The notified area of final felling in Sweden increased by 18% in February compared with the corresponding month in 2018. It is the highest monthly recorded data for the whole country in for February month in the last 12 years, according to the Swedish Forest Agency.

The total area of notified final felling in the whole country amounted to 18,453 hectares and the increase is partly due to the storms Alfrida and Jan where forest owners now make notifications to be able to take care of the forest that has been affected.

The notified area of final felling increased in all regions except for the region South of Northern Sweden where it decreased by 15%. In the region North of Sweden, it increased by 50% to 3,633 hectares. In the region Central Sweden, the notified area of final felling increased by 78% and amounted to 5,150 hectares, which is the highest monthly recorded data for February since 2007. In the region South of Sweden, the increase was 22% and amounted to 6,266 hectares.

At county level, the notified area of final felling increased in 15 of 21 counties. The largest increase was in Stockholm County, followed closely by Västmanland county which more than trebled. Thereafter, the corresponding increase in Uppsala County was 56%. It is the highest monthly recorded data for February month since 2007 in all these three counties.

The increase in Västerbotten County was 76%. Stockholm, Uppsala, Södermanland and Västmanland counties probably have higher notified area of final felling due to the storm Alfrida. In Västerbotten County, the increase in the areas is partly due to the storm Jan.

In Västernorrland County, the notified area of final felling decreased by 32%.

John Deere is rolling out its new construction simulators – further bridging the gap between the classroom and jobsite. The modular update outfits the new John Deere simulators to one of six machine types: backhoe, crawler dozer, excavator, wheel loader, joystick-controlled motor grader and fingertip control motor grader.

“The next generation of John Deere simulators builds on a state-of-the-art technology that teaches machine controls, hand-eye coordination, safe operation, and operator technique,” said Jon Goodney, manager learning technology, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Simulators offer cost-effective and efficient operator training in a risk-free environment, while avoiding wear and tear on the equipment. It’s a win-win for organizations looking to get the next generation of operators ready for the jobsite.”

Based on actual John Deere equipment, the updated simulators feature swappable controls that allow for quick interchange of joysticks and foot pedals to multiple machine types.

The state-of-the art software boasts highly-detailed, realistic virtual environments designed to cover basic and advanced operator duties through multiple jobsite tasks. A performance function provides metrics to measure student progress to help build proficiency and confidence.

The updated backhoe, excavator, and motor grader simulators will be available this spring, while the crawler dozer and wheel loader will be available for purchase this summer.

The new simulators can be coupled with free online training available through John Deere University, offering a well-rounded operator training package.

The new simulators will debut at bauma 2019, April 8-14 in Munich. To learn more, contact your local John Deere dealer.

https://www.deere.com/en/our-company/news-and-announcements/news-releases/2019/forestry/2019mar25-Simulator-Excavator-Control/

Tieto is partnering with PiiMega, a leading Finnish sawmill and forestry IT system supplier, to extend usage of Tieto Forest Hub ecosystem service in sawmill industry.

A complex supply chain in a wide forestry ecosystem involves a large number of business transactions between organisations at different points. Tieto Forest Hub service helps wood supply business partners in this ecosystem to improve the efficiency of their wood logistics and mill reception processes.

Tieto Forest Hub improves daily operational planning and follow-up, management of the inventories, and information quality, while also decreasing the amount of manual work and reducing errors.

“Forest Hub provides our customers with productivity benefits and new possibilities for more advanced usage of data and analytics,” says Antti Miettunen, Vice President, Wood and forestry solutions, Chairman, PiiMega.

PiiMega is a software product company located in Oulu, Finland. PiiMega is digitalizing forestry and sawmill industry.

Photo: Antti Miettunen, Chairman, VP Wood Processing Software at PiiMega Oy

Jan Räsänen will be Heinola Sawmill Machinery’s new Managing Director. The current Managing Director, Kari Kiiskinen will continue on the company’s Board of Directors and as an advisor to the management until autumn 2019.

Kari Kiiskinen has worked for Heinola Sawmill Machinery for more than 30 years, the last 10 years of which as Managing Director. He felt the time was right for a controlled change in the company’s operational management.

Jan Räsänen has experience working in the mechanical forest industry, most recently as a plant manager at Metsä Wood. He joined Heinola Sawmill Machinery in 2014, and worked as Head of the Project Department before his post as Managing Director.

Heinola Sawmill Machinery Inc. is the only supplier in Finland concentrating on development of high-quality drying kiln technology.

As part of the process to achieve its fossil-free targets by 2030, Södra is now earmarking an investment of SEK 20 million ($2.2 million) for the additional costs arising from the choice of new and sustainable transport solutions.

“As one of Sweden’s largest transport purchasers, we have a major responsibility. We want to show the way to a sustainable transport future and this investment will show that we are very serious about achieving change, and inspiring others to follow our lead,” said Lars Idermark, President and CEO.

The earmarked funds will increase opportunities for working long-term without affecting the day-to-day operations. Södra has previously communicated its investments in liquid biofuel production through its two joint ventures, SunPine and Silva Green Fuel, and its own production of biomethanol.

“We are following our roadmap for “A Fossil-Free Södra,” alongside of our efforts to promote the supply, demand and policy instruments that will enable a profitable transition, and to become a role model for others to follow. With this investment of SEK 20 million ($2.2 million), we can help to drive demand for new technical solutions,” said Henrik Brodin, Project Manager for “A Fossil-Free Södra.”

Hasslacher plans to invest Euro 30 million in expansion of its Preding site in Austria. Holtec to supply new log sorting line for Hasslacher’s mill in Preding, The project will be realised in summer 2019.

Hasslacher Preding Holzindustrie operates a sawmill with a cutting capacity of 250,000 solid cubic metres and produces finger-jointed solid construction timber, planed goods, pellets as well as special pallets and packaging solutions. In the curse of the new investment, the saw line will be modified and the cutting capacity will be increased to 600,000 solid cubic metres logs.

Furthermore the log yard will be extended. For the first time in the company’s history a Holtec log yard is installed. Hasslacher relies on the tried and tested chainless technology from Holtec as well as on the new milling disc for making pre-cuts.

The Valon Kone type debarker is fed with a max. speed of 130 m/min. By means of the control Gap-ControlTM the log gap is optimized for an ongoing feeding.

Wood-Mizer plans to expand their manufacturing facility in Batesville, Indiana. The expansion project scheduled to begin in March of 2019 will consist of 53,000 additional square feet dedicated to manufacturing the company’s world-leading range of sawmill and wood processing equipment.

With a scheduled completion date of October 2019, the expanded facility will include a total of 132,000 square feet with 124,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing Wood-Mizer’s wide range of wood processing equipment.

“Wood-Mizer is dedicated to providing our customers with a wide range of equipment to satisfy their wood processing equipment needs,” shared Wood-Mizer North America President Darryl Floyd. “This facility expansion in Batesville will allow Wood-Mizer to continue to meet the global demand of our growing range of products that are built right here in Indiana.”

Wood-Mizer offers a complete line of narrowband portable and industrial sawmills, wideband sawmilling equipment, resaws, edgers, kilns, molders/planers, firewood processing equipment, pallet recycling equipment, material handling equipment, bandsaw blades, and blade maintenance equipment for forestry and timber professionals all over the world.

Utilizing John Deere Power Systems technology, the John Deere 644K and 944K Hybrid Wheel Loaders have collectively logged more than 1 million operating hours in the field.

This level of real-world experience is key as more OEMs look to John Deere Power Systems for technologies to reduce emissions, improve fuel economy, and enhance machine performance and reliability.

This milestone follows the announcement that the John Deere family of Stage V engines received official certification.

John Deere was among the first to introduce electric drive technology in off-highway equipment, as it produced the 644K hybrid loader in 2013 and the 944K hybrid loader in 2015. John Deere Power Systems joined forces with John Deere Electronic Solutions to successfully design and implement fully integrated electric drivetrain systems — a concept first introduced at bauma 2016.

Integrated solutions expertise
While off-highway equipment manufacturers continue to explore and evaluate hybrid and electrification solutions for their respective markets, the demands of the end customer for reliability and productivity continue to increase. In response to this, John Deere is developing technology to meet manufacturers at various phases of implementation and development.

“In this emerging market for electrification technology, we are working closely with our OEM customers to understand their application needs,” says Darren Almond, Drivetrain Product Planning Manager for John Deere Power Systems. While the off-highway industry continues to grow and adapt, its demands remain the same. And to that point, a rugged market requires a product that can meet expectations in a variety of applications — whether diesel, hybrid or electric.

“Exceeding 1 million operating hours shows that John Deere has an in-depth understanding of how to make hybrid drivetrain systems work in the field,” says Almond. “We can use our expertise to discover innovative ways to develop reliable, efficient, cost-effective alternatives to traditional drivetrain systems.”

Accounting for the entire system solution will be vital to the successful development of this emerging market. The OEM electrification approach of John Deere seeks to offer integrated solutions that address the interfaces between the electrical generator and/or motors, power electronics, and mechanical interfaces.

A complete, innovative lineup
To accompany its proven hybrid solutions, John Deere Power Systems will showcase new, innovative engine options at bauma 2019. The new 13.6L engine from John Deere will be part of the Stage V lineup for industrial and generator set markets. In addition to the 13.6L engine, John Deere will display its 4.5L EWS engine for the first time. The 4.5L EWS engine serves both the 80 kVA and the 100 kVA markets and expands the non-EGR engine generator drive lineup for Stage V from John Deere.

Because John Deere has experience managing these interfaces and developing a fully integrated system, OEMs can place their confidence in these solutions.

To learn more about new electric solutions, the new 13.6L and 4.5 EWS engines, and the Stage V lineup from John Deere, visit the Power Systems booth at bauma, Hall A4 — Stand 139, 8-14 April, 2019.

In 2018, global trade of lumber fell for the first time in five years, with total trade down 7% year-over-year. The four largest importing countries, the US (-18%), China (-5%), the United Kingdom (-13%) and Japan (-6%) all imported less in 2018 than in the previous year. Much of the decline was the result of weaker economic prospects and reduced housing starts.

Lumber markets – North America
US lumber prices have gone through a historical roller-coaster ride over the past 12 months. Random Lengths’ composite index for southern yellow pine was at $420/m3 in January 2018, peaked at $554/m3 in June and fell to $372/m3 in January 2019.

2018 softwood lumber exports from Canada were down 5% from 2017, with the biggest decline being in shipments to China. A three-year high of 80% of total exports were destined for the US market in the 3Q/18 despite efforts by Canada’s lumber industry to diversify its export shipments. China’s share has fallen from 13% in 2017 to 12% in 2018. The average export price from Canada declined by 28% this fall.

Lumber markets – China
Lumber imports to China fell for two consecutive quarters to reach 5.9 million m3 in the 4Q/18. This matches the pattern from previous years of declining import volumes in the third and fourth quarters of the year. Total imports for 2018 were down 2.3% from 2017 but still the second highest volume on record.

Continued uncertainty about the future of the Chinese economy, decade-low GDP growth in the 4Q/18, and reduced investments in housing and construction have all been factors that have led to slowing demand for lumber in late 2018. Import volumes in January 2019 were up by almost 20% from January 2018, but it is still too early to say if that is just a short-term jump.

Russia’s share of total imports to China has moved up from 55% in the 4Q/17 to 63% in the 4Q/18 as the sawmilling sectors in Siberia and the Far East continue to expand and deliver competitively priced lumber. Shipments from Finland and Sweden have fallen sharply in the past year, from a total of 624,000 m3 in the 4Q/17 to only 335,000 m3 in the 4Q/18, the lowest volume in three years.

Source: Wood Resources International LLC, www.WoodPrices.com

EGGER Ltd welcomed the UK Government’s Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, Claire Perry, to its wood-based materials manufacturing site at Hexham, Northumberland, earlier this month, a trip that comes on the back of concerns raised by the industry about the increasing demand for the UK annual wood basket.

These concerns, which come through the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF), are related to ensuring that wood security is at the forefront of future UK business and energy policy.

“The wood panel manufacturing sector uses 25% of the 11 Mt of wood delivered from UK forestry every year,” EGGER said. “UK manufacturers supply approximately 65% of the total UK annual consumption of wood-based panel products, which can be found in virtually every office, home and workplace across the country and is relied upon by the furniture, house building and construction industries across the UK.”

The minister was joined by Hexham’s local representative Guy Opperman, Northumberland County Council Leader Peter Jackson and Councillor for Hexham East, Cath Homer.

Perry said: “It was a pleasure to be in Hexham with Guy Opperman MP and visit the Egger plant to meet representatives of the wood panel industry and discuss the importance of forestry to the UK Economy. It’s great to see manufacturing firms continuing to invest domestically and bringing highly skilled, quality jobs to the area.”

Hexham’s Member of Parliament, Guy Opperman, said: “I was delighted to welcome Energy Minister Claire Perry to EGGER in Hexham to show off one of our top local employers. It was a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the importance of forestry to Northumberland, and I really hope she takes the message loud and clear about the need to maintain forestry and keep timber costs down on an ongoing basis.”

WPIF Director General, Alastair Kerr, said, “We really appreciate the time and engagement the minister gave to this visit. Being able to showcase first-hand the nature of the industry, its products and processes is extremely valuable as it creates a more informed context to future discussions that we hope to have with the minister and her department”.

John Paterson, Director, EGGER Forestry, said: “It was a pleasure to host this meeting with the minister, where we were able to discuss the impact of energy policy on our wood supply.

“Our industry is at the forefront of sustainable UK manufacturing. I was pleased to show the minister what we are able to manufacture at Hexham to meet the demands of the furniture, interior design and construction sectors. Wood security is vital to underpin our manufacturing capability and future capital investment.”