Displaying items by tag: sawmill

Södra confirmed today its decision to invest in a new sawmill in Värö. This project will be expedited through the acquisition of machinery and equipment from the German sawmill company Klausner Group's plant in Adelebsen, Germany. The expansion means that production will almost triple from today's 275 000 m3 to 750 000 m3 per year.

Klausner's plant in Adelebsen has only been in operation for a year and is one of Europe's most modern sawmills. The entire facility will be moved to Värö.

Södra has good faith in its timber supply in Värö and at the same time sees a need and an opportunity to seriously compete with the larger and more productive production units in Central Europe, when compared to those currently existing in Sweden.

- With the investment in Värö, we get a cost effective and flexible mill. This strengthens our competitiveness which is very important both in the timber market and in the raw materials market, said Södra's CEO, Leif Brodén.

- Important reasons for Södra investing in Värö are its proximity to the pulp mill and to a seaport, and the combined advantage in the form of energy, logistics and chips. Besides that, we have common recourses in many areas, said Peter Nilsson, CEO at Södra Timber.

Klausner Group has its roots in Austria and was founded in the early 1900s. Today it is owned by Fritz Klausner. A recent reorganization headed up by Klausner has the business back on track after the global economic recession the business faced in 2008 and 2009. Current operating rates indicate annual production of more than 2 million m3 from the remaining Klausner plants in Germany.

Klausner will be responsible for the relocation and start-up of the plant in Värö.


- We are very pleased with the deal and the cooperation with Klausner will give us unique knowledge about production and logistics for the large mill we are going to build in Värö, said Nilsson.

Klausner and Södra Timber are also announcing their future marketing cooperation in various major markets.

- We are looking forward to the cooperation. Klausner and Södra Timber complement each other and a joint approach to sales and logistics in our main markets will provide value to all stakeholders, including our customers, commented Leopold Stephan, CEO at Klausner Group.

Construction will start in Värö during summer 2010 with production forecast to begin at the new mill during the spring of 2011. Production at the existing sawmill in Värö will not be interrupted during the construction period. By using an existing plant, both construction time and start-up time will be limited.

Södra Timber produces about 1.7 million m3 per year and is one of the leading manufacturers of construction wood in Europe. The company operates 10 sawmills in the south of Sweden and its products are sold primarily to Scandinavia, the Netherlands, U.K. and the U.S.


For further information, please contact:
Peter Nilsson, President Södra Timber,
+46 70 315 09 27

Leif Brodén, CEO Södra Group,
+46 70 558 94 26

Fritz Klausner, Klausner Group,
+43 535 260 21 10

Per Braconier, Director of Communications,
Södra, +46 70 534 51 66

Published in European News
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