Plantation harvests on the rise – According to the eighth national inventory of forest resources, the area of national plantation was 69.33 million hectares accounting for 36% of the forest land area in China. The stocking volume of these plantations was 2.483 billion cubic metres, or 17% of China’s forest standing volume.

Between 2009 and 2013 the average annual harvest volume from China’s plantations was 155 million cubic metres. The harvest volume from plantations accounted for 46% of the total harvest, up by 7% on the period of the seventh national inventory.

Source: ITTO MIS Report October

In the 3Q, Acadian Timber Corp. generated net sales of $22.2 million compared to $19.3 million in the prior year period primarily due to a 20% increase in log sales volumes.

Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 30% from 27% in the prior year period as the benefits of higher log sales volumes and stronger sales of higher and better use (HBU) land in Maine were partially offset by higher operating costs due to longer average haul distances.

Net income for the 3Q totaled $9.7 million, or $0.58 per share, compared to $2.8 million, or $0.17 per share, respectively, for the same period in 2016.

“Demand across Acadian’s sawtimber and hardwood pulpwood markets remained strong during the 3Q”, said Mark Bishop, CEO of Acadian. “While seasonally drier than normal summer weather supported strong 3Q log production, annual harvest levels will continue to reflect our long term sustainable targets.”

During the first nine months of 2017, Acadian’s net sales were $57.9 million, reflecting an improvement over the prior year period of $54.4 million primarily attributed to a 15% increase in log sales volumes from favourable harvest conditions throughout the year, particularly for spruce and fir stands.

Adjusted EBITDA improved to $17.3 million from $15.5 million during this period while the Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 30% from 28% benefiting from the aforementioned sales volume increase as well as higher HBU land sales in Maine.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net income improved to $18.5 million, or $1.10 per share, representing an increase of $5.5 million over the prior year period primarily due to higher Adjusted EBITDA as described above and favourable foreign exchange revaluation of U.S. dollar denominated long-term debt.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net income improved to $18.5 million, or $1.10 per share, representing an increase of $5.5 million over the prior year period primarily due to higher Adjusted EBITDA as described above and favourable foreign exchange revaluation of U.S. dollar denominated long-term debt.

Acadian Timber Corp. is a leading supplier of primary forest products in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern U.S.

Komatsu Forest has a new Global After Sales Manager – Bernd Rauser has since the year 2000 been active as Managing Director of Komatsu Forest GmbH. Now new challenges are waiting, that he is eager to face.

Komatsu Forest is in a phase where the company invests in growing within the aftermarket offering. The aim is to continuously improve the business models, and to grow on existing and new markets. Bernd, with his experience and deep knowledge of the forest industry, is now leading this exciting process.

I see it as a very exciting time to get into. Our aftermarket has tremendous potential to grow even more. As a company, we should be at the forefront of our offering, and there are smart technological solutions that we are currently working a lot with. We will continue to focus on that.

Furthermore, Bernd explains that a challenge as a Global After Sales Manager is the overall perspective. There are big differences between various markets and customer needs differ.

There are many pieces that are connected to each other. It’s important that each piece fits in the other to get an excellent overall offer. Our offer ranges from a small spare part screw to training to smart connected machines. It is a huge spread.

Bernd has been working for Komatsu Forest for 18 years, but the forest has always been present for Bernd. His parents were forest owners and he grew up close by the Black Forest (forested mountain range in southwest Germany). And now he sees exciting times for the forest industry:

The demand for wood and paper products is growing. From a sustainability perspective, it will be necessary to grow, and in even more places around the world. There are large forest markets where mechanization also becomes a natural part of the development.

Bernd is now stationed at the head office in Umeå, Sweden, and during the autumn his wife Beate will also move to Umeå.

Jyri Kylä-Kaila (39) has been appointed managing director of Epec Oy, a subsidiary of Ponsse, starting from 1 January 2019. Kylä-Kaila will report to Ponsse Plc’s President and CEO Juho Nummela, and he will be located in Seinäjoki.

Jyri Kylä-Kaila will transfer to his new position from Valmet Automotive where he has worked in various research and development, sales and marketing tasks since 2011. Kylä-Kaila will transfer to Epec Oy from the position of director of electric powertrains at Valmet Automotive. Kylä-Kaila has studied master’s degree in industrial engineering.

Teemu Raitis, Epec’s current managing director, will leave the company on 30 November 2018. Petri Härkönen, Ponsse Plc’s CFO, will be the acting managing director of Epec Oy during December 2018.

Epec Oy is Ponsse Group’s subsidiary located in Seinäjoki, Finland. It designs and manufactures control systems for mobile work machines, electronics and software for demanding conditions. Epec Oy was founded in 1978, and it has been the manufacturer of PONSSE information system products since 2004.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Juho Nummela, President and CEO, Ponsse Plc, tel. +358 400 495 690

DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd
Principal media
www.ponsse.com

Photo: Jyri Kylä-Kaila (39) has been appointed managing director of Epec Oy.

Rayonier Inc. reported 3Q 2018 net income of $23.4 million, or $0.18 per share, on revenues of $200.9 million. This compares to net income of $24.7 million, or $0.19 per share, on revenues of $184.4 million in the prior year quarter.

3Q 2018 operating income was $46.4 million versus $39.3 million in the prior year period. 3Q 2018 Adjusted EBITDA was $83.3 million versus $69.3 million in the prior year period.

“Following a very strong first half of the year, we are pleased to report 3Q results above expectations, largely driven by a timberland sale in New Zealand,” said David Nunes, President and CEO. “Southern Timber results reflect 2% lower harvest volumes and a 3% increase in pine pulpwood stumpage prices relative to the prior year quarter, as wet weather conditions hindered harvest efforts but positively impacted pulpwood pricing.

Overall, weighted-average stumpage prices in Southern Timber decreased 1% due to the geographic mix of sawtimber harvest volumes and the impact of tariffs on China export volume. Pacific Northwest Timber results improved versus the prior year quarter driven by 23% higher harvest volumes as well as higher delivered sawtimber and pulpwood prices, partially offset by higher cut and haul costs.”

Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand.

Sappi North America appoints Alexander “Sandy” Taft as director of sustainability. Taft will work cross-functionally within Sappi’s North American operations to drive sustainability strategy and execution. Taft will also work with counterparts in Sappi’s European and South African offices to ensure consistency with global sustainability goals.

Taft joins the company from National Grid, a U.K.-headquartered energy delivery company, where he was most recently the Director of Environmental and Sustainability Policy for its U.S. subsidiary. He brings a strong background in U.S. energy and environmental policy, as well as a collaborative approach to global policy development.

Taft will also join the Two Sides North America Board of Directors as a member this fall. Two Sides is a non-profit, global initiative by companies from the graphic communications industry including forestry, pulp and paper, among others.

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp.
View Sappi North America here.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. reported net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, of $72 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $74 million, or $0.82 per share, in the same period in 2017. Sales were $976 million in the quarter, an increase of $118 million from the year-ago period.

Excluding special items, the company reported net income of $66 million, or $0.71 per share, compared to a net loss, excluding special items, of $3 million, or $0.03per share, in the 2Q 2017.

“Overall positive price momentum and improved operational performance led to record profitability this quarter. Our strong financial results allowed repayment of $105 million of debt during the quarter, significantly improving our balance sheet and leverage,” said Yves Laflamme, president and CEO. “We are also very pleased that the countervailing duty order on supercalendered paper has recently been revoked, resulting in a $60 million refund of duty deposits over the coming months.”

Resolute Forest Products is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including market pulp, tissue, wood products, newsprint and specialty papers, which are marketed in close to 70 countries.