Forestry

Combilift, a leading global innovator in material handling solutions, has achieved dual recognition at this year’s UK Engineering & Manufacturing Awards 2024, securing two highly prestigious awards.

Design Team of the Year

The ‘Design Team of the Year’ award was presented to Combilift’s Heavy Equipment Team for their exceptional work on the groundbreaking 12-Wheel “Combi-LC Blade.” This cutting-edge machine has been specifically engineered to handle offshore wind turbine blades, which can reach up to 115 meters in length and weigh as much as 70 tonnes. The design significantly enhances the ability to transport these large, non-uniform loads safely and efficiently from manufacturing sites to storage and deployment locations.

This innovative solution addresses the growing needs of the renewable energy sector, where the demand for efficient logistics systems is increasing as the size and scale of offshore wind turbines continue to grow. Prior to the development of the Combi-LC Blade, existing transportation methods were often inadequate and posed logistical challenges. Combilift’s Heavy Equipment Design Team drew upon their extensive experience in engineering complex transport systems, previously creating the renowned Combi-SC Straddle Carrier and Combi-MG Mobile Gantry ranges.

In collaboration with Siemens Gamesa, one of the world’s largest suppliers of offshore wind turbine technology, Combilift designed a transport system that offers unparalleled stability and safety in moving these massive turbine blades. The Combi-LC Blade has now been successfully deployed at manufacturing sites across the globe, demonstrating its effectiveness and transforming the way wind turbine blades are handled and transported. Combilift is renowned for its customer-centric approach and ability to develop customized material handling solutions specifically tailored to meet customers’ needs. This award, sponsored by *Eureka Magazine*, not only recognizes the team’s exceptional skill, collaboration, and dedication to solving one of the most pressing challenges in renewable energy logistics, but also highlights the company’s commitment to providing innovative customer-led solutions.

Industry Leader Award

In addition to this remarkable team achievement, Combilift’s co-founder and CEO, Martin McVicar, received the coveted ‘Industry Leader Award’, sponsored by *Menzies*. This accolade honors McVicar’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation, which have played a pivotal role in transforming Combilift from a small Irish manufacturer into a global leader in the material handling sector.

Martin McVicar’s leadership has been instrumental in Combilift’s success. Since co-founding the company, McVicar has overseen its rapid growth, transforming it into one of Ireland’s top exporters, with a projected turnover of €500 million this year. His approach to leadership combines technical expertise with a hands-on, inclusive management style. Known for his engineering prowess, McVicar has a background as Chief Engineer at Moffett Engineering, a role he held at the young age of 19.

Under his guidance, Combilift has become synonymous with innovative problem-solving in material handling, consistently delivering tailored solutions for complex logistical challenges. The judges highlighted McVicar’s ability to navigate the company through a range of external challenges, from the impacts of the pandemic to global supply chain disruptions, while maintaining a forward-thinking approach that identifies opportunities for growth and transformation.

Beyond business success, McVicar is deeply committed to fostering a strong corporate culture. Combilift’s headquarters, the largest factory under one roof in Ireland, serves not only as a manufacturing hub but also as ambassadors for corporate social responsibility. The company regularly hosts apprenticeship schemes,  charity events, family days, and educational visits, further solidifying its role within the local community. Combilift also sponsors the local Ladies GAA team, demonstrating McVicar’s commitment to supporting gender equality in sports.

Combilift’s double win at the UK Engineering & Manufacturing Awards 2024 is a testament to the company’s innovative spirit and visionary leadership, reinforcing its position as a global leader in the material handling industry.

For further information about the UK Engineering & Manufacturing Awards 2024, please visit www.engineeringmanufacturingawards.com

To read previous Combilift related posts click here.

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BID Group, a leader in the wood processing industry for over a century, has announced its new identity as Comact.

This transition marks a significant evolution in the company’s journey and reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence. From its origins as an OEM, Comact has been instrumental in transforming the wood processing industry.

The company has consistently invested in research and development, addressed customer challenges, and adapted to their evolving needs. Through strategic alliances and acquisitions of leading brands, Comact has established itself as a world-class leader and pioneer renowned for its high-performance technology and equipment and its exceptional customer engagement.

“The decision to transition to Comact aligns with our strategic plan to expand as a high-tech OEM with key customers worldwide,” explained Alistair Cook, president and CEO. “This new identity signifies the beginning of a transformative phase for us. We are reaffirming our commitment to being the premier OEM in the industry by delivering cutting-edge technologies, world-class project services, and unparalleled dedication—qualities that have cemented Comact’s reputation as a market leader in high-performance, innovative solutions.”

As Comact, the company will continue to focus on what matters most to its clients: optimizing operational performance, leveraging advanced technologies, and delivering exceptional field support. Our comprehensive project services, including construction and installation, will continue without interruption.

The company has also unveiled its new brand identity and logo, which embody its customer-centric approach and the robustness and high performance of its equipment.

The company will gradually implement the new brand across all touchpoints starting now. Customers, partners, and stakeholders can expect a seamless transition with no disruption to its operations. Further details will be shared soon.

ABOUT COMACT

For over 100 years, Comact has been a leading OEM in high-caliber wood processing equipment, digital technologies, cutting solutions, project services, and aftermarket support. Driven by innovation and excellence, we are dedicated to helping our customers address their most pressing operational and business challenges in today’s industry.

Whether for brownfield or greenfield projects, Comact’s expertise provides wood processing facilities with the confidence that their investments will yield superior performance, throughput, and ROI. This ensures they remain competitive and achieve sustained growth in an ever-evolving market. Trust Comact to deliver exceptional performance every time. For more information, click here.

To read previous BID Group posts click here.

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• Transformation needs flexibility: ZF invests in hybrid drivetrain technologies and introduces TraXon 2 Hybrid to further support the decarbonization of commercial vehicles

• Decarbonization beyond the drivetrain: trailer and power take-off technologies also in focus

• Electrification portfolio: ZF anticipates global demand

Friedrichshafen, Germany. ZF continues to lead the charge towards developing innovative technologies to make commercial vehicles more sustainable. As the industry undergoes its greatest transformation since the invention of the internal combustion engine, ZF will continue to set the pace of innovation by actively responding to customer needs with a full-flex portfolio.

The company will showcase as such during this year’s IAA Transportation in Hanover, Germany, from September 17th-22nd.

As the world’s largest component and system supplier with the broadest portfolio to the commercial vehicle industry, ZF is well positioned to provide the technical expertise, manufacturing flexibility and cross-divisional technology transfer needed to provide cost-effective solutions. ZF anticipates that customer demand for e-mobility to grow over the next few years.

Hybrid technologies

ZF is investing in hybrid drivetrain technologies as a rapid solution to reduce commercial vehicle emissions. ZF’s latest variant of its successful TraXon 2 transmission, the TraXon 2 Hybrid, is a new concept that effectively enables OEMs to incorporate hybrid technology into their existing design platforms with reduced effort and complexity. The system facilitates clean, safe and efficient mobility, while bringing total cost of ownership (TCO) benefits.
Hybrid technologies offer significant emissions reduction potential while retaining many of the advantages terms of range and refilling capabilities. With its extensive experience in developing hybrid technologies for passenger cars, ZF is able to leverage its technical and industrial capabilities to develop viable, cost-effective hybrid solutions.

Zero emissions technologies: ZF’s E-Mobility Kit

ZF’s family of next generation electric drives provides all the elements manufacturers need to electrify their vehicles. ZF’s E-Mobility Kit employs a unique modular approach, seamlessly integrating components to create a compact, lightweight and powerful system. ZF’s in-house development of key components, including inverters, e-motors, transmissions, e-actuators, and electronic control units including software, allows them to tailor e-drive solutions to the unique specifications of OEM customers across various vehicle applications.

Catering to a wide range of customer requirements, ZF’s kit includes a central drive platform – the CeTrax 2 dual and CeTrax 2 – which can slot into the same space as a conventional transmission, as well as an axle drive platform – the AxTrax 2 dual and AxTrax 2 – which sits closer to the wheels, providing greater design flexibility.

OEMs have the flexibility to use complete e-drive systems from ZF or integrate individual components, software, or subsystems. This versatility facilitates a smooth transition to electric mobility, offering electric drive solutions that can either be easily integrated into existing vehicle platforms or provide additional design flexibility to meet various applications.

Electrified Trailers

The trailer will play an increasingly significant role in helping to decarbonize road freight transport, whether hauled by an ICE or electric truck. ZF’s electric trailer concept, which integrates its in-house developed AxTrax 2 e-Axle together with its trailer EBS and battery system box into a trailer, effectively converts an ICE powered truck into a hybrid. In the case of an electric vehicle, the electric trailer concept effectively extends the vehicle’s range.

When pulled by an ICE, the technology can help reduce CO2 emissions by up to 16% through recuperation, while up to 40% with the plug-in-hybrid solution. The concept is possible thanks to the development of ZF’s latest electrified traction axle, the AxTrax 2, which was originally designed for trucks, buses and coaches. Integrating its e-mobility technologies such as the AxTrax 2 combined with ZF´s leading expertise in braking control systems demonstrates how ZF applies its technical-transfer capabilities to meet a wide range of applications effectively.

eWorX

ZF also excels in the domain of electrified power-take off solutions (ePTO). ZF’s eWorX integrates components including a 50-kW e-motor, inverter and electronic control unit with application-specific software. eWorX powers a range of equipment including hook lifters, skip loaders or loading cranes installed on electric commercial vehicles. Developed in close collaboration with OEMs and body manufacturers, the concept is proving highly successful with demand for eWorX products expected to double over the next few years.

ZF’s latest version of eWorX is integrated into the frame of the truck and uses the truck’s cooling system. The innovative design reduces installation space and allows the system to be used in a wider range of vehicle applications. Additionally, ZF will soon introduce a next generation to the ZF eWorX family with a 70 kW, 800 V, cyber security capable drive for electric power take-off solutions as well as a multifunctional, bidirectional I/O device to power applications on electrified commercial vehicles.

Photo: World premiere: Speeding up decarbonization with the new TraXon 2 Hybrid transmission system for heavy commercial vehicles.

To read previous ZF posts click here.

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Gatineau, Quebec – The Canadian Woodlands Forum flagship event, DEMO International will be moving into the Venosta, Quebec forest region later this month. DEMO International is one of North America’s largest and unique LIVE in-woods forest equipment expos. 2024 will mark the event’s 14th edition and will be taking place September 19th through 21st.

“We can’t be more thrilled to get this event off the ground.” Said National Show Manager, Mark Cusack. “The planning process has been extensive so it’s exciting to see some of the larger equipment finally start to roll in.”

Visitors can look forward to seeing over $100 million in forestry equipment and machines on display from top manufacturers and suppliers internationally. The DEMO route is over 3.2 kms long and will showcase both large- and small-scale equipment including forest harvesting, forwarding, biomass, firewood processors and more.

Registration is available now online for those interested in attending. Pre-registration is just $40+tax per person for a one-day pass (one day pass will be $60 at the door, three-day pass will be $80 at the door)

There will also be a Log Loader competition presented by Barko and Équipments Marquis. Guests wanting to test their skills will have the opportunity to compete over the 3-day event.

There will also be a 2-day technical conference in conjunction with the event held at the Delta Ottawa City Centre. Organized by the Canadian Woodlands Forum in collaboration with the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, FP Innovations, and Université Laval, the DEMO International conference’s theme is “Adapting to New Forestry: Unlocking Innovative Solutions.” Register HERE to be part of the conference.

For complete details and updates on DEMO International, please visit the show’s website at www.demointernational.com or find the show on Facebook or Instagram.

SHOW INFORMATION

Thursday, Sept. 19: 9 am – 5 pm
Friday, Sept. 20: 9 am – 5 pm
Saturday, Sept. 21: 9 am – 4 pm

Social Media:

• Twitter: @DemoIntl
• Facebook: @DEMOIntl
• Instagram: @DemoInternational

To read previous DEMO International posts click here.

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Ce mois, DEMO International s’installe à Vénosta, au Québec

Gatineau, Québec – L’évènement phare du Forum canadien des opérations forestières, DEMO International, prendra en charge la région forestière de Vénosta, Québec plus tard ce mois-ci. DEMO® International est l’un des salons d’équipement forestier LIVE et en forêt les plus impressionnant et uniques en Amérique du Nord.  2024 marquera la 14ème édition et se déroulera du 19 au 21 septembre.

« Nous ne pourrions pas être plus enthousiastes pour le démarrage de cet évènement. » A dit Mark Cusack, Directeur national de salon. « Le processus de planification a été long donc nous sommes ravis de voir certains des plus gros équipements commencer enfin à arriver. »

Les visiteurs peuvent s’attendre à voir plus de 100 millions de dollars en équipement de foresterie et des machines en expositions provenant de fabricants et fournisseurs au premier rang de l’industrie international.  La route DEMO s’étend sur plus de 3.2 kms et présentera des équipements à petite et grande échelle, notamment pour l’abattage, la transportation, la biomasse, la transformation de bois de chauffage, etc.

Pour ceux qui sont intéressés, l’inscription en ligne est disponible maintenant . Le coût de préinscription est de 40$ + taxes par personne pour un laissez-passer d’une journée (le laissez-passer d’une journée sera 60$ à l’entrée, le laissez-passer de trois jours sera de 80$ à l’entrée).

Il y aura également une compétition de chargeuse à bois présentée par Barko et Équipments Marquis. Les invités qui souhaitent mettre leurs habiletés à l’épreuve auront l’occasion de participer à la compétition lors de l’évènement de 3 jours.

De plus, il y aura une conférence technique de deux jours précédant le salon qui se tiendra au Delta Ottawa City Centre. Organisée par le Forum canadien des forêts en collaboration avec le Centre canadien sur la fibre de bois, FP Innovations et l’Université Laval, la conférence DEMO International a pour thème « Adaptation à la nouvelle Foresterie : Débloquer des solutions innovantes ». Inscrivez-vous ICI pour participer à la conférence.

Pour obtenir tous les détails et toutes les mises à jour concernant DEMO International, veuillez consulter le site web du salon à www.demointernational.com ou retrouvez le salon sur Facebook ou Instagram.

INFORMATIONS POUR LE SALON

Jeudi le 19 sept: 9h – 17h
Vendredi le 20 sept: 9h – 17h
Samedi le 21 sept: 9h – 16h 

Médias Sociaux:

• Twitter: @DemoIntl
• Facebook: @DEMOIntl
• Instagram: @DemoInternational

The post DEMO International Moves Into Venosta, Quebec This Month appeared first on International Forest Industries.

As their old equipment started to lag behind what was needed for the business, Bright Wood turned to USNR’s AddVantage scanners for a solution. Bright Wood purchased eight systems with the plan to replace existing scanners and to add more locations.

The goal was to utilize the system’s AI defect programming to help reduce the amount of waste, create fewer cutbacks, and produce an overall better product for their customers.

An outdated scanning system can be severely detrimental to any facility. From slow processing time to misallocated manpower to excess waste, it can be the weak link that costs a mill thousands of dollars every year. This is exactly what led Bright Wood to search for alternative scanner options.

The AddVantage uses AI-driven defecting technology that provides industry-leading detection and classification of defects. But finding the AddVantage was just the beginning. Upgrading and refining their process has now led Bright Wood to new ventures and better product.

Read the full article here.

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New for 2024, the Timber Processing & Energy Expo will host a morning session on current panel manufacturing best practices and industry trends, Thursday, September 26.

With speakers continuing to be added, confirmed presentations include George Harmati from Westmill and Connor Easton from Raute.

Conference registration is now open as part of TP&EE show registration—add it to your TP&EE plans today!

In his talk, “Modernizing the Plywood and LVL Industry,” Connor Easton with Raute leads off the morning. Modernization in the plywood and LVL industry is now widely considered essential in order to stay competitive in the market.

The growing shortage of labour coupled with increasing wages and insurance premiums necessitate mills to turn to automation in order to meet their output, efficiency and budgetary goals. Raute, a global manufacturer of veneer, plywood and LVL solutions, has responded to the need by offering a greater range of automated equipment that solves these pressure points and more.

He’ll share performance features of several automated lines as well as real statistics from clients who have modernized their mills.

To read other TP&EE posts click here.

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Broader focus on silviculture

With the increased importance that the global Forest Industry has on the decarbonization of the atmosphere, and in order to help global forestry customers meet the growing demand for sustainably sourced, cost-effective wood products, John Deere Forestry has shifted its strategic focus from forest harvesting to include the entire Forestry Production System.

This is not new at John Deere, since their agriculture team has successfully leveraged Production System thinking to develop a host of technology-driven products that have significantly improved agricultural yield and efficiency, while reducing input costs for farmers.

Applying this holistic thinking to the forest industry, it was clear that the forest harvesting segment has experienced a significant improvement in productivity, efficiency, and safety through mechanization over the past four decades. Forest harvesting has undergone a significant transformation, but silviculture is an area of the overall Forestry Production System that hasn’t experienced much change.

As John Deere Forestry explored this further with customers and forest owners worldwide, it was clear that increased urbanization was making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain forest workers for the labour-intensive jobs typically found in silviculture. In some regions, especially those that have experienced higher than normal forest losses due to the effects of climate change (forest fire, insect infestations, drought etc.), silviculture activities are so constrained by the labour shortage that it is putting significant pressure on maintaining the exceptional history of sustainably managing the forest ecosystem.

John Deere Forestry saw an opportunity to leverage their experience with mechanized forest harvesting and the development of precision soil preparation, planting and spraying technology for agriculture and apply it to silviculture.

Brazilian forests as a starting point

Like all significant change activities, you have to start somewhere. In discussions with forest customers worldwide, they saw a good opportunity to work with Brazil’s forestry industry primarily because they have very organized silvicultural activities, their plantation forestry infrastructure is well defined, and their forests have very short rotation times – which provides John Deere with quick feedback on the positive and any potential negative impacts of mechanized silviculture. Additionally, there was considerable “pull” from Brazil’s forest industry for mechanized silviculture solutions to help them meet the growth of the eucalyptus plantation forest area over the coming decade.

According to the latest survey by the Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá, January 2022), the Brazilian forestry sector has 9.5 million hectares of productive forests. In addition to the significant investment in sustainably managed productive forests, Brazil’s forest industry has also developed another 6 million hectares of native forest, exclusively for conservation and providing a natural habitat for native species.

Mechanized planting as a solution to challenges?

Leveraging customer-focused processes, developed by the John Deere Ag Advanced Marketing team, they mapped the entire Silviculture Production System and looked at the areas where customers were experiencing the biggest challenges. They also looked at where the biggest opportunities existed for customers to improve productivity and efficiency. Comparing the challenges and the opportunities, they quickly identified that mechanized planting provided one of the biggest opportunities for Brazilian customers to meet the challenges they were facing.

They assembled a small, highly talented team by bringing together people with experience in Forestry, Agriculture and Construction equipment development. Working closely with customers, this team managed to quickly create a concept Mechanized Seedling Planter that was initially sent for customer testing in early 2020. Unfortunately, the global pandemic stopped our testing and they had to reassemble their efforts during the pandemic based on very limited customer feedback.

Promising test results John Deere Forestry were able to resume field testing after the global travel restrictions were lifted. They presented the concept Mechanized Seedling Planter to many customers at the Florestal 2022 forestry show in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in May 2022.

The Mechanized Seedling Planter is currently undergoing further customer testing. Initial feedback is very favourable, and they are on track to meet the customer’s request to be able to plant one hectare of forest per hour and significantly reduce manual labour by approximately 90%. In order to achieve these results, they integrated several technologies leveraged directly from Agriculture, such as automated path planning and steering, which simplifies the operation of the machine and improves the overall quality of the planting.

Continuous development for healthier forests The Mechanized Seedling Planter is designed to be adaptable to different species and is intended to be used in different forestry markets around the world. The planter is built on the 1510G forwarder that is in serial production at the Joensuu factory in Finland. The 1510G’s performance and ergonomics provide an industry leading platform for the silviculture solutions Deere is developing.

Mechanized planting is only the beginning; through the leverage of Agriculture technologies, there are further opportunities to improve the productivity and efficiency, while reducing input costs for forest owners. Emerging technologies like the recently released John Deere See and Spray have significant potential to further reduce the cost of silviculture activities while improving the health of the forest.

Recent trial results for local foresters

As part of this year’s eagerly awaited ForestTECH 2024 series in November where research, trial results and operational lessons from mechanised tree planting are going to be unveiled to local foresters, Matti Tarkka, Program Manager, John Deere Forestry, Silviculture Projects, John Deere, Finland will be outlining in greater detail the testing results from the John Deere Mechanized Seedling Planter from Brazilian forests and plans for the new planting machine in this part of the world.

Details on the content and coverage for the 20-21 November Rotorua, New Zealand event and 26-27 November 2024 event running in Melbourne, Australia the week after, can now be found on the 2024 ForestTECH 2024 website.

To read more Tree Planting related posts click here.
To read more John Deere related posts click here.

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The clearer structure and the extensive concentration of earthmoving machinery in the gravel pit at the northern end of the area were well received by both visitors and exhibitors at the FinnMETKO 2024 trade fair.

The three-day major exhibition for professionals in the machinery sectors in Jämsä concluded Saturday on a positive note after busy trading.

The exhibition featured over 340 exhibitors, including nearly all the major manufacturers and importers of earthmoving machinery, forestry machines, chippers, crushers, trucks, and other commercial vehicles. Over the course of the three days, a total of 30,700 visitors attended the exhibition.

One of the key themes of the exhibition was fuel efficiency in machinery and the new solutions developed around it. For example, the NorrDigi excavator, developed in collaboration between Norrhydro and Volvo, was showcased.

This excavator, with its new hydraulic solution, has significantly reduced the fuel consumption of a 30-ton excavator. Additionally, various systems that facilitate the work of operators continued to be a strong trend especially in forestry machines. The latest operator assistance systems were presented at FinnMETKO.

For this exhibition, the layout of the area was slightly modified from previous years. The entrance, which was previously located in the middle of the area, was moved to the very southern end, and the exhibition area was slightly reduced in size at its southern end.

• The new location of the southern gate has made visitor movement within the exhibition clearer and safer. The walking routes of the exhibition visitors and traffic to the parking areas are now clearly separated, says the exhibition director, Tapio Hirvikoski.

The new layout received praise from both visitors and exhibitors. There was also much appreciation for the earthmoving machinery area located at the northern end of the area, on the former gravel extraction site at Kaakkolampi.

• Earthmoving machinery made a striking return to the gravel pit. Visitors were pleased to find many familiar machine brands located in the same area. The forestry demonstrations and forestry machines also attracted large crowds, as did the always popular commercial vehicles.

FinnMETKO 2024 was held in Jämsä from August 29 to 31, 2024. The first FinnMETKO exhibition was organized in 1987, followed by the second in 1988. Since then, this professional exhibition for the machinery industry has been held every two years, and this year marked the 20th exhibition.

The next FinnMETKO 2026, will be held in Jämsä from September 3rd to 5th, 2026.

Lisätietoja:

Exhibition Director CEO Tapio Hirvikoski, Finnmetko Oy,mobile +358 40 900 9417
Communications Manager Sirpa Heiskanen, mobile +358 40 900 9423

The FinnMETKO 2024 professional and sales trade fair is Finland’s main event for the heavy machinery industry. The organizer responsible for FinnMETKO 2024 is Finnmetko Oy. The organizations behind the exhibition are the Trade Association of Finnish Forestry and Earthmoving Contractors (Koneyrittäjät) and Keski-Suomen Koneyrittäjät ry.

To read previous FinnMETKO related posts click here.

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BID Automation, a subsidiary of BID Group known for its expertise in control systems across various manufacturing sectors, is rebranding as CORE Integrators.

This rebranding signifies the organization’s continued push for strategic expansion beyond wood processing into a broader range of industries, including agriculture, food and beverage, steel, textiles, asphalt production, automotive, recycling, biomass, and more. Despite this diversification, CORE Integrators will continue to serve the wood processing industry.

While the name has changed, the relationship with BID Group remains unchanged. As a part of BID Group, CORE Integrators continue to benefit from the same strong support and resources that have always empowered them to deliver exceptional value to its customers. CORE Integrators will continue to leverage BID Group’s extensive capabilities—all while advancing its expertise in system upgrades, robotics, and plant monitoring and control.

Customers, partners, and stakeholders can expect a seamless transition with no disruption to its operations. Further details will be shared soon bye CORE Integrators.

To read previous BID Group posts click here.

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Ponsse demonstrated new solutions for sustainable harvesting at the FinnMETKO 2024 exhibition in Jämsä that support the daily activities of forest machine operators and help forest machine entrepreneurs monitor the profitability and productivity of their fleet.

Ponsse’s new forwarders Elk and Wisend and H7 harvester heads were showcased at the event for the first time. In addition, they presented a material concept for fossil-free steel. Ponsse is the first forest machine manufacturer in the world which has part of its forest machine made from fossil-free steel produced by SSAB.

Aiming for a fossil-free future

Ponsse has made the load space of the PONSSE Buffalo forwarder from SSAB’s fossil-free steel. This material concept focuses on the machining capabilities, behaviour and properties of the new material used in forest machine manufacturing. The load space has only been designed for material testing and does not correspond to production models. The material concept is part of the FORWARD27 ecosystem project.

New PONSSE Wisent and PONSSE Elk forwarders   

PONSSE Wisent forwarder offers load-carrying capacity, agility and productivity at diverse harvesting sites. The excellent weight distribution and geometry of the PONSSE Wisent makes it easy to also transport stems at thinning sites with dense and bendy trees.

PONSSE Elk forwarder operates reliably in changing conditions and at sites with long distances. The new Elk is an efficient and agile forwarder with an excellent load-carrying capacity relative to the machine weight.

The new forwarders feature a big cabin, large windows and thin window pillars, ensuring excellent visibility in every direction. The cabin can also be equipped with the PONSSE Seat, which effectively reduces swaying and impact directed at the operator during the working day.

PONSSE Active Cabin, a cabin suspension system which improves driving comfort, is the most recent addition to the range of optional equipment available for both PONSSE Elk and Wisent. On uneven forest trails and in demanding terrain, ergonomics and productivity improve when the system effectively suspends any strain directed at the cabin.

New PONSSE H7 harvester head 

The new PONSSE H7 harvester head features a powerful feed and an excellent power-to-weight ratio that improve productivity. Thanks to its improved geometry, the new H7 is able to process large stems with ease. The advanced PONSSE Active Speed function is a new feature in the H7 harvester head. It allows the speed of the harvester head to be adjusted according to the tree species and stem diameter. The strong structure, high sawing power and excellent grip geometry of the new harvester head make harvesting even quicker and more productive.

PONSSE Armrest & eArmrest 

Adjustable armrests are among Ponsse’s new solutions for improved ergonomics. Adjusted according to the forest machine operator’s dimensions and driving style, the armrests significantly reduce any stress directed at the nape and shoulders while working. As the adjustments are stored in memory, the operator does not need to adjust the armrests again at the beginning of each shift.

PONSSE Armrests are available as standard equipment for harvesters and forwarders and PONSSE eArmrests are available as optional for all harvesters and forwarders.

PONSSE Active Crane now also available for C5 and C6 loaders   

PONSSE Active Crane makes the crane even easier to use. The operator does not need to control different joint movements: they only need to move the harvester head in the desired direction at the desired speed. End damping makes operations even smoother.

Active Crane, available as an option, requires the Opti 5G control system. Available from Q1/2025

PONSSE High-Precision Positioning 

With the PONSSE High-Precision Positioning solution, the machine operator can see the precise location of the machine and harvester head. The solution uses the industry’s leading navigation and positioning tools, as well as Ponsse’s own advanced technologies such as Active Crane. As a result, the reliability of positioning is at a level not often within the reach of conventional systems.

High-Precision Positioning shows the precise location of the harvester head in a map view, significantly improving the productivity of harvesting. Using the solution, the operator can clearly identify the areas from where trees need to be harvested and those that must be avoided. The location of every stump is saved in the production file, and the forwarder operator can clearly see the harvester trail. New solutions improve the productivity and safety of operations.

High-Precision Positioning is available in Finland, Sweden and Germany for all PONSSE harvesters equipped with Active Crane, and it can also be installed as a retrofit solution. More information about availability in other market areas will be announced later.

PONSSE Scale – a wireless loader scale system 

PONSSE Scale is a wireless loader scale system, which weighs the load and sorts, saves and manages load data during all work stages. Accurate weight measurements ensure optimal loads. Weighing is fully automatic during both loading and unloading, and detailed data on each load is registered. Load data, logs and the measuring accuracy are available in easily readable reports. PONSSE Scale has excellent weather resistance and produces accurate results in all conditions, ranging from hot summer days to freezing cold.

PONSSE Scale can be installed in all new PONSSE forwarder models.

PONSSE Manager 2.0. – a platform for next-generation digital services

PONSSE Manager 2.0 is a platform for next-generation digital services and a forest machine management system. The system allows customers to track the location, productivity, and fuel consumption of their machines. It also monitors the growth of stands and the progress of plans. In addition, it can be used to manage machine transportation, monitor the production volumes of machines by assortment and print measuring certificates.

The digital platform allows users to create a custom landing page or dashboard, with immediate access to vital data. Important information can be read quickly, and changes are easy to spot. Further information: https://manager2.ponsse.com/

The Siirrot Pro application can now also be integrated into Ponsse Manager 2.0

Siirrot PRO is a paid application for planning machine transportation in advance, monitoring transportation in real time on a map, giving notifications of transportation stages to all parties and improving the efficiency of rapidly changing situations at worksites through communication. Transportation management using the app supports daily management, cost monitoring and transportation optimisation in machine companies.

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Competing with five other companies, Timber Group won the award for best Ponsse representative in South America in 2023. Coming in third place in the world ranking, it competed with 30 other companies that represent the brand worldwide. Among the criteria analyzed for the award are results in sales, after-sales and customer satisfaction.

Every year, Ponsse awards its subsidiary and the brand representative that stood out during the period. In 2023, the Brazilian Timber, considered the best in South America, won third place among all representatives worldwide. First place went to Wahlers Forsttechnik, Ponsse’s representative in Germany since 1993 and in Austria since 2019.

The Timber Group, which has represented Ponsse since 2015, officially operates with the brand in three Brazilian states (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná). This award, presented at the beginning of August, is not the first that the company has received. In 2020, they achieved first place in the world ranking.

The focus on customer needs and the synergy with Ponsse are highlighted by Timber Group CEO Jober Fonseca as the differentiators for achieving this distinction. “This recognition validates all the effort and dedication we put into our work every day. It is a testament to our ability to offer high-quality solutions and our team’s commitment to exceeding customer expectations. This motivates us to continue evolving and always seek the best for our partners and customers.”

For the Executive Sales Manager and Area Manager for Dealers at Ponsse Brazil, Rodrigo Marangoni, developing the brand through representatives is also what sets Ponsse apart. “We are closer to our customers, focusing on personalized service that truly understands the needs of the field. We feel that this closeness is what makes the difference,” says Rodrigo.

For Jober, after-sales service is the main differentiator in achieving customer satisfaction. “The Timber Group’s differential lies in our continuous focus on deeply understanding our customers’ needs and providing solutions that truly make a difference in their operations. Our specialized technical support, combined with after-sales service, ensures that our customers have confidence and peace of mind when operating our equipment. I believe this combination of exceptional service and constant innovation is what positions us as leaders in the sector,” he said.

Ponsse South America Vice President Martin Toledo also emphasizes that the similarity of values ​​between the two companies translates into results. “We feel that Timber Group is aligned with Ponsse’s values ​​and this is reflected in customer satisfaction. At the same time, we want this recognition to be a way to encourage other representatives in South America to also achieve excellent results,” Martin concluded.

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FAE enhances the versatility of its RCU75 remote controlled tracked carrier with the new PMM/RCU75 swinging hammer mulcher.

The PMM/RCU75 is an efficient solution for mulching grass, brambles, twigs and small shrubs up to 8 cm in diameter.

This head features a hydraulic hood for better control of the outflowing material, a support roller with integrated skids, a trapezoidal belt transmission, and interchangeable protection chains.

The PMM/RCU can be equipped with PMM hammers or Y/3 flails.

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USNR ‘s powerful history as a strong visionary leader has brought many important innovations to the industry, and it’s time to unveil our next groundbreaking product development.

We’re revealing a brand-new piece of equipment exclusively at this year’s Timber Processing & Energy Expo, September 25-27 in Portland, OR. We’re thrilled to introduce this latest product offering from USNR that is as innovative as you are.

We’ll also be showcasing new advances in optimization and panel technology. You’ll be able to see special displays from our parts and upgrades teams and meet our expansive network of experts so you can learn more about what USNR has to offer.

Join us as our special guest with this form and be one of the first in the world to witness this exciting moment!

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The IFI August September issue is now available in Digital here.

Features include:

SAWLINES
Skidders
Shredders and Grinders
PONSSE in South America

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Ponsse is expanding its dealer network in the United States. On 1 July 2024, Ponsse signed a dealer agreement with the company Bailey’s, based in Woodland, California. The new dealer will focus on the sales, servicing and training of PONSSE forest machines in the states of California and Nevada.

The company was founded in 1975 by Bill and Judith Bailey in Laytonville, California. Bailey’s is still a family company, now owned by the second generation – Bill’s sons, Nik and Sam Bailey.

Bailey’s has been in the forestry industry since the beginning. They started by selling chainsaws and accessories, tree care products, work clothing and other forestry equipment. Over time, they have grown into a premier supplier of forestry products in the region and are also known for their marketing catalogue, which is published annually. In 2014, they expanded their product line to include sales and servicing of larger industrial forestry equipment.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ponsse and bring their exceptional forest machines to our customers in California. Ponsse’s equipment is synonymous with quality and innovation, and this partnership allows us to offer our clients the best solutions for their forestry operations. Our team is excited to provide the sales, support and service that Ponsse customers have come to expect.

This new partnership aligns with Bailey’s mission to support the forestry community by offering cutting-edge tools and equipment that enhance productivity, safety and sustainability in the field. Customers in California can now access Ponsse’s complete range of products, backed by Bailey’s industry expertise and dedication to customer service. To celebrate this new partnership, Bailey’s will be hosting a series of launch events across California at which customers can learn more about Ponsse’s machinery, meet with experts, and see demonstrations of the equipment in action,” says Nik Bailey, CEO, Bailey’s.

“The partnership with Bailey’s is an exciting opportunity for Ponsse to expand into a new market area. Logging in California has mainly been done using traditional methods, but there are signs that cut-to-length logging is the future over there as well. There are a few Ponsse machines in the region already, and we hope to increase that number. It will be a long-term process, but we believe Bailey’s is the right partner for us in the region. They are well-connected in the local forestry industry, and as a family company, it is a great cultural match with Ponsse,” says Samuel Vidgren, Ponsse Plc, Area Manager, USA Dealers.

Most of the logging in the region is steep-slope logging in the mountains. The estimated standing timber volume in California is 1.4 billion cubic metres. The forest cover is mostly softwood – mainly pine in the mountainous areas.

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RFS trucks – The Minns Labor Government is preparing for the upcoming bushfire season with the rollout of new firefighting tankers and cutting-edge satellite technology to keep crews connected and safer during emergencies.

In a significant upgrade, RFS vehicles will now be equipped with Vehicle as a Node (VaaN) technology to ensure RFS personnel can communicate during a disaster in the most remote locations or if communication systems go down. The Starlink satellite technology will enable the use of radios, mobile phones, and other handheld devices anywhere and at any time— even in remote areas or if communication infrastructure has been damaged during a disaster.

The upgrade will provide an important backup to communication systems and location-finding technology already in use. It will also give crews the capability to live stream video of fires from anywhere in the state, providing command centres with the latest intelligence about an incident. More than 5,000 RFS operational vehicles will be equipped with the new technology over three years under the $69 million VaaN project.

The RFS is partnering with the NSW Telco Authority to deliver the communications upgrade, with installations beginning this year.

The satellite upgrade comes after the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) delivered 143 new and 69 refurbished firefighting tankers to brigades across the state over the past year. Most new trucks have been deployed to regional areas across the state, benefiting communities from Balranald to Eurobodalla and Armidale to Gilgandra, with the state’s south receiving the largest uplift following the devastating 2019/20 Black Summer fires. Category 1 tankers, which are the most used on the fire front, make up the highest number of trucks dispatched across the state.

The refurbishment of 69 existing trucks will also make them safer for crews, with a halo sprinkler system for the cabin, custom-fitted heat curtains, electric hose reels, and portable Public Safety Network and fireground radio chargers. To meet strict RFS firefighting requirements, the new trucks are being assembled locally at facilities in Kirrawee, Minto, Tomago, and South Windsor.

This follows the NSW Government’s commitment to a new contract for the aerial RFS fleet, which provides certainty and a shift to a predominantly NSW-based crew over the coming decade. The Bush Fire Danger Period for northern parts of the state commenced on 1 August, and the statutory period for the entire state begins on 1 October.

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BATTLE CREEK, MICH — Opticom Tech, a leader in industrial video monitoring solutions, announced today a groundbreaking advancement in industrial camera technology. Opticom’s cameras now offer the unprecedented ability to deliver 10 simultaneous video streams from a single camera, setting a new industry standard.

Opticom Tech cameras can now pull 10 video streams from a single unit—a significant leap from the industry standard of three streams. This capability is a game-changer for industrial facilities, allowing multiple stakeholders—such as operators, managers, supervisors, and security personnel—to access real-time footage simultaneously without having to access the software. Each team member can monitor critical areas without any delay or interruption.

“We are incredibly proud to introduce this innovative feature that our customers have been asking for,” said Heidi Schmidt, Global Sales Manager at Opticom Tech. “Our new 10-stream capability not only enhances security and operational efficiency but also demonstrates our dedication to hearing feedback from customers and developing products based on their needs. This advancement will undoubtedly set a new benchmark in the industry.”

Opticom’s cameras are designed to meet the rigorous demands of industrial environments, providing reliable and high-quality surveillance. This new feature will be available across all Opticom camera models, ensuring that every customer can benefit from enhanced functionality and improved operational oversight.

For more information about Opticom’s new 10-stream capability and other advanced video monitoring solutions, click here.

About Opticom Tech

Founded in 1973, Opticom Tech provides integrated video monitoring solutions for industrial applications, including sawmills, mines, food processing facilities, and more. Built to withstand harsh environments, Opticom’s rugged cameras and equipment stand the test of time. For more information click here.

Main image: Opticom CC04 and MIB-5151SV4 cameras

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The construction of Metsä Group’s Kerto LVL mill in Äänekoski, Finland, has reached a significant milestone as the building has now attained its rooftop height. To mark this achievement, a traditional topping-out ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The event was attended by key figures including Metsä Wood’s Executive Vice President Jaakko Anttila, Project Director Eero Lampola, and SRV’s Chief Executive Officer Saku Sipola, who all expressed their congratulations and appreciation for the project’s progress.

The construction work, which is progressing according to plan, is expected to be completed by autumn 2025, with production slated to begin in the second half of 2026. “The construction of the Kerto LVL mill in Äänekoski has progressed safely and in a high-quality manner according to plan. A construction project of this magnitude requires excellence and seamless cooperation between different parties, and I would like to thank every partner involved in the project, which has made the project progress to this point,” stated Jaakko Anttila.

SRV’s CEO, Saku Sipola, also emphasized the success of the cooperative project management contract, which has facilitated the creation of mill premises that align with Metsä Group’s modern production processes. He noted, “Metsä Group is a pioneer in the industry’s transition to collaborative project formats for its construction investments. The lessons learned from this project will also be fully utilized in the development phase of Metsä Group’s new 20,000 square metre fibre products mill planned for the Rauma mill site.”

Project Details and Progress

The Kerto LVL mill, spanning an area of five hectares, is a large-scale construction project, with the building measuring 400 meters in length and 150 meters in width. As of now, the construction is approximately halfway completed, with ongoing work inside the building. The structure is divided into six sections, allowing the work to progress in stages. Land construction will continue almost until the project’s completion.

Currently, the construction site is operating at full capacity, with around 200 workers on-site. Over the course of the project, up to 1,000 workers will be involved, with about half of them hailing from Central Finland.

Once completed, the new mill will have an annual production capacity of approximately 160,000 cubic meters of Kerto LVL, significantly increasing Metsä Group’s Kerto LVL capacity by about 50 percent. Kerto LVL, made from wood veneers, is a high-value building material known for its strength and efficiency. Its versatility makes it ideal for various construction applications, including elements and modular construction, while also contributing to carbon storage throughout its lifecycle.

This milestone represents a major step forward in Metsä Group’s ongoing commitment to expanding its sustainable construction materials production, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in the wood products industry.

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International technology group ANDRITZ has successfully commenced operations at a new pulp mill for Brazilian pulp producer Suzano in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Mato Grosso do Sul. Once fully operational, this facility will be the world’s largest single-line eucalyptus pulp mill, boasting an annual production capacity of 2.55 million tons.

Remarkably, the mill will operate without fossil fuels, utilizing 100% planted trees as raw material. It will be energy self-sufficient, generating surplus green power for local suppliers and the national grid.

“This new pulp mill will increase our production capacity while significantly reducing our environmental impact, supporting our financial and environmental goals. The cutting-edge technologies applied are in line with our commitment to sustainability and innovation. Trust and reliability are essential in a project like this, and we found both in our partnership with ANDRITZ,” stated Maurício Miranda, Director of Engineering at Suzano and responsible for the construction of the mill.

ANDRITZ provided a highly resource-efficient pulp mill featuring advanced technologies for fiber production and chemical recovery on an EPCC basis (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Civil Works). The supply included a comprehensive wood processing plant with five chipping lines, the world’s largest single-line fiberline (capacity over 8,000 adt/d) with unique washing and bleaching technology based on DD-Washers, an innovative pulp drying system with two energy-efficient drying lines, an energy-efficient black liquor evaporation plant, a HERB recovery boiler to maximize steam production for power generation, a biomass power boiler utilizing ANDRITZ EcoFluid Bubbling Fluidized Bed (BFB) technology, and a complete white liquor plant with recausticizing plant and two lime kilns.

To further enhance the mill’s environmental performance, ANDRITZ is also providing gasification plants for fossil-free operation of the lime kilns and a SulfoLoop sulfuric acid plant to produce commercial-grade sulfuric acid from the mill’s concentrated odorous gases and elemental sulfur. This innovation will recycle sulfur from waste streams, making the mill completely self-sufficient in sulfuric acid.

“We are honored that Suzano has chosen us as their EPCC partner for the implementation of this flagship project, using our most advanced technologies for efficiency and circularity,” said ANDRITZ Executive Board Member Jarno Nymark.

Photo: Suzano’s new pulp mill in Ribas do Rio Pardo, supplied by ANDRITZ. © ANDRITZ

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Johanna Lindén will assume the role of CFO at the wood industry company Setra on 16 September. She has extensive experience in the wood industry and most recently held the position of CFO, Strategy and IT Manager at Södra Wood.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Johanna and warmly welcome her to Setra. With her drive and industry knowledge, she will be a strong addition to our executive management team and contribute to Setra’s development and the ongoing improvement work in the company,” says Setra’s CEO Marcus Westdahl.

Johanna Lindén has previously worked as Head of Business Development at Derome Husproduktion, Chief Financial Officer at Derome Timber, and held several managerial positions at Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bentley University.

“During my years in the sawmill industry, I have always seen Setra as a stable and solid company. The investment and development journey that Setra is now undergoing to improve its position in the industry is exciting and proactive, and it is something I really want to contribute to,” says Johanna Lindén.

At Setra, we believe in “Grönsamhet”. When a business is profitable for everyone, we call it Grönsamhet – Green profit. Setra is one of Sweden’s largest wood industry companies. We process raw material from responsibly managed forests into climate-friendly products such as glulam, planed products, components, CLT and sawn wood products. We also sell bioproducts such as bark, chips and sawdust to customers in the paper and pulp industry, and for energy production. Our customers are located all over the world. Find out more at setragroup.com

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