband Brad, who drives sales. She is a warm, red-lip-sticked human who is happy to deal with quick-fire questions. Revealing that she prefers wearing slops to going barefoot, adores her eight year-old daughter Tatum, taught yoga in India, worked in the film industry and was PA to movie star Meg Ryan in another lifetime. I got to learn more about this specialised business, chatting to Jill between production timelines and an afternoon lift club.

HOW DID THIS ALL BEGIN?

Our family-run business has been operating for almost 25 years. Brad and I have both built up a passion for this niche business.

WITH BRAD AND YOU MANAGING THE MOVES, WHO ARE THE LOCAL HANDS-ON HUMANS BEHIND THE SCENES?

Ireland-based Niall is our financial director; Mornay is our technical manager, working closely with Stevie, our primary builder. Archie and Shorty work their magic in production and Eunice keeps things sparkling clean. It’s the product that grows our business for sure, but without these key people it would be a different story.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESS

Our clients are interior designers, architects, private homeowners, and lighting-store resellers like Glow Lighting, right here in Plett. We are consistent in the manufacturing of quality products and in our pre- and post-sales support. It’s not just build-and-go, it’s about creating handcrafted, individual items. Brad and I keep up with the trends by regularly attending international trade fairs, such as the one in Hong Kong this coming October.

We have a range of different styles and wooden finishes. We were the first to introduce BrushLess DC motors to the SA market. This is incredibly energy-efficient tech which is what people want, especially for homes running on solar power. We also have a repair centre for servicing older fans.

WHAT IS THE LOCAL VS INTERNATIONAL RATIO IN TERMS OF YOUR MANUFACTURING PROCESS?

We are both a manufacturer and an importer of ceiling fans. This balance works really well for us as we also love being involved in the handcrafted process. Timber Fans relies on various local suppliers for our materials, which gives our assembly line that local footprint. The spin-off of which is being able to support so many local people.

DOES LOCAL WOOD PLAY A ROLE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF YOUR FANS?

Timber is protected, so we work with local suppliers that responsibly source sustainable timber, both locally and imported. Our most popular wooden finishes are Ash, Sepele/ Mahogany and Oak.

Naturally we can only offer what is readily available. For example, we can no longer offer finishes in protected woods like Rosewood, Iroko and Yellowwood.

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE INSTALLATIONS?

We’ve worked with amazing international and local clients such as Emily Moon, Barringtons, Pezula, Simola, and Crags Country Lodge. We’ve also done phenomenal installations in bush lodges like Cheetah Plains and The One & Only in Rwanda. It’s exciting knowing that our fans are going to some of the most prestigious lodges and homes.