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Showing posts with label sawmill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sawmill. Show all posts
Thursday, September 21, 2017
RedStag Timber Sawmill New Zealand USNR technology
RedStag Timber Sawmill Opening HD 23 March 2017. A video that was presented at the opening of their new sawmill line.
It covers the history of the site and where they are gong. Newest Sawmill technology from USNR.
Source: http://www.redstagtimber.co.nz/
Wednesday, September 07, 2016
Southport Lumber Mill, North Bend Oregon
Southport Lumber Mill, North Bend Oregon, USA. Published: 16.2.2013. Taken during a tour organized by Leadership Coos.
This is a modern, highly automated mill that specializes in small diameter Douglas Fir logs, 18" in diameter or smaller. They produce green and kiln dried wood products, with bark, wood chips, and other materials utilized as completely as possible.
With logging practices limited to younger stands of trees, this is a market that older mills designed for old-growth and large size logs can't compete with, and in fact there are a shrinking number of mills that have the capacity for those larger logs these days.
This is a video that attempts to show the journey of logs from unloading off the log trucks, being cut to size, and then being sorted and packaged onto rail cars. The technology is fascinating, and as you can see the process is very quick.
As each log enters the mill it is measured and analyzed for the most profitable and productive use according to continually updating market pricing for lumber. Lumber sizes that are getting higher prices will be cut more often, when possible, and continually adjusted to match demand.
Individual logs are debarked, cut to length, and processed through a series of saws while being oriented to make the most of each log. Lasers, optical scanners, and other devices are used to continually scan the wood and evaluate the milling process in real time as it moves to the next step.
Very little human interaction is evident, although there are people observing the line at all times. There is a high degree of technology at work here, and the production volume is high. As a commodity product, producers make very little profit so must maximize their volume to generate the needed revenues to pay operating costs, repay their investment, and continually reinvest into the facility.
- Coos County is heavily investing in natural resources, and it is the major contributor in our economy. Mining, wood products, fishing, livestock, dairy, and food products are all historical and current industries. Many are family owned, as is Southport Lumber.
- They contribute current sustainable and efficient practices in our rural areas, employ local workers, and are often active in our communities. We value our heritage, and appreciate all of the business owners for their investments and contributions.
The Reporter: "Unfortunately, this was takes with a small digital camera and did not have a higher definition option. Some of my other videos in HD were taken with a Panasonic camcorder that I had left at home for this trip. Till, next time, thanks for watching."
Source: ambledog
Monday, September 05, 2016
Flexible North-American Sawmills likely to export more
Lumber production in North America declined sharply after the housing crisis (2007) in the U.S. The weak demand for lumber in the U.S. was offset by strong international demand, however, some sawmills hesitate to export their products internationally, while others actively pursue opportunities overseas.
Finnish Sawmills Exporting of Softwood timber.
A survey response from 89 sawmills showed that medium-sized firms are more likely to target international markets than smaller firms. Firms that have a strong differentiation orientation are more likely to participate in international markets.
Most Canadian lumber firms have been exporters to the U.S. The survey data suggests that Canadian and U.S. firms have similar degrees of international commitment.
Within the U.S., firms in the North are more likely to commit to exporting than firms in Southeast, but if a Southeast firm has adopted a product differentiation strategy, then they are more likely to commit to exporting.
The survey results also showed that medium-sized firms are more flexible than smaller firms based on the number of operational changes a firm made after the housing crisis.
In Europe, sawmilling technology is different – and very different in some areas. Simply put, European mills serve multiple markets that all require different sizes, lengths, grades and specifications.
To be able to produce lumber for these many European and export markets, European sawmilling technology has evolved to be different to North American technology – this has impacted not just costs, but allows for wider product lines, expanded markets and improved margins!
With log costs also very high in Europe (at least double U.S. log costs), the European sawmilling strategy is to reduce fall-down grades of sawnwood and maximize value from the expensive logs.
To accomplish, all mills first sort and grade their logs through a log merchandizing line where logs are scanned and typically sorted by diameter class, grade and length. Many mills have 60 to 80 log sorts; some have 160.
Flexible firms are more export oriented and pursue a higher degree of differentiation than inflexible firms. The flexibility characteristics of firms are time invariant.
Firms that are flexible perceive their performance is relatively better than firms that are not flexible; however, current performance could not give insight into past performance.
These results suggest that flexibility was the key factor in the prosperity of softwood sawmills after the housing crisis, but the factors contributing to success in the sawmill industry are inconsistent over time.
Source: Research Works Archive, Wood Markets
A survey response from 89 sawmills showed that medium-sized firms are more likely to target international markets than smaller firms. Firms that have a strong differentiation orientation are more likely to participate in international markets.
Most Canadian lumber firms have been exporters to the U.S. The survey data suggests that Canadian and U.S. firms have similar degrees of international commitment.
Within the U.S., firms in the North are more likely to commit to exporting than firms in Southeast, but if a Southeast firm has adopted a product differentiation strategy, then they are more likely to commit to exporting.
The survey results also showed that medium-sized firms are more flexible than smaller firms based on the number of operational changes a firm made after the housing crisis.
In Europe, sawmilling technology is different – and very different in some areas. Simply put, European mills serve multiple markets that all require different sizes, lengths, grades and specifications.
To be able to produce lumber for these many European and export markets, European sawmilling technology has evolved to be different to North American technology – this has impacted not just costs, but allows for wider product lines, expanded markets and improved margins!
With log costs also very high in Europe (at least double U.S. log costs), the European sawmilling strategy is to reduce fall-down grades of sawnwood and maximize value from the expensive logs.
To accomplish, all mills first sort and grade their logs through a log merchandizing line where logs are scanned and typically sorted by diameter class, grade and length. Many mills have 60 to 80 log sorts; some have 160.
Flexible firms are more export oriented and pursue a higher degree of differentiation than inflexible firms. The flexibility characteristics of firms are time invariant.
Firms that are flexible perceive their performance is relatively better than firms that are not flexible; however, current performance could not give insight into past performance.
These results suggest that flexibility was the key factor in the prosperity of softwood sawmills after the housing crisis, but the factors contributing to success in the sawmill industry are inconsistent over time.
Source: Research Works Archive, Wood Markets
Saturday, September 03, 2016
Increasing exports to global markets
Finnish Sawmills are producing 3 % of the global softwood lumber (spruce, pine) and exporting about 8 million m3.
Finnish sawmills intend to increase their exports to global markets over the next three years. Close to 20 Finnish sawmills are taking part in the Wood from Finland growth programme launched 2016 jointly by Finpro and the Finnish Sawmills Association.
“China is the world’s largest furniture manufacturer and exporter. In addition, a government programme that focuses on developing environmentally friendly construction is being launched in the country,” says Wood from Finland’s Program Manager Jyrki Mantere of Finpro.
Last year, Finland exported more than 630,000 cubic metres of sawn timber to China. The total value of sawn timber exports is estimated at Euro 1.5 billion, which makes it Finland’s fourth largest export product.
“Traditionally, spruce sawn timber is shipped to South China and the Shanghai area. Hopefully, with the new export programme, new market areas in China will be found. New export markets for pine sawn timber will also be targeted,” says Jukka Tamminen, Koskisen’s export manager for spruce sawn timber.
Finnish sawmills intend to increase their exports to global markets over the next three years. Close to 20 Finnish sawmills are taking part in the Wood from Finland growth programme launched 2016 jointly by Finpro and the Finnish Sawmills Association.
“China is the world’s largest furniture manufacturer and exporter. In addition, a government programme that focuses on developing environmentally friendly construction is being launched in the country,” says Wood from Finland’s Program Manager Jyrki Mantere of Finpro.
Last year, Finland exported more than 630,000 cubic metres of sawn timber to China. The total value of sawn timber exports is estimated at Euro 1.5 billion, which makes it Finland’s fourth largest export product.
“Traditionally, spruce sawn timber is shipped to South China and the Shanghai area. Hopefully, with the new export programme, new market areas in China will be found. New export markets for pine sawn timber will also be targeted,” says Jukka Tamminen, Koskisen’s export manager for spruce sawn timber.
Friday, September 02, 2016
European Sawmilling is far more flexible and productive
European sawmills have lower processing costs than North American mills due to the differences in technology. To be able to produce lumber for these many European and export markets, European sawmilling technology has evolved to be different to North American technology – this has impacted not just costs, but allows for wider product lines, expanded markets and improved margins!
Nordautomation Oy log-sorting at the Korkeakoski sawmill in Finland.
European sawmilling technology allows for more flexible processing and almost any specified thickness, width and lengths. In every survey (based on US dollars), European mills continue to have the lowest sawmilling costs in the world (US$/Mbf or US$/m3) no matter what the exchange rate of the euro to the U.S. dollar.
One sawmill in Florida (2015) is using 100% imported European log merchandising, sawmilling, drying and planing equipment. What does this mean to the U.S. industry and markets? Could a new sawmill processing technology change the industry?
In Europe, sawmilling technology is different – and very different in some areas. Simply put, European mills serve multiple markets that all require different sizes, lengths, grades and specifications.
Customers in Europe as well as in Japan, China, Middle East, North Africa, and also the U.S., have a strong preference in dealing with sawmills that produce lumber with flexible European technology.
With log costs also very high in Europe (at least double U.S. log costs), the European sawmilling strategy is to reduce fall-down grades of sawn wood and maximize value from the expensive logs.
To accomplish, all mills first sort and grade their logs through a log merchandising line where logs are scanned and typically sorted by diameter class, grade and length. Many mills have 60 to 80 log sorts; some have 160.
Since the logs are sorted into batches of similar diameter, grade and length, the optimum product and market solutions are matched up to these log sorts to maximize value back to the log.
These log batches are run into fixed setworks in the mill, as since the logs are already pre-sized and graded, there is no need for moving and shifting setworks in log break down equipment as is extensively used in North America.
With fixed setworks and using batched logs, European mills can achieve higher lumber production output per hour, day, week, etc., as compared to North American mills. They can essentially cut any size (thickness and width) of lumber that is being requested based on the sorted log inventory.
Instead of having a 2 to 3 meter (6-9 foot) gap between logs, European mills can have 0.5 meter (1.5 foot) gap that allows for greater linear production per hour. As well, processing pre-graded logs yields very little low grade lumber from every production run, optimizing value.
As a result, European mills are extremely versatile in selling to almost any market in the world since they are not constrained by fixed sawing programs or concerns about fall-down grades.
As well, European sawmilling technology can easily produce square-edged dimension lumber and studs (i.e., home centre grade) and provide specified lengths (like a truckload of 16-foot) since the mill will take orders from the pre-sorted log (diameter, grade and length).
You can with this technology produce lumber to the exact specifications of the customer. And with the lowest sawmilling costs in the world, European lumber is found all over the world, limited only by market price (which is often a constraint due to the much higher European log prices).
This means that not only will a sawmill featuring European–technology equipment located in the U.S. South be very competitive in the U.S. market, it should be very competitive in a number of key export markets.
U.S. South (as well as Canadian SPF) mills have traditionally had restricted export market opportunities due to their inflexible sawmill technology, aside from older headrig mills.
Source: Wood Markets
Nordautomation Oy log-sorting at the Korkeakoski sawmill in Finland.
European sawmilling technology allows for more flexible processing and almost any specified thickness, width and lengths. In every survey (based on US dollars), European mills continue to have the lowest sawmilling costs in the world (US$/Mbf or US$/m3) no matter what the exchange rate of the euro to the U.S. dollar.
One sawmill in Florida (2015) is using 100% imported European log merchandising, sawmilling, drying and planing equipment. What does this mean to the U.S. industry and markets? Could a new sawmill processing technology change the industry?
In Europe, sawmilling technology is different – and very different in some areas. Simply put, European mills serve multiple markets that all require different sizes, lengths, grades and specifications.
Customers in Europe as well as in Japan, China, Middle East, North Africa, and also the U.S., have a strong preference in dealing with sawmills that produce lumber with flexible European technology.
With log costs also very high in Europe (at least double U.S. log costs), the European sawmilling strategy is to reduce fall-down grades of sawn wood and maximize value from the expensive logs.
To accomplish, all mills first sort and grade their logs through a log merchandising line where logs are scanned and typically sorted by diameter class, grade and length. Many mills have 60 to 80 log sorts; some have 160.
Since the logs are sorted into batches of similar diameter, grade and length, the optimum product and market solutions are matched up to these log sorts to maximize value back to the log.
These log batches are run into fixed setworks in the mill, as since the logs are already pre-sized and graded, there is no need for moving and shifting setworks in log break down equipment as is extensively used in North America.
With fixed setworks and using batched logs, European mills can achieve higher lumber production output per hour, day, week, etc., as compared to North American mills. They can essentially cut any size (thickness and width) of lumber that is being requested based on the sorted log inventory.
Instead of having a 2 to 3 meter (6-9 foot) gap between logs, European mills can have 0.5 meter (1.5 foot) gap that allows for greater linear production per hour. As well, processing pre-graded logs yields very little low grade lumber from every production run, optimizing value.
As a result, European mills are extremely versatile in selling to almost any market in the world since they are not constrained by fixed sawing programs or concerns about fall-down grades.
As well, European sawmilling technology can easily produce square-edged dimension lumber and studs (i.e., home centre grade) and provide specified lengths (like a truckload of 16-foot) since the mill will take orders from the pre-sorted log (diameter, grade and length).
You can with this technology produce lumber to the exact specifications of the customer. And with the lowest sawmilling costs in the world, European lumber is found all over the world, limited only by market price (which is often a constraint due to the much higher European log prices).
This means that not only will a sawmill featuring European–technology equipment located in the U.S. South be very competitive in the U.S. market, it should be very competitive in a number of key export markets.
U.S. South (as well as Canadian SPF) mills have traditionally had restricted export market opportunities due to their inflexible sawmill technology, aside from older headrig mills.
Source: Wood Markets
Thursday, June 04, 2015
SERRA Sawmill model "Afrika XE 160"
Stand 3. Mai 2015 New Ebola suspected case in Germany, African politicians warn: Ebola is not yet defeated, federal government wants to assist Ebola countries Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia to rebuild the infrastructure and health care.
SERRA-Actual:
SERRA Sawmill model „Afrika XE 160“ being exhibited at SERRA Indoor booth in
hall 27
Timber for the United Nations
SERRA-Sawmill technology helps rebuilding in Liberia
Two federal Ministers have visited the crisis region, one year after the outbreak of the Ebola-disease in western Africa. Gerd Müller the German development minister and Hermann Gröhe the federal health minister announced a special program to rebuild the infrastructure and the health services at the most affected countries like Liberia, Sierra Lione and Guinea. Ebola is not defeated yet, even if the number of new cases has significantly declined.
The disease
has especially thrown back Liberia 5 to 10 years, this country has already
suffered in the past because of the civil war. Access to water, electricity,
roads and education is missing. The government of Liberia wanted, already
before the Ebola outbreak, to build a new railway line.
The local forest owner
Sylvester Rogers remembered that already his grandfather delivered railway
sleepers for the government. 9000 hectares of forests were inherited to him.
His application was successful, so he received the major contract as the
supplier for the planned railway sleepers.
And so Roger visited, almost a year before the Ebola outbreak, the worldwide known expert of mobile, stationary and industrial sawmill technology „SERRA“ in Bavaria, Germany. Requirement was a machine able to cut heavy logs like African hard woods as for example Okane or Azobe, also known as Ekki.
And so Roger visited, almost a year before the Ebola outbreak, the worldwide known expert of mobile, stationary and industrial sawmill technology „SERRA“ in Bavaria, Germany. Requirement was a machine able to cut heavy logs like African hard woods as for example Okane or Azobe, also known as Ekki.
A log with about 3 meters length and a diameter of 1.60
meters weighs up to 7 tons. Sylvester Rogers decided at that time to purchase
two sawmills in extremely rugged construction for stationary operation. The
sawmills Africa XE160 were shipped to Liberia and ran up to the Ebola outbreak
every day in multi-shift operation.
With the outbreak of Ebola, SERRA assumed that because of the damaged infrastructure in the country, also the sawing of railway sleepers was stopped. A big surprise was, when it was announced that the customer have established together with their families a camp in the forest. The necessary wood was sawn with SERRA-sawmills, even a school and a church were built next to the living areas.
With the outbreak of Ebola, SERRA assumed that because of the damaged infrastructure in the country, also the sawing of railway sleepers was stopped. A big surprise was, when it was announced that the customer have established together with their families a camp in the forest. The necessary wood was sawn with SERRA-sawmills, even a school and a church were built next to the living areas.
Guards have been prepared, the food was brought into the camp by special
safe ways and who had left the camp once was not allowed to come back.
Meanwhile Roger`s sawmills were the only ones in whole Liberia that still could
produce.
Other companies had to stop because of the Ebola or the difficult to
get license to cut wood. When this became known, Liberia’s government turned
again to Sylvester Rogers, because the United Nations needed to build hospitals
urgently.
The first order for 5.500 cubic meters timber was received and
everything was done to ensure the delivery for the UN. Two other sawmills
Africa XE160 for heavy logs are needed currently. Delivery, installation and
training on site will be done by the SERRA Team, but this is also connected
with contagious risks for the SERRA employees.
Helping people help themselves was proven by SERRA sawmills once again in severe crisis. The company is celebrating its 25th anniversary and delivers it’s mobile, stationary and industrial sawmill technology in 75 countries all around the world. Even after the civil war in Angola it was possible to build, in cooperation with the agency for technical cooperation (GTZ) the German embassy, wooden houses for the return of refugees.
Helping people help themselves was proven by SERRA sawmills once again in severe crisis. The company is celebrating its 25th anniversary and delivers it’s mobile, stationary and industrial sawmill technology in 75 countries all around the world. Even after the civil war in Angola it was possible to build, in cooperation with the agency for technical cooperation (GTZ) the German embassy, wooden houses for the return of refugees.
More
information for SERRA aid projects you can get from CEO Johann Fritz:
Phone:
Tel.: 0171 / 97 19 885
Phone:
Tel.: 0171 / 97 19 885
SERRA
Maschinenbau GmbH
Bahnhofstraße 83
Bahnhofstraße 83
83253
Rimsting
www.serra.de
Film footage
As well as here in Peru, in Liberia are logs with up to 1.60 meters in diameter, processed with a sawmill for strong wood, the SERRA Africa XE 160. A machine for heavy strong hardwood was needed to cut easily African wood species like Okane or Azobe. The density is up to 1.300 kg/m³. A log with for example 3 meters length and a diameter of 1.60 meters weighs up to seven tons. These sawmills are extremely robust and are used stationary in Liberia, as well as in Peru.
www.serra.de
Film footage
As well as here in Peru, in Liberia are logs with up to 1.60 meters in diameter, processed with a sawmill for strong wood, the SERRA Africa XE 160. A machine for heavy strong hardwood was needed to cut easily African wood species like Okane or Azobe. The density is up to 1.300 kg/m³. A log with for example 3 meters length and a diameter of 1.60 meters weighs up to seven tons. These sawmills are extremely robust and are used stationary in Liberia, as well as in Peru.
Liberia 1:
Sylvester Rogers with CEO Johann Fritz in front of the sawmill Africa XE160 for heavy logs.
Sylvester Rogers with CEO Johann Fritz in front of the sawmill Africa XE160 for heavy logs.
Liberia 2:
Timber production in Liberia for the United Nations.
Timber production in Liberia for the United Nations.
Liberia 3:
The density of these logs is up to 1.250kg per cubic meter.
The density of these logs is up to 1.250kg per cubic meter.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Tartak "OLCZYK" Ludwik Olczyk Sawmill, Poland
For a long time OLCZYK Sawmill has been marked as one of the fastest
growing businesses in the woodworking sector in Poland.
It is an unquestionable leader in the production of sawn timber, roof truss system and pine wood products, e.g. glued boards, garden stakes, palisade and pellets.
Having almost 20 years of experience in timber sawing and a deliberate investment strategy, the Polish company "can complete any order meeting the customer’s needs and desires".
Individual approach to every single customer, allowing to meet their needs and expectations, is what they value most. Customer satisfaction based on professional service and tailored offer is of utmost importance to the employees at OLCZYK Sawmill.
At Ligna their message was: "We would like to thank all the regular and future customers for the trust they put in us and our products."
Source: http://en.tartakolczyk.home.pl/stakes-used-in-gardens-and-orchards/
It is an unquestionable leader in the production of sawn timber, roof truss system and pine wood products, e.g. glued boards, garden stakes, palisade and pellets.
Having almost 20 years of experience in timber sawing and a deliberate investment strategy, the Polish company "can complete any order meeting the customer’s needs and desires".
Individual approach to every single customer, allowing to meet their needs and expectations, is what they value most. Customer satisfaction based on professional service and tailored offer is of utmost importance to the employees at OLCZYK Sawmill.
At Ligna their message was: "We would like to thank all the regular and future customers for the trust they put in us and our products."
Source: http://en.tartakolczyk.home.pl/stakes-used-in-gardens-and-orchards/
Friday, May 16, 2008
Pope & Talbot To Shut Three Remaining Pulp Mills - Report / Pulp and Paper Network
I read in Pulp and Paper Network that the Pulp and Paper mills are not out of the trouble zone.
Pope & Talbot To Shut Three Remaining Pulp Mills - Report / Pulp and Paper Network: "VANCOUVER - Insolvent forestry company Pope & Talbot Inc. (PTBT) is preparing to shut its three remaining pulp mills - employing nearly 1,000 workers in British Columbia and Oregon - after creditors declined to extend financing to the bankrupt wood products company, The Canadian Press reported Tuesday.
Mark Rossolo, a spokesman for the Portland, Ore. company, said Tuesday the company began the wind down of the two Canadian mills Monday afternoon after a Canadian bankruptcy court extended the company's bankruptcy protection for only 48 hours to Wednesday. The court provided the short term extension when creditors refused to provide financing to keep the mills alive, while the company seeks a new buyer.
The two British Columbia mills in Nanaimo and Mackenzie employ around 780 people while the Oregon mill at Halsey, south of Portland, had a workforce of 180 in February. The future of all three mills is uncertain after the collapse of a deal last week that would have seen the pulp businesses sold to an Indonesian company. The U.S. company's lumber operations were sold in separate transactions nearly a week ago."
Pope & Talbot To Shut Three Remaining Pulp Mills - Report / Pulp and Paper Network: "VANCOUVER - Insolvent forestry company Pope & Talbot Inc. (PTBT) is preparing to shut its three remaining pulp mills - employing nearly 1,000 workers in British Columbia and Oregon - after creditors declined to extend financing to the bankrupt wood products company, The Canadian Press reported Tuesday.
Mark Rossolo, a spokesman for the Portland, Ore. company, said Tuesday the company began the wind down of the two Canadian mills Monday afternoon after a Canadian bankruptcy court extended the company's bankruptcy protection for only 48 hours to Wednesday. The court provided the short term extension when creditors refused to provide financing to keep the mills alive, while the company seeks a new buyer.
The two British Columbia mills in Nanaimo and Mackenzie employ around 780 people while the Oregon mill at Halsey, south of Portland, had a workforce of 180 in February. The future of all three mills is uncertain after the collapse of a deal last week that would have seen the pulp businesses sold to an Indonesian company. The U.S. company's lumber operations were sold in separate transactions nearly a week ago."
"Pope & Talbot, a 160-year-old Portland-based wood products company, filed for bankruptcy in November after fighting a losing battle with the slumping U.S. housing market, a strengthening Canadian dollar which hurt its exports from B.C. into the United States, and high debt," the report continues.
What are we going to experience in Europe? What will happen to Nordic pulp and paper mills and sawmills?
"The same difficult market conditions have led to the closure of sawmills across Canada by companies squeezed by rising inventory in the wake of slumping demand from the battered American new homebuilding market," Pulp and Paper Networks writes.
The pulp sector has also been hurt by technological changes and a move to Internet publication that have reduced demand for newsprint and other papers.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Profitability of Forestry Industries
The impact of Internet started to affect the consumption of paper from year 2000. Paper consumption has been decreasing. Sawmills are facing other challenges. The US housing market slump is being exported over to Europe. North-American sawmills are exporting more sawn goods with the help of a devalued US dollar.
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