Forestry

As a result of long-term cooperation, Hekotek AS has signed a contract for the supply of log feeding equipment, wood chips and sawdust and sawn timber conveyors to the Japanese company Chugoku Mokuzai (Chugoku Lumber Co Ltd.).

Chugoku Mokuzai is one of Japan’s leading wood processing companies with several production units across the country. The new sawmill will be built to replace the production unit destroyed in 2023 by fire in Ibaraki Prefecture on the eastern coast of Japan.

In this new production unit it is planned to saw round logs of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) from North America. The finished sawn timber will be sold by Chugoku Mokuzai mainly on the domestic Japanese market.

The transport capacity of the equipment supplied by Hekotek is expected to be approximately 100 sea containers, the first of which will begin their long sea voyage in the coming months. Production at the new unit is scheduled to begin in early 2027, preceded by an approximately 8-month-long period of installation and testing of the equipment.

The equipment supplied by Hekotek will ensure the feeding of logs at various speeds to the modernmost HewSaw sawline. The entire equipment set supplied by Hekotek is designed and manufactured based on particularly high technological requirements, where the proportion of human labor in the entire production process is minimized.

We would like to thank both the Chugoku Mokuzai project team and our local representative, Oki Kikai Ltd., for their trust and will do everything we can to ensure that the project succeeds as expected.

https://hekotek.ee/equipment-supply-to-leading-japanese-wood-processing-company-chugoku-mokuzai/

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In today’s sawmilling industry, the difference between staying competitive and falling behind often comes down to how intelligently and efficiently a mill can process every log. Fiber variability, labor constraints, cost pressures, and rising customer expectations are reshaping the way sawmills must operate, and Comact is helping lead that transformation.

With its suite of integrated, high-performance technologies — including the Hybrid Sawline and the TBL4 – Canter, Double Profiler, Curve Sawing Gang Edger — Comact delivers a full-spectrum solution that redefines both primary and secondary breakdown. Together, these two systems form a powerful, intelligent, and adaptable foundation for the mill of the future.

Secondary Breakdown Reimagined: The TBL4

Precision, speed, and adaptability come together in Comact’s TBL4, a high-throughput profiler-gang solution built to meet the demanding needs of modern softwood mills. Designed to maximize recovery and reduce processing gaps, the TBL4 features infeed and outfeed positioning tables that maintain continuous cant control throughout the sawing process.

This continuous flow translates directly into higher throughput and greater yield — exactly what mills need in a high-speed environment.

At the core of the system is Comact’s C2-Scan, a powerful real-time optimization tool that calculates the ideal sawing strategy for each cant. Using both geometric and visual data, the optimizer enables infinite profiling and curve sawing, ensuring every piece is processed for maximum value with minimal waste.

With feed speeds of up to 650 feet per minute and a processing range of 3 to 30 inches wide, the TBL4 offers unmatched versatility. Its fixed-tool design ensures reliability and simplified maintenance, while its compact footprint makes it easy to integrate into existing gang lines, minimizing disruption and capital investment.

The TBL4 also integrates seamlessly with Comact’s digital tools, including OPER8, Smart Vision, and EverBlue services, giving mills a comprehensive platform for tracking performance, driving uptime, and ensuring long-term value.

The Hybrid Sawline: Smarter Primary Breakdown

Paired with the TBL4, Comact’s Hybrid Sawline represents a revolutionary approach to primary breakdown. By combining circular saws and bandsaws in a single, unified system, it eliminates the tradeoffs mills have traditionally faced between speed and flexibility.

Circular saws efficiently handle logs up to 20 inches in diameter with high-speed precision and minimal downtime, while bandsaws kick in for larger logs that exceed circular saw capacity. The result is a line that can process a full spectrum of log diameters without compromise, reducing the need for multiple sawlines and associated maintenance complexity.

But the hybrid sawline is more than just a dual-cutting system. Its design supports multiple cutting modes — including double profiling, quadruple circular cutting, and sideboard splitting — allowing mills to produce a wider range of products on a single line. Whether manufacturing standard 2x4s (100×50 mm) or custom wides, mills gain the flexibility to shift production with market demands, without overhauling equipment or layout.

Intelligence That Runs Deep

Both the TBL4 and the Hybrid Sawline are equipped with Comact’s most advanced smart technologies, turning mechanical cutting tools into real-time decision-makers.

The hybrid system features Smart Vision for log singulation, an AI-powered platform that analyzes each log’s size, shape, and characteristics to optimize feeding and spacing. By dynamically managing log gaps and flow, it maintains consistent production speeds and eliminates bottlenecks, even with irregular fiber supply. This smart control is further enhanced by the C1-Scan, Comact’s primary breakdown optimizer, which determines the best cutting strategy for each log to maximize value from the start.

It also integrates the Primary Breakdown Closed Loop Smart Tool, which automates real-time quality control. Drawing data from the mill’s secondary breakdown scanner, this tool makes precise adjustments during the sawing process to ensure consistent, high-value cuts. With industry-leading response time and dashboard-based alerts, it boosts recovery while reducing operator workload and saw variation allowances.

In the TBL4, the C2-Scan optimizer brings that same level of real-time intelligence to cants. Combined with OPER8TM, this enables mills to visualize production data, track performance metrics, and make smarter operational decisions across the board.

A Cohesive Mill Architecture

What truly makes this combination stand out is how seamlessly each stage connects to the next. Logs enter the hybrid sawline, where they’re processed at optimal speeds using the best-suited cutting method. Cants then transition to the TBL4, where they’re scanned, optimized, and profiled with precision. Downstream, the Curve-Saw Versa Gang takes over, offering accurate curve sawing and adjustable width configurations to extract maximum value from every piece. From breakdown to final gang processing, Comact provides a fully integrated and optimized flow.

The benefits are clear:

• Fewer bottlenecks
• Higher fiber recovery
• Faster product changeovers
• Lower downtime and maintenance costs
• Real-time optimization across every step

And because both systems are modular, digital-ready, and scalable, mills can future-proof their investments while adapting to evolving fiber availability, product demands, and labor realities.

Conclusion: More Than the Sum of Its Parts

Comact’s TBL4 and Hybrid Sawline are more than advanced machines, they are complementary pieces of a next-generation mill architecture that delivers measurable results. When combined, they offer a clear path forward for sawmills looking to increase efficiency, yield, and agility in an increasingly complex industry.

With cutting-edge mechanics, powerful optimization software, and deep integration from log intake to board output, Comact is helping mills unlock the full potential of their raw material and their operations.

To read previous Comact related posts click here.

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Trusted technology with a twist

For the first time in many years, an industrial scale sawmill will be built from the ground up in the UK. USNR is the main supplier and its undertaking comprises the saw line and two edger lines – including optimization and controls. All machinery equipment will be delivered from USNR’s Söderhamn facility in Sweden. USNR will also supply controls for the log handling and residue handling equipment.

The new mill is designed for an annual capacity of more than 250,000 m3 of sawn goods. The Taylormade sawmill at Sherburn Hill, a few miles to the east of Durham, came under the ownership of James Jones & Sons when the company acquired GT Timber Ltd in 2021. The mill, built at the site of an old coal mine, was worn but the geographical location was ideal, so it was decided to build a new mill adjacent to the existing one.

USNR got involved at an early stage of the design work. Marcus Säteri, Senior Project Engineer at USNR, recalls the initial process, “We acted as a speaking partner for the customer long before the deal was settled. There was a lot of things that we had to take into account. The site is located on quite a steep slope and there’s a neighboring village overlooking the mill, so we didn’t want to obscure their view with high buildings. Eventually we honed out a solution where the slope worked to our benefit.”

Experience and optimization

The saw line is designed for maximum yield, using the latest optimization technology and curve sawing capabilities. James Jones & Sons has extensive experience with USNR’s bandsaw technology and continues to follow this path for the new project. Tobbe Sandberg, Technical manager at James Jones & Sons, “James Jones & Sons acquired the Durham mill in 2021 and shortly after the acquisition the decision was made to invest in a new sawmill to increase yield, efficiency and extend the product range. We decided to invest in bandsaw technology and with James Jones & Sons’ previous experience with Soderhamn Eriksson/ USNR it was an easy decision to continue the partnership with USNR. From design through to specifications, we have received excellent support from the USNR team in Sweden. Ground and building work is progressing

well, and we start machine installation in August this year [2025] with the mill due to be commissioned in 2026.

Proven solutions

The mill-to-be is designed with James Jones & Sons’ Lockerbie III production line in mind, but with all the new technology that USNR has developed since 2009 when the Lockerbie site was commissioned by Söderhamn Eriksson (now part of USNR). Precision Geometric Log Rotation (PGLR) is one example of the new technology implemented. It continuously monitors and corrects the rotation angle in the Log Turner 750E. To meet the customer’s demands of a modern mill, the Taylormade saw line will deliver more throughput and higher recovery with higher precision compared to its model.

Thirteen bands

Three Sawmaster 1600 quads and an HBS 1500 horizontal bandsaw constitute the core of the saw line, adding up to a total of 13 bandsaw units. The Sawmaster bandsaws are known for their durability, low energy consumption and low maintenance costs. This proven design serves in hundreds of sawmills all over the world. The horizontal bandsaw adds flexibility to the line and allows for an output of ten pieces from the last quad.

The Sawmaster bandsaws all feature the high-precision feed work technology originally designed for the Logmaster high-speed bandsaw. The HBS has also evolved in later years, with a more stable and precise positioning and a high-precision feed work. A great deal of focus is put on the working environment in this line. The three quad bandsaws and both chipper canters are fitted with extra thick protective covers to reduce noise and dust.

Saw monitoring

The bandsaws are equipped with BMS, Bandsaw Monitoring System, for real-time monitoring of the status and the longitudinal position of the bands. BMS detects cracks in the bands before they grow and cause band rupture. The saws also come with SawSight, USNR’s system for continuous in-line measuring and correction of the sawn goods.

The edge

Two Catech XT high-speed edger optimizers handle the side boards. These state-of-the-art edgers are fitted with the latest USNR optimization technology combined with the highest capacity the market has to offer. Both edgers are equipped with additional edger saw boxes to maximize recovery and flexibility.

USNR is honored to be part of this exciting opportunity.

Photo

Left to right: Tobbe Sandberg, Technical Manager,  James Jones & Sons Ltd.;

Eddie Balfour, Joint Managing Director, James Jones & Sons Ltd.;

Christian Winlöf, Sales and Marketing Director, USNR;

Sten Jarle Solheim, Account Manager, USNR

June July issue Pages  36 / 37

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/70622971/ifi-june-july-2025-digital-final

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June July 2025 issue now available


Includes

Forwarders
Ponsse / Rottne / Komatsu

Cable Yarders
MM-FORSTTECHNIK GmbH
SYNCROFALKE® Cable Yarders: Revolutionizing Timber Harvesting in Steep Terrain

SAWLINES

USNR
For the first time in many years, an
industrial scale sawmill will be built from
the ground up in the UK

COMACT
AI-Powered Gap Control: How the
Smart Vision System Is Redefining
Log Singulation

SPRINGER
SAWBOX: A Compact, Fully Automated
Sawmill for the Future

MiCROTEC
Woodeye: AHF Products & Automation
that Works

DELTA MOTION
Vaagen Brothers Lumber, Inc. Upgrades
Motion Control for Improved Lumber Stacking

IFI June July 2025 Digital final
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/70622971/ifi-june-july-2025-digital-final

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Portland, OR – June 24, 2025 – Yesterday, Hampton Lumber announced plans to build a new,  state-of-the-art sawmill in Allendale County, South Carolina. This facility will expand Hampton’s presence in the U.S. and support the company’s long-term vision to become North America’s
preferred source of wood solutions. The new mill will specialize in producing high-quality Southern Yellow Pine framing lumber. This will be the company’s first new sawmill on the East Coast and once fully operational, will provide 125-140 new jobs in the area.

“Hampton Lumber’s new operation in Allendale County will be a notable addition to our state’s forestry industry, while also providing opportunities for our people and contributing to the local economy,” said South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster. “We are proud the company recognized South Carolina as the ideal home for its first East Coast mill and look forward to
supporting its success in our state.”

Hampton Lumber is committed to operating one of the most efficient dimension lumber mills ithe region. The facility will help meet the growing demand for housing materials while creating high-quality jobs and fostering long-term economic growth in the area.

“The enthusiastic, heartfelt support from the state and local community helped us come to the conclusion that this is the right location,” said Hampton Lumber CEO, Randy Schillinger. “We look forward to building partnerships in the area and supporting the communities of Allendale
County.”

Hampton Lumber brings over 80 years of experience in the sawmill business to this new venture. A fourth-generation, family-owned company, Hampton currently operates nine sawmills in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The new mill will complement these existing
operations and help the company diversify its product offerings.

“Our deep roots in the Pacific Northwest have shaped our values of integrity, sustainability, and community engagement—principles that will guide how we operate in Allendale County,” said Schillinger.

Construction of the mill is expected to begin later this year, with operations slated to commence in early 2027.

“We’re excited to be part of the community,” Schillinger added. “The area is home to a healthy wood products industry and there is ample, high-quality timber available to support this new mill for years to come. We are exceedingly grateful to the state of South Carolina, and the county
and community partners who helped make this project possible.”

About Hampton Lumber
Hampton Lumber is a fourth-generation, family-owned company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. With over 80 years in the sawmill business, Hampton operates sawmills in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia and markets wood products all over the world. Hampton also
manages a wholesale and lumber export division and numerous reload, remanufacturing and advanced wood manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. through affiliates, Idaho Timber and RedBuilt. All of Hampton’s forestlands are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), an independent, non-profit organization that promotes sustainable forest management.

SFI certified forests play an important role in water conservation, wildlife habitat, and climate
solutions.

Contact: Kristin Rasmussen
Director of Public Affairs & Communications
KristinRasmussen@HamptonLumber.com

HAMPTON LUMBER
9600 SW Barnes Road, Suite 200 – Portland, Oregon 97225
Tel. 503-297-7691 | www.hamptonlumber.com

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Springers team is already in full production of the machines for the customer. Starting in July this year, the system will be fully pre-commissioned at our headquarters in Friesach. The tested system is scheduled for delivery to the customer site (south of Austria) at the end of 2025.

The system will be equipped with a Robotic Sorting Line for the fully automatic and combined sorting of green and dry sawn timber with robots. The system is designed for a cutting volume of appr. 15,000 cubic metres of logs per shift and year (30.000 in two shifts). Power consumption is less than 500 kWh (!) .

The Sawbox can process logs up to 100 cm in diameter. Main type of processed wood is spruce, pine and larch. The dry sorting module is equipped with a modern cross-cut saw, moisture measurement and high-end quality board-scanners.

This innovative sawmill needs just 1.500 square meters, is equipped with robots and can be operated by just one (!) single operator.

A very big thank you to our great partners for making this innovation possible says Manuel Manuel Seiß CFO / CDO bei SPRINGER Maschinenfabrik GmbH

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The Einari Award, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation’s key recognition, was granted to forest machine contractor Simo Kuittinen. Through Koneurakointi S. Kuittinen Oy, a company he founded, Kuittinen has extensive practical expertise in various business areas, ranging from the use and servicing of machines to administrative work. In association activities, Kuittinen has acted as the chairman of the Federation of Machine Entrepreneurs and is an honorary member of the Association.

Simo Kuittinen and his company have influenced the development of the entire Finnish timber harvesting industry in many ways. Kuittinen has, among other things, contributed to the creation of the regional contracting model. When it comes to domestic logging, Kuittinen has passionately developed harvesting on islands.

Kuittinen grew up working in the forest after helping his father already as a 12-year-old boy. From the age of 15, he started operating a forest machine full-time, and his career in forestry began in 1974 only at the age of 18. The Einari Vidgrén Foundation awards Simo Kuittinen for over 50 years of entrepreneurship in forest work.

In addition to the Einari Award, awards were given in five different categories:
lifetime achievement awards, special recognition awards, Global CTL, operator awards, and student scholarships.

Lifetime achievement awards

Lifetime achievement awards were given to two long-term forestry professionals.

Jorma Piilola from Parkano started as a tractor contractor and shifted to full-time forest machine contracting in 1974. Entrepreneurship that has continued uninterrupted for more than 50 years still continues at the age of 76. Piilola’s work has always been of a high quality, which has been recognised for the last four years in succession with the Metsähallitus quality award. During his long entrepreneurial career, Piilola has also guided and trained several people who have entered the forest machine industry, and many who learned from him are still working in the sector.

Jussi Kumpula has had a uniquely long career in Metsähallitus since the late 1980s. Kumpula has successfully led Metsähallitus’ operations and wood deliveries in challenging conditions since 2011. He has been able to take biodiversity and environmental challenges into account in his work as part of the development of timber harvesting and forest management. In his role, Kumpula has succeeded in acting in good spirit with various actors in the forest sector.

“The two long careers have seen many changes and upheavals in the industry. Both of the awardees have worked meritoriously in a challenging operating environment, and we wanted to show our appreciation for their high-quality work,” says Juha Vidgren.

Special recognition awards

The foundation issues annual special recognition awards to people involved in mechanised harvesting research and development, industry education development, and those who have increased awareness of and recognition for the industry. This year’s awards were given to nine associations and individuals.

“We wanted to reward associations and people that raise awareness of the forest industry and rural professions among children and young people. We also wanted to highlight the role of women as forestry specialists,” says Juha Vidgren.

Rural Professions Association
4H Finland
Mikko Riikilä, journalist, Metsälehti
Joonas Hyypiä, Foreman, Luukolmio Oy
Forestry Museum of Lapland
Wahlers forest machinery training for women, Germany
Trees for Tomorrow, Wisconsin, USA
Teacher Urho Hakkarainen, Savo Vocational College
Teacher Pekka Hulkkonen, Etelä-Savon Koulutus Oy
Global CTL

For promoting the international Cut-To-Length method, the Foundation gave three awards:

Finnharvest, Kuopio
Snowske Higher Vocational School of Forestry, Ukraine
University of Idaho

“The Foundation wanted to reward those who work to promote the CTL method in various ways. Finnharvest has been able to demonstrate the scalability of the CTL method globally in Swedish, German and US market as well as its financial profitability and efficiency. It’s also a pleasure to see that CTL training has increased across the world, and the benefits of the method are learned already at a young age. In particular, I would raise the need of the Ukrainian Forest Machinery School to invest in training in a particularly challenging situation,” says Juha Vidgren.

Einari Operator’s Awards

The award criteria for operator awards include customer-driven, high-quality work, an unrelenting attitude when it comes to the quality of work, and good cooperation and communication with forest owners and other stakeholders. Einari had a clear idea for the award criteria: those operators whose quality of work is high and have a good attitude with good customer service skills have earned their awards. This year, the Einari Vidgrén Foundation gave 38 Einari Operator’s awards for high-quality work.

Tero Kinnunen and Sami Laulainen – Metsäkonepalvelu Oy
Antti Suonttajärvi and Jouni Ketola – Moto Team Tauriainen Oy
Teijo Lehto and Sauli Junnila – Metsäkone Pirinen Oy

Jari Liuska and Marko Kärkkäinen – Koneurakointi S. Kuittinen Oy

Ari Jurvainen and Teemu Matilainen – Veljekset Hokkanen Oy

Petri Kuokkanen and Asser Kuittinen – Motoajo

Mikael Kälkäjä and Mikko Viuhkola – Konetyö Viuhkola ja Kautto Oy

Aleksi Tenninlä and Hannu Tennilä – A&L Harju Oy

Jouni Nyman and Jarkko Meriläinen – Honkaperä Forest Oy

Jari Nenonen and Janne Nenonen – Metsä-Multia Oy
Eetu Lihavainen and Mika Pekkinen – Metsäkoneurakointi Toropainen Oy

Ari Kallio and Joonas Uusitalo – M. Uusitalo Oy
Juho Kasanen and Jari Reinikainen – Koneteko Pitkänen Oy
Juha Hiltunen and Pertti Rytkönen – Metsäkuljetus Hyväriset Oy
Jussi Myllyvirta and Olli Poikolainen – Varis Forest Oy

Harri Häkkinen and Pekka Kauppinen – Keski-Suomen MetsäKymppi Oy

Pavel Melentjev and Paul Räisänen – Motourakointi J. Pikkarainen Oy

Markus Mustiala and Mika Kokkola – Jameko Oy

Mikko Pennanen and Seppo Tiainen – Veljekset Mustonen Oy

Einari Scholarships

Student scholarships are awarded to forest industry students who have performed well in their studies. The Foundation gave student scholarships to 39 forest industry students. The scholarships were given to the students at the end of the term.

Etelä-Savon Koulutus Oy, Pieksämäki – Veikko Takkinen and Samu Savolainen
Yrkesakademin i Österbotten – Benjamin Sten and Emil Lall

South Savo Vocational College, ESEDU, Salosaari, Mikkeli – Jami Niemelä and Sami Saima

Oulu Vocational College, Taivalkoski  – Petrus Soronen and Ilari Nissi

Educational Consortium OSAO, Muhos – Johannes Itälahti and Jaako Ala-Aho

Tampere Vocational College Tredu, Kuru – Teemu Vesamäki and Jesse Savolainen

TTS Työtehoseura – Tiia Pessi and Joni Salonen

Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy WinNova – Roope Rastio and Aleksi Vuorinen

Riveria, Valtimo – Iivari Kärki and Saija Sumiloff

Gradia Jämsä – Jose-Lucas Vasama and Esa Simonen

Seinäjoki Joint Municipal Authority for Education Sedu, Ähtäri – Anssi Krohonen and Roni Sihtola

Federation of Education in Central Ostrobothnia – Eeli Huhtala and Ville Pastel

Lapland Vocational College REDU, Rovaniemi – Atte Montonen and Essi Kostamovaara

Vocational Education Institute of Northern Central Finland, Uurainen – Sami Lupsakko and Veeti Manninen

Häme Vocational Institute EVO – Jose Kangas and Vilho Toukovalkama

Savo Vocational College – Lauri Tuomainen and Iisakki Niemelä

Saimaa Vocational College, Ruokolahti – Lassi Partanen and Pia Ranta

Keski-Uusimaa Joint Municipal Authority for Education / KEUDA – Venny Koskelainen and Vili Markkanen

Samiedu Vocational College – Kalle Pietarinen and Aleksi Sallinen

Livia College (Peimari education municipality association) – Jussi Selenius

Vieremä, 3 June 2025

Einari Vidgrén Foundation
Juha Vidgren, Chair

Further information: Juha Vidgren, +358 40 518 6286, juha.vidgren@ponsse.com

Founded in 2005 by Einari Vidgrén, founder of Ponsse Plc, the foundation aims to increase the appreciation of work in the mechanical logging sector and work in the forest sector in accordance with responsible and sustainable development. The Foundation wants to develop the awareness of entrepreneurship related to mechanical harvesting and increase the attractiveness of mechanical harvesting as an employer, especially among young people.

 To read previous Ponsse posts click here.

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The post The Einari Vidgrén Foundation rewarded merited forestry professionals for the 20th time at the award ceremony held in Rientola in Vieremä on 3 June. The awards totalled EUR 180,000.P appeared first on International Forest Industries.

ECAT – EtherCAT MainDevice with Redundancy Port

The ECAT module provides EtherCAT MainDevice functionality, allowing control of electric motor drives and communication with other EtherCAT subordinate devices such as sensors and actuators. With two RJ-45 ports,
the ECAT module supports cable redundancy.

The RMC200 supports position, velocity, pressure, force and torque control, and single and dual-loop axes via EtherCAT.

Axes may be defined with output and feedback in any combination of EtherCAT data or directly connected sensors
or actuators. The RMC200 EtherCAT supports CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) CiA402 drive profiles and CiA408 valve profiles.


Ports 2 ports:
ECAT1: Main port
ECAT2: Redundancy port

Supported
Topologies Linear, ring and star

Hardware
Interface IEEE 802.3 for 100BASE-T (twisted pair)

Data Rate 100 Mbps

Duplex Full Duplex

Features Auto-negotiation, Auto-crossover (MDI/MDI-X)

Connectors RJ-45 (2)

Cable CAT5, CAT5e or CAT6, UTP or STP

Cycle Times250 µs minimum

Distributed Clock Subordinate devices that support
DC on the network are synchronized
with the motion loop of the
RMC200

The post NEW! Delta Motion RMC200 Motion Controller Communication Modules appeared first on International Forest Industries.

USNR – Thank you to everyone who attended the weekend’s West Coast Dry Kiln Association meeting at Rosboro in Springfield, OR!

The event drew a sizeable crowd and included an exclusive tour of the mill’s recently converted dry kilns. USNR turned four of their existing double-track kilns into their patented UniFlow continuous kilns. Because of this, they have been able to increase production by 10-40% with more consistent steam use.

USNR have issued a big thank you to the West Coast Dry Kiln Association for hosting and to Rosboro Company LLC for the use of their facilities.

If you’re interested in learning more about USNR’s UniFlow continuous kiln, contact a USNR representative today!

https://lnkd.in/gHVn8vWn

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Holmen will reduce its output by 90,000 m3 at its sawmill in Braviken, Sweden reports Pulp and Paper news.  As a consquence, the company will reduce its staff by 40 positions. That’s a third of the workforce.

Of course, it’s really sad and a great shame, this is not at all what we would like to do, says Johan Padel, business area manager at Holmen Trävaror, to Norrköpings Tidningar.

The sawmill is struggling with profitability problems. According to Padel, there are two reasons why the profitability calculation does not add up: the American tariffs and reduced access to timber from the surrounding area at a competitive cost.

To adapt to this new situation, the sawmill must reduce production volume, from 450,000 cubic meters to 360,000 cubic meters of sawn timber.

According to Johan Padel, the notice was expected.

Holmen’s paper mill in Braviken will not affected by the notice.

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–          Climate change demands the development of optimally adapted forest stands.

–          Active forest management delivers real added value to society.

–          The use of state-of-the-art technology accelerates the sustainable reforestation of large areas.

Hanover, Germany. The supply of wood as a raw material is of central importance to the global woodworking and wood processing industry, which will gather at LIGNA 2025 in Hanover from May 26 to 30. Reflecting this, the forestry section of the world’s leading trade fair will showcase all aspects of optimized timber harvesting methods. Modern large-scale forestry equipment, mobile sawmills, smart logistics, and safe transport – as technical pioneers for the material and energy use of wood – will be in focus, alongside the critical efforts to preserve forests as a sustainable source of raw materials for future generations and to prepare them for future challenges. As a platform for the digitalization of process chains in the forestry and timber industry, LIGNA 2025 also opens up access to new growth markets.

The focus is on people

“The various types of forest damage in recent years have left large areas that now need to be replanted,” says Stephanie Wagner, Head of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe. “At LIGNA, exhibitors will showcase how to develop forest stands that are better adapted to local conditions and the changing climate, and how to secure the future supply of renewable, climate-friendly wood for the industry – with sustainably operating forest managers increasingly using wood as a resource-efficient raw material. People are at the heart of all these efforts. This includes ensuring optimal and, above all, safe working conditions, as well as honoring the special relationship people have shared with forests for centuries,” Wagner adds.

Pavilions 33 and 35: The central point of contact at LIGNA

Traditionally, pavilions 33 and 35 in the outdoor area under the Expo roof serve as the central meeting point at LIGNA 2025. This is where all the key players who bring the forestry exhibition area to life are located. In Pavilion 33, exhibitors include the Forestry Training Center of the Lower Saxony State Forests (NFBz), the Association of Forestry Contractors AfL Niedersachsen e.V., the German Forest Contractors Association (DFUV), the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG), the 3N Competence Center for Renewable Resources and Bioeconomy (3N e.V.), the German Forestry Council, the Lower Saxony Forest Owners Association, PEFC – the world’s largest independent certification system for sustainable forestry – and the Lower Saxony State Forests (NLF). As the host in Pavilion 35, Wald und Holz NRW presents a wide range of topics, featuring participants such as the startup TechTinyHouse from Detmold, Aachen University of Applied Sciences and the Aachen Center for Wood Construction Research, Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (TH OWL), and the University of Siegen.

Use of technology is necessary and sensible

This year, Pavilion 33, the “Forestry Pavilion”, is dedicated to the theme “People – Technology – Raw Materials”. “We want to make it clear that people’s needs, which can be very well aligned with nature, come first,” says Dr. Maurice Strunk, Federal Managing Director of the German Forest Contractors Association (DFUV) and Managing Director of AfL Niedersachsen e.V. “Our forests will inevitably change in the face of climate change. Through active forest management, we can positively support these processes and create real added value for society. At the same time, it is crucial to make forest work safer, as dozens of people still lose their lives every year. The use of technology is both necessary and sensible – helping to minimize risks on one hand and enabling us to meet the enormous challenge of reforesting large areas on the other,” Strunk explains. The forestry scientist and his colleagues are committed to ensuring that future generations can rely on a sustainably produced, ecologically valuable, and climate-friendly raw material. “We will be setting the course for this in the coming years. The title ‘People – Technology – Raw Materials’ of the Forestry Pavilion reflects all of these challenges,” Strunk concludes.

Three strong partners for the future of forestry

NFBz, AfL, and SVLFG are jointly organizing the Forestry Pavilion. The NFBz (Forestry Training Center of the Lower Saxony State Forests) is responsible for the inter-company training of young people in the forestry profession as well as for advanced training to become master foresters. It also develops new working methods for sustainable forest management. AfL Niedersachsen represents forestry service companies, a professional group that not only carries out around 80 percent of timber harvesting across Germany but also handles the majority of planting and maintenance work in forests on behalf of forest owners. “As a practical partner in Pavilion 33, AfL Niedersachsen aims to engage in dialogue with political representatives at LIGNA 2025 to provide information about the industry’s demands and the necessary steps to ensure forests are well equipped for the future,” says Strunk. Finally, SVLFG acts as the employers’ liability insurance association for private service companies and also provides social insurance for private forest owners, working to make forest workplaces safer – particularly through its extensive prevention efforts.

Remote-controlled wedges and cooling clothing protect forestry workers

In Pavilion 33, visitors to LIGNA 2025 will learn all about the latest developments in the safe felling of damaged trees, especially deciduous trees such as beech. New working methods and techniques for greater protection of forestry workers will be presented, such as remote-controlled wedges, which are used to bring prepared trees to the ground from a distance and thus very safely using chainsaws and felling cuts. “This is because the greatest risk in forestry work comes from branches breaking off while the tree is falling,” explains Strunk. As a lot of work will be required in open areas in the forest in the coming years to plant young trees, keep them free of grass and brambles and maintain young forest stands, the focus will also be on sun protection. “Skin cancer is one of the most common occupational diseases in forestry and is promoted by planting and maintenance measures in open areas, which will now occur even more frequently after the calamities,” explains Strunk and adds: ”The SVLFG will raise awareness of the issue and offer solutions to increase skin protection. Cooling clothing is also an option to make working in open spaces in the forest more bearable. So far, such innovative clothing is hardly widespread in forestry.”

Current methods for stand establishment

The NFBz Münchehof provides information through illustrative demonstrations and films about current methods for stand establishment, as well as young growth and cultivation care using battery technology. In forestry, stand establishment refers to the planting of new tree stands on bare forest land and open areas. Since young trees are particularly vulnerable to high competition from grasses, brambles, and ferns in their early years, clearing these competing plants is essential. Later, it becomes necessary to regulate the composition of tree mixtures by selectively removing individual specimens. This ensures that no single tree species dominates, that particularly vigorous plants maintain good growing conditions, and that a healthy mixture of different tree species develops.

This important work is increasingly being carried out with battery-powered tools instead of petrol-driven machines, and entirely new methods have also been developed. For example, the laborious task of planting with spades is now partly eased through the use of battery-powered drills. However, setting up the necessary charging infrastructure for lithium-ion batteries, along with their storage and transportation, poses new challenges. Batteries present a risk of lithium fires, which are difficult to extinguish. Therefore, occupational health and safety must always be a key consideration when introducing new work processes involving battery technology.

Solutions for the circular use of wood as a raw material

Just a few meters away, in Pavilion 35, the Centre for Forestry and the Wood Industry of Wald und Holz NRW, together with the partners of the NRW joint pavilion, will present current research results on the use of new hardwoods and softwoods, innovative timber construction products and systems, as well as solutions for the circular use of wood as a raw material. This will be showcased in the context of a sustainable, forest-based bioeconomy under the guiding theme: “New Raw Material Basis Wood – Transformation of the Forestry and Wood Cluster in NRW.”

“We are looking forward to exchanging ideas with industry players on the changing raw material basis of wood and new wood applications at LIGNA 2025,” says Dr. Stefanie Wieland of Wald und Holz NRW, Centre for Forestry and the Timber Industry. She also highlights other key topics such as the digitalization of forestry and timber industry process chains, the dry storage of spruce calamity wood, and the use of modern wood heating in combination with other renewable energy sources.

New timber construction systems and wood applications

Pavilion 35 will also showcase new timber construction systems and wood applications, such as the use of birch supporting structures for mobile living concepts, new hardwood and hybrid supporting structures for multi-storey timber construction, and the use of wood in alternative tool technologies. These innovations will be presented through corresponding mock-ups and machine concepts.

Another focus will be on material-saving and resource-efficient timber construction products. The practical demonstration “From Tree to Wood Product” under the EXPO roof in front of the NRW pavilion will illustrate the technological properties and potential uses of “new deciduous and coniferous tree species in a changing climate”, including birch, red oak, sweet chestnut, and various types of fir.

Special show “Follow the Timber” in Pavilion 35

Current and future technologies for tracking and tracing raw timber along the supply chain – “from the standing tree to the factory entrance” – will be presented by the Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik (KWF) and its project partners in Pavilion 35. “Traceability means recording all the processes that a raw material undergoes during its provision,” explains project manager Alexander Kaulen from the KWF. He adds: “In forestry, traceability serves to verify the legal origin of raw wood from sustainable and climate-positive forestry practices, while also optimizing processes from a business management perspective. Technically, this involves tracing the path of the raw wood from the standing tree to the factory entrance.”

With the special show “Follow the Timber”, the KWF will showcase historical, current, and innovative forestry technologies for tracking the flow of raw timber. The digital infrastructure needed for future implementation will be presented through three demonstrators: Timber Supply, Digital Marketplace, and Data Trustee. Visitors can also look forward to live demonstrations, guided tours, lectures, a video arena, and various exhibits.

Current topics discussed at the NRW stage

The NRW Stage in Pavilion 35 will serve as an ideal platform for the exchange and discussion of current topics among players across the forestry and wood value chain. Visitors can experience discussions with decision-makers from the EU Parliament and industry representatives on the forestry and wood sector’s contribution to a sustainable economic and climate policy in Europe.

Also featured are presentations on circular strategies for the wood industry and mechanical engineering, as well as the EFI Bioregions Forum highlighting current start-up initiatives from across European regions. Other highlights of the NRW Stage include the Forest Owners’ Day and the presentation of recommendations and proposed measures for the transformation of the forestry and timber industry in NRW.

Festive award ceremony and thrilling forwarder championships

On LIGNA-Wednesday, the Qualifizierungsfonds-Forstwirtschaft e.V. will present the “Hans-Jürgen-Narjes Prize” during a festive forestry evening in Pavilion 33. The award will be given to a person, announced shortly before LIGNA, who has made outstanding contributions to training and further education in private forestry service companies. Following the award ceremony, Deutsche Messe AG, together with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft forstwirtschaftlicher Lohnunternehmer (AfL) Niedersachsen e.V. and the Deutscher Forstunternehmer-Verband (DFUV), cordially invites attendees to a networking event offering an excellent opportunity for socializing and professional exchange. “Another highlight for AfL Niedersachsen is the Forwarder Championship, a professional competition taking place on Ascension Day on the open-air grounds east of Pavilion 33,” announces Maurice Strunk. AfL Niedersachsen has been organizing forwarder championships at LIGNA for 30 years. On competition day, more than a dozen drivers from across Germany will compete against one another. “They must master two disciplines using large forestry machines, known as forwarders,” explains Strunk. “In addition to speed, a high degree of precision is essential. Only the best performers in each discipline will advance to the next round, culminating in the final to determine the overall winner.” The competition starts early in the morning and will conclude with the award ceremony at approximately 4:00 p.m.

About LIGNA

The world’s leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry is jointly organized by Deutsche Messe and VDMA Woodworking Machinery in Hannover, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. It showcases the entire range of products and services for the primary and secondary industries – tools, machines and systems for custom and mass production, surface technology, wood-based panel production, sawmill technology, energy from wood, machine components and automation technology, as well as machines and systems for forestry. Further information on LIGNA is available at www.ligna.de

Number of characters (including spaces): 14,581

Your contact for further information:

Silke Gathmann

Tel.: +49 511 89 31027

E-mail: silke.gathmann@messe.de

You’ll find additional press releases and photos at https://www.ligna.de/en/press/

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Sincerely

The post Vital forests as guarantors of climate-friendly wood: The forestry industry leads LIGNA 2025 visitors on new paths toward greater resource efficiency appeared first on International Forest Industries.

Springers team is already in full production of the machines for the customer. Starting in July this year, the system will be fully pre-commissioned at our headquarters in Friesach. The tested system is scheduled for delivery to the customer site (south of Austria) at the end of 2025.

The system will be equipped with a Robotic Sorting Line for the fully automatic and combined sorting of green and dry sawn timber with robots. The system is designed for a cutting volume of appr. 15,000 cubic metres of logs per shift and year (30.000 in two shifts). Power consumption is less than 500 kWh (!) . The Sawbox can process logs up to 100 cm in diameter. Main type of processed wood is spruce, pine and larch. The dry sorting module is equipped with a modern cross-cut saw, moisture measurement and high-end quality board-scanners

This innovative sawmill needs just 1.500 square meters, is equipped with robots and can be operated by just one (!) single operator.

A very big thank you to our great partners for making this innovation possible says Manuel Manuel Seiß CFO / CDO bei SPRINGER Maschinenfabrik GmbH

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Milan, 17 April 2025 – Clessidra Private Equity SGR – one of the largest Italian private equity firms focused on the upper-mid market and part of Clessidra Group, a leading alternative investment operator in Italy – announced the acquisition of MiCROTEC, a leading player in wood and food scanning solutions, from the Austrian GSS GmbH. Federico Giudiceandrea, founder and Chairman at MiCROTEC, will retain his stake in the company and continue his crucial involvement in the company’s R&D strategy, shepherding the business through its next wave of innovation.

Since its foundation, MiCROTEC has secured its competitive edge thanks to a complete in-house development – conducted by a skilled team composed of more than 150 engineers – of all relevant key components and software solutions. Today, MiCROTEC is able to offer integrated scanning solutions for both the wood processing and the food quality control markets. The company’s flagship product, with integrated computerised tomography technology, is unique in the market and its technology was recently in the spotlight thanks to its precious contribution in the identification of the most suitable oak trees required to rebuild the spire of the medieval Catholic Paris-based church Notre Dame. MiCROTEC’s technology allowed the foresters to make informed decisions and guide the selection process with precision without wasting any trees.

Over last decade, MiCROTEC’s expansion was pushed by the European core market, the ramp up of the Northern American market and the addition of the service business. Globally, machine vision solutions continue to grow significantly across a series of end markets as clients tend to invest robustly in such solutions to improve their production processes and to achieve higher levels of efficiency, yield and quality.

MiCROTEC has established long-standing relationships with global top-tier sawmills and food players, and the business is well-positioned to continue its attractive historical growth trend recording today around Euro 100 million of revenues, with around 95% in exports.

MiCROTEC, headquartered in Brixen (Italy), has direct presence in Italy, Northern America, Sweden, Finland and Germany and employs approximately 450 people across the world.

The investment in MiCROTEC represents the seventh transaction of Clessidra Capital Partners 4 and will support management’s ambitious growth plans building upon MiCROTEC’s strong momentum.

Alongside Clessidra, other investors in the transaction include: Italmobiliare, ISA-Istituto Atesino di Sviluppo, Botzen Invest Euregio Finance, 035 Investimenti, BNP Paribas BNL Equity Investments, and Narval Investimenti.

As part of the transaction, Federico Giudiceandrea will reinvest in the business, and remains instrumental, along with key senior managers, CEO Frank Jöst and CSO Arianna Giudiceandrea, in ensuring continuity for the company’s next phase of growth.

Clessidra’s investment team was coordinated by Rebecka Swenson, Managing Director and included Davide Roveda, Investment Director, Leonardo Biemmi, Associate and Luca Vallini, Analyst.

“We founded, in 1980, a company that has evolved into an international leader in its space. We are very pleased to partner with Clessidra, whom we believe will accelerate MiCROTEC’s global expansion and segment diversification,” said Federico Giudiceandrea, Chairman at MiCROTEC. “Clessidra appreciates our uncompromising commitment to innovation and excellence to keep our company at the utmost forefront in the machine vision industry, and we know their financial and operational expertise will be invaluable during this next phase of growth. Together with Clessidra, we look forward to increasing our global footprint and continuing our expansion path while staying true to the qualities and values that have permitted us to reach our current position.”

Timo Springer, Managing Director of GSS GmbH, together with his family shareholders in MiCROTEC since 1997, commented: “We are honored to have had the opportunity to support MiCROTEC in its exceptional growth path over the last decades. MiCROTEC’s success was enabled by an extremely talented and committed management team, and we are very proud of what we have achieved together. We are confident that MiCROTEC will carry on this success in its next chapter, as it continues to design industry-leading solutions for its clients, and we look forward to continuing our commercial partnership with MiCROTEC in the best interests of our customers.

“We are thrilled to partner with MiCROTEC, which over last years has established itself as preferred partner for world leading players, both in the wood and the food industry”, said Andrea Ottaviano, CEO at Clessidra Private Equity SGR. “MiCROTEC has consistently outperformed its reference markets generating double digit revenue growth for the last 15 years. We would like to thank the Springer family for their invaluable role in past years and we look forward to continuing the successful collaboration.”

Rebecka Swenson, Managing Director at Clessidra Private Equity SGR added: “We see tremendous market expansion opportunities given continued focus on innovative scanning solutions, and as we project to build on current success, our aim is also to identify adequate targets across core segments to accelerate the already outlined organic growth path. In this context, we are thrilled to work with Federico and the outstanding team at MiCROTEC to support their vision.”

Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Clessidra was assisted by Fineurop Soditic (M&A and debt advisor), Advant NCTM (legal), EY (financial and operations), Goetz partners (business), KPMG (tax and structuring), ERM (ESG), Marsh (insurance), and Groupe Electa (funds flow).

The sellers were assisted by MP Corporate Finance (M&A advisor), Binder Grösswang (legal advisor), Di Stefano Auer Partner (legal advisor) and EY (financial and tax).

The financing was underwritten by BNP Paribas BNL and Banco BPM.

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