Wallnäs' investment in coarse timber suits the customers very well. The company is now investing SEK 15 million in its saw line. Sveaskog has been the sawmill's largest supplier of selected, coarse timber for many years. This year we will supply timber to the value of about SEK 10 million.
"Five years ago we made the decision to specialise in the sawing of coarse timber, which is to say spruce that is larger than 30 cm at the top. It is normally not possible to take out more than ten per cent coarse timber when felling, so we depend on our suppliers being able to collect timber from far wide," says Bo Skacke, CEO at Wallnäs AB, a sawmill on the outskirts of Vimmerby that was founded in 1896.
Demand is high
Sveaskog will deliver high volumes of timber to Wallnäs during 2010. Just over 20 per cent of this will be coarse timber, but more is needed. Wallnäs could have taken considerably more, and in time Sveaskog aims to meet their demand.
"We have continually increased our volumes of coarse timber in recent years. Our timber buyers work consciously to acquire coarse timber specifically for Wallnäs in order for us to meet our commitment to them," says Bengt Börjesson, Marketing manager for Sveaskog in Götaland.
Sales abroad
Wallnäs' major customers are in Germany, Holland and England. The company produces glue-laminated wood and construction timber. As a medium size sawmill, they have tried to find a niche through which they can expand and achieve good profitability.
"We have invested about SEK 15 million in recent years to enable us to saw to specific dimensions. Most sawmills can saw to a dozen or so dimensions whereas we can saw to as many as 200 different dimensions. We realised that many customers want odd sizes." says Bo Skacke.
Increasing market
A further SEK 15 million or so will be invested this year. It will be worthwhile, with Sveaskog's help.
"We can see that the market for our products is expanding. Ample supply of raw material is, of coarse, fundamental if we are to attain our growth goals. So now we are relying on Sveaskog to find large quantities of coarse timber for us," says Bo Skacke.