Brent Guild has been appointed Executive General Manager, New Zealand, by OneFortyOne – He replaces Lees Seymour, who resigned from the role in late 2020.

“We are very pleased to confirm Brent’s appointment,” says OneFortyOne Chief Executive Officer, Andy Giles Knopp. “Brent has been working as General Manager Forests for OneFortyOne New Zealand since 2019 and as one of two acting leaders for the New Zealand team for the past several months. In this role he has made a significant impact on the business, particularly during a difficult 2020.”

Brent said that he is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities offered by the role. “Our industry is an important contributor to the Nelson Tasman and Marlborough regions. We have very committed teams in both the forest and the mill, and I am looking forward to working with them and better understanding the aspirations of our stakeholders,” says Brent.

Brent Guild’s appointment as Executive General Manager, New Zealand, became effective 1 March 2021.

Source: OneFortyOne

Since 1928, the forest has been central to Hultdins, and from those early days there has been refinement work that is constantly present and permeates their business. For more than 90 years, they have developed forestry products for the whole world. To constantly develop both the company and the products is part of Hultdins DNA. Therefore, they challenge the market and themselves to continuously improve their products that make it easier for contractors to work smarter and not harder.

Hultdins recently appointed CEO, Mr Tobias Åman, with many years of experience in the industry says. “- I am honoured to take over as CEO and to be given the opportunity to lead a company with such a strong brand, expertise and innovative power. I look forward to, together with both employees and customers, take the next step in the company’s development and to continue creating innovative and sustainable solutions for efficient forestry.”

Hultdins headquarter is in Malå in northern Sweden, where the counties of Västerbotten and Lapland meet. This is also where they have their manufacturing plant with a machine line-up of highest international standard.

NC-controlled edge presses and milling machines, as well as welding robots and painting facility. Brantford, Canada, is home to their wholly owned sales company Hultdins Inc.

Today Hultdins product program include SuperCut saw units, SuperGrip log grapples, MultiGrip multiuse grapples, SuperGrip RG purpose-built rail industry grapple, SuperSaw attachments and hydraulic damping systems- HDS.

Supercut 100S

“Every other tree in the world is harvested with a Hultdins SuperCut – and that says a lot about the knowledge we have accumulated over the years. Our goal is to make your work as painless as possible.” Anders Strömberg, Hultdins sales department.

Hultdins SuperGrip forestry grapples are the industry standard on forwarders, and commonly used also on timber trucks. They are divided in to three series of grapples to meet different market demands around the world.

Hultdins MultiGrip, multi-use grapples are for fixed mount use on excavator-based machines. They incorporate over 50 years of experience from Hultdins log grapple designs. The MG grapples are offered in configurations with Indexator XR rotators and all tiltrotator brands and coupler types.

“Today we have a SuperSaw family of several different models. There are saw units available with .404” or 3/4″ saw chain and optional saw bar lengths. Saw motor sizes from 10cc to 40cc. So, I would say that we have an alternative for every need of cutting logs or bundles of logs as well as biomass. The tree care industry is also a growing market for our lightest saws”, explains Jörgen Hultdin.

SuperSaw 555S

Hultdins damping system (HDS) enables you to work faster and improves the machine’s service life – as well as your health. Hydraulic oil is an excellent means to use in cylinders to transfer force because it is so incompressible. But this incompressibility also means that it transmits vibrations and jolts that fatigue both the machine and the operator. The dampers from Hultdins reduce these undesirable forces without decreasing the machine’s performance, on the contrary the productivity increases.

For more information: www.hultdins.com

Lucidyne is proud to announce the addition of Taylor Trammel to its sales team as Sales Representative focusing on the West Coast region.

Taylor joined Lucidyne in 2018 working as a Grading Support Specialist, working directly with customers on using Lucidyne’s system technology and grading optimization. Taylor has extensive experience working in sawmill and planer mills, having held internships in both quality control and safety procedures at Hampton Lumber and Roseburg Forest Products.

In conjunction, Taylor studied Wood Science and Business at Oregon State University. Lucidyne is the premier manufacturer of scanning, optimization, and automation systems, delivering unparalleled results to the wood products industry. Taylor is based in Lucidyne’s Corvallis, Oregon headquarters and will be traveling extensively through the region.

Komatsu’s D71EX/PX-24 dozer has a slant-nose design and pushes with 237 horsepower

 With a distinctive slant-nose design and 237 horsepower, Komatsu’s new D71EX/PX-24 dozer is among the most powerful hydrostatic transmission (HST) dozers in the mid-size class.

The manufacturer said the earthmover – Komatsu’s largest HST dozer, ranging from 49,824 to 50,927 lbs – is effective at grading, pushing, side-cutting and working on soft ground.

The D71-24 joins Komatsu’s family of mid-size dozers ranging from 40,830 to 56,337 lbs operating weight. There are now 16 models in the class.

The size and power combination helps operators maintain ground speed while operation under heavy loads in H mode, Komatsu said, and the slant-nose design improves visibility to the cutting edges.

According to the company, the D71-24 is “an all-around dozer” and can handle job sites including golf course construction and highway projects.

The new model is available with Komatsu’s Machine Control 2.0 capabilities such as lift layer control, tilt steering quick surface creation and proactive dozing control, which help optimize productivity, the manufacturer said.

The D71PXi-24 made its global premier at CONEXPO-CON/AGG last March

This latest dozer release comes months after Caterpillar introduced its highly customizable, large-size Cat D9 Dozer in September 2020.

John Deere expands its skidder lineup with the new 768L–II Bogie Skidder, a purpose–built machine designed to navigate wet and steep slope conditions.

The 768L–II features heavy–duty bogie axles, outstanding tractive ability and floatation, increasing durability and performance in challenging conditions. Additionally, a new arch design expands visibility while a long wheelbase and improved boom–arch envelope increase dexterity and maneuverability in the woods, significantly boosting productivity and performance.

The bogie skidder incorporates the customer–favorite features found in the L–II machines, including a comfort–boosting cab, redesigned electrical and hydraulic systems, and industry–exclusive Continuously Variable Transmission

John Deere introduces the new six–wheel 768L–II Bogie Skidder, a true woodland warrior designed to conquer wet conditions and steep slope terrain. Incorporating the proven, durable features found on the John Deere L–II Skidder lineup, the new 768L–II maximizes productivity, performance, and comfort when carrying hefty loads over long distances in challenging conditions.

“Profitability and productivity are critical in the woods, and as loggers take to new areas for jobs, they need dependable machines that are built with these niche applications in mind,” said Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, John Deere. “With our new 768L–II Bogie Skidder, we’re delivering a purpose–built machine that navigates tough terrain, such as swamps or steep slopes. Providing distinct features, the John Deere bogie skidder helps loggers maximize their potential, regardless of the conditions.”

The 281–horsepower 768L–II features heavy–duty bogie axles, which incorporate large components to maximize durability and stability for long axle and tire life. The heavy–duty axles are purpose–built for tough applications, effortlessly pulling heavy loads and maneuvering tough terrain. The smooth, stable operation results in reduced machine vibration, ultimately minimizing operator fatigue. Another key feature is the excellent tractive ability and floatation. When combined with the bogie axles, ground pressure is reduced, allowing the 768L–II to work in wet terrain not accessible with a four–wheel skidder. As a result, the harvesting window is extended, adding more working days to the calendar.

The new arch design provides the operator with an expansive rearward view of the grapple and work area, providing excellent visibility. Improving maneuverability, the long wheelbase and boom–arch envelope boost reach and lift capability for the boom and grapple, increasing dexterity in the woods. The tight turning radius enhances agility at the landing.

“The John Deere bogie skidder is hands down twice as good as a regular four–tire skidder. It’s just all–around better in my book for productivity and ground disturbance,” said Jason Dawson of Triple J Logging. “With the 768L–II, you can carry twice as much of a load, especially in wet conditions and on the steep terrain, without tearing the ground up.”

The 768L–II retains the other customer–favorite features introduced on the L–II product lineup. Streamlined and redesigned electrical and hydraulic systems result in improved uptime and increase guarding and protection of key components. An increased grapple squeeze force and two–speed winch further increase productivity, while articulation steering sensors improve the operator experience.

Highly regarded by customers, all L–Series II models feature a spacious cab, including ample storage space, configurable controls, and an effective HVAC system. Armrest–mounted electrohydraulic controls offer accessible, hand–finger operation of all machine functions, and joystick steering provides smooth control of steer, direction, and ground speed. The industry–exclusive Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) marries the efficiency of a direct–drive transmission with the smoothness of a hydrostatic drive. As a result, CVT provides more power to the ground by sensing the load, increasing torque and tractive effort as needed to maintain the desired speed.

To learn more about the updated 768L–II Bogie Skidder, as well as the full line of John Deere Forestry equipment, visit www.JohnDeere.com or your local John Deere dealer.

Ponsse launches a completely modernised range of Scorpion harvesters, which meets all the requirements of forestry today. The new PONSSE Scorpion takes harvest productivity and ergonomics to the next level and sets a new standard for the operator’s working environment.

The Scorpion harvester was first introduced to the general public in 2013 and has since become Ponsse’s flagship product. Soon after its launch, the Scorpion became a global sales success and an international symbol of responsible forestry. Over 1,200 Scorpions have already been made and can now be found in more than 25 countries around the world.

Now, eight years later, the Scorpion has shed its skin. The stability of the PONSSE Scorpion is in a class of its own and provides power and productivity on environmental terms with small surface pressure. In product development, attention has been paid above all to even better work ergonomics, safety, cabin visibility and usability.

“As earlier, development of the new Scorpion range has been based on feedback from forest machine users, which we have utilized to put the upgrades now being introduced into production. The cabin workspace is now more practical, and the quiet Scorpion landscape office has been developed specifically with the operator’s comfort and ability to keep working in mind,” says Jan Kauhanen, Product Manager, Harvesters, at Ponsse.

The Scorpion is characterised by its visibility and manoeuvrability. One of the most visible improvements is the new one-piece front window, which reaches all the way up to the cabin roof to offer even better visibility and safe working in any weather condition. In addition, the unique crane solution provides excellent visibility in all directions.

Fifth generation PONSSE Opti information system
Besides numerous new features, PONSSE Scorpion and Scorpion King harvesters have been fitted out with an advanced fifth generation PONSSE Opti 5G information system and a completely upgraded user interface. The user-friendly information system is the most modern on the market and its smoothness and speed take the user experience to a completely new level.

“The fully upgraded Opti 5G user interface together with the recently launched Opti8 computer sets a new standard for the usability of Ponsse forest machine information systems. It’s also quick and simple for operators who have used the earlier Opti generation to switch over to using the new Opti 5G system,” explains Markku Savolainen, Product Manager, Equipment Automation at Ponsse.

The Opti 5G information system also enables the PONSSE Harvester Active Crane management system, which gives the harvester a new way to control the crane and work more efficiently. The operator can use Active Crane to control the movement of the harvester head instead of individual crane functions. This allows the operator to concentrate on timber processing rather than crane work. Active Crane is easily controlled using two levers, one of which controls the harvester head height from the ground, while the other controls the direction of the movement. The system also ensures that the crane’s functions slow automatically before the range of movement ends, thereby preventing irritating hits to the mechanical structures and operator. When the operator indicates the required location, Active Crane performs the lift and uses the boom and extension automatically.

PONSSE Opti 5G information system will initially be available at PONSSE Scorpion harvesters at Finnish and Swedish markets, with other areas to follow later.

Watch and read more: www.ponsse.com/ponsse-studio-live#/

Media images: https://bit.ly/3qj1XIO

Hannover Germany. The preparations for LIGNA.21 (27.9. to 1.10.2021) are in full swing. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid 19 pandemic, the leading trade show for the woodworking and wood processing industries is enjoying a high level of commitment from the industry. Seven months before its start, LIGNA is looking at a positive registration level. “The early decision to move LIGNA.21 to autumn was exactly right. In view of the current developments in the global infection situation in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic, this was the only logical measure to give all those involved planning security and the necessary time for preparations. Participation is therefore very positive. Almost 900 companies have already decided to show their on-site presence in the fair. We will again be occupying ten halls and the outdoor area,” says Christian Pfeiffer, Global Director LIGNA & Woodworking Shows at Deutsche Messe, Hannover. “Visitors can already look forward to September and the numerous innovations. There will be plenty to experience and discover, especially with regards to the three focus topics of woodworking transformation, prefab building processes and green material processing.”

The companies are also looking forward to coming together again at LIGNA in Hannover. “We are doing everything we can to provide them with a safe and successful marketplace,” adds Pfeiffer. A comprehensive safety and hygiene concept will apply to the presence in the halls and on the exhibition grounds, which will comply with the regulations in force at that time and will be coordinated with the relevant authorities. Wide aisles, compulsory wearing of masks on the entire grounds and registration of every visitor and exhibitor will, among other things, ensure maximum safety for all participants on the grounds.

Digital packages add to the offering

LIGNA has also added new virtual participation options to its offering for exhibitors with stand space. “This allows companies to present themselves both in the halls and on our LIGNA.digital platform on the internet. The additional digital visibility allows them to increase their reach and expand the opportunities for interaction with existing and new business partners,” says Pfeiffer.

Even companies that are unable to exhibit in Hannover due to possible international travel restrictions need not forego participation in the show. The new virtual participation options on the LIGNA.digital platform enable them to network with all market players as well as journalists from all over the world.

Companies can choose between three digital packages with different services. Depending on the size of the package booked in the S, M and L formats, these include exhibitor presentations, various dialogue functions, live streaming or videos in the LIGNA product media library. For exhibitors with stand space in Hannover, the Digital Package S is included free of charge in the range of services.

The additional LIGNA digital packages also enable visitors who cannot be on site to participate virtually and experience the woodworking innovations at LIGNA.

For more information about LIGNA.21 and the digital formats for exhibitors and visitors, please visit www.ligna.de

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has made the investment decision to build a new bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland. The value of the investment is EUR 1.6 billion and it is the largest investment ever made by the Finnish forest industry in Finland. The construction phase will take approximately two and a half years, and the mill will be completed during the third quarter of 2023.

In addition to the Kemi bioproduct mill, Metsä Group is currently building the world’s most modern sawmill in Rauma, Finland. With these investments, Metsä Group meets the needs of forest owners and its customers even better than before across the entire forest industry value chain and will play a significant role in combating climate change.

“The role of Finnish forests from an ecological, economic and social point of view is important in our development work. We are constantly improving methods of managing commercial forests to safeguard biodiversity and increase the positive climate impact of forests. Vibrant forestry brings prosperity to the whole country. We make  products for people’s everyday lives from Finnish wood. Metsä Group’s strategic goals include increasing the value of Finnish forests, profitable growth together with customers, increasing the production of wood products which store carbon for a long time, replacing products made of fossil-based raw materials with wood-based products, discontinuing the use of fossil fuels and increasing the production of renewable energy. Rauma sawmill and Kemi bioproduct mill contribute to all these goals,” says Ilkka Hämälä, President and CEO of Metsä Group.

Significant positive economic impacts for the whole of Finland

Kemi bioproduct mill will increase the annual value of Finland’s exports by approximately EUR 0.5 billion, and the positive annual income effect in Finland from wood sales and domestic purchases will also be approximately EUR 0.5 billion. The new bioproduct mill will secure the 250 jobs in the existing pulp mill in Kemi for decades to come. All in all, around 500 persons work in the Metsä Group’s Kemi mill site.

A significant part of the pulp produced at the Kemi bioproduct mill is processed into high-quality linerboard at the mill site at Metsä Board’s mill. In this connection, Metsä Board has decided to increase the capacity of the linerboard mill.  The Kemi bioproduct mill will create around 1,500 new jobs across its entire direct value chain in Finland, most of them in wood sourcing. All in all, approximately 2,500 people will work in the direct value chain of the Kemi bioproduct mill in Finland.

The Finnish companies have been competitive, and the Kemi bioproduct mill project’s degree of Finnish origin is estimated to be very high, approximately 70%. During the construction phase, the employment impact will be nearly 10,000 person-years and more than half of it will be located in Kemi. The number of individual persons working in the mill area during the construction phase is estimated to be around 15,000.

“The large project will have significant positive impacts on Kemi region and the whole country. In the supplementary budget for 2020, the Finnish government has allocated funding for investments in the Northern Finland transport network. The commitment of the public sector to infrastructure development that supports the mill operations is very important. We are pleased with the active and open dialogue with ministers, officials and other stakeholders during project’s pre-engineering. In this challenging situation Finland needs responsible investments to bring faith in the future,” Hämälä continues.

The ecological sustainability program ensures even more responsible wood procurement 

Wood required by the mill will be procured from sustainably managed forests, and the origin of the wood is always known. The Kemi bioproduct mill will use approximately 7.6 million cubic metres of pulpwood a year, which is 4.5 million cubic metres more than the current pulp mill in Kemi. Wood is planned to be procured mainly from Finland. The availability of high-quality wood raw material is supported by the strong owner base of Metsäliitto Cooperative. The wood procurement to Kemi mill will expand to Sweden in the future, from where it is estimated that approximately one million cubic meters of wood will be procured annually.

Metsä Group wants to be a forerunner in responsible wood procurement. With the ongoing ecological sustainability programme, Metsä Group takes various measures to enhance the growth and carbon sequestration of forests, safeguards the biodiversity of forest nature and improves water protection associated with forestry work. The new bioproduct mill in Kemi will increase the supply of wood from peatlands. Acting correctly for the climate and growth of trees in peatlands requires special expertise, and the role of continuous cover forest management will increase.

Metsä Group’s unique bioproduct mill concept

The way Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, renews its mills is based on the company’s unique bioproduct mill concept, the core of which is the resource-wise use of the wood raw material and side streams of production. In the concept, the renewable wood raw material and production side streams are used in full as different bioproducts, thus replacing fossil-based materials and fossil fuels. The first totally new mill using the concept is the Äänekoski bioproduct mill that was started in 2017.

The Kemi bioproduct mill will produce some 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp per year, as well as many other bioproducts. It will also produce 2.0 TWh of renewable electricity per year, which equals to roughly 2,5 percent of Finnish total electricity production and together with Äänekoski bioproduct mill roughly 5 per cent. The new mill will replace the current pulp mill in Kemi, which has reached the end of its lifespan. An impairment loss of approximately EUR 42 million is expected to be recorded on the assets of the Kemi’s current pulp mill as an item affecting comparability in the first quarter of 2021.

“The demand for Nordic softwood pulp continues to grow globally. With the new bioproduct mill in Kemi we will be an even stronger partner for the sustainable growth of our customers. The Kemi bioproduct mill is a global leader in environmental, energy and material efficiency. The mill will also create the basis for development of a local industrial ecosystem with new bioproducts and partnerships, as has been the case in Äänekoski. No fossil fuels will be needed in production, and renewable energy in the form of electricity, wood-based fuels and heat will be sold from the mill to external customers,” says Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre.   

The Kemi bioproduct mill will be built using the best available technology. The technological level meets and even exceeds the EU BREF requirements. Despite the clearly increased production compared with the current Kemi pulp mill, the new bioproduct mill will stay below the emission limits of the current environmental permit of the existing mill. The environmental impacts will be minimised, and noise control, for example, has already been taken into consideration during the pre-engineering phase, both regarding construction and production of the mill. The Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland granted the environmental and water supply permits to the Kemi bioproduct mill in December 2020.

The main partners for the construction project are Valmet, ABB, AFRY and Fimpec. The project will be implemented as buyer-driven subcontracting, which also allows for the participation of smaller companies. For local businesses, the mill investment will create demand directly related to the mill construction. In addition, the services used by the people working for the project will significantly increase the demand for services in the Kemi region.

“We have worked systematically and the bioproduct mill project has progressed according to plan. The mill site has been prepared for construction work, pre-engineering of the entire project has progressed well. We want the best professionals in each field as our partners. We require commitment to safety, prevention of grey economy, high-quality and schedules. Implementing the bioproduct mill project also requires local businesses and employees from the Kemi economic area for various tasks, such as civil engineering and installation work and the provision of services and commodities,” says Jari-Pekka Johansson, Director of the bioproduct mill project at Metsä Fibre.

Financing on solid ground

Of the total investment to the Kemi bioproduct mill, EUR 1.6 billion, 40% will be financed with domestic equity and 60% with debt financing. The debt financing primarily consists of EUR 500 million 10 year-loan guaranteed by Finnvera with an 80% risk share, EUR 200 million 10-year loan guaranteed by the Swedish Eksportkreditnämnd (EKN) with a 95% risk share, EUR 200 million 15-year loan by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and EUR 100 million five-year Green Term Loan with eight commercial banks.  In addition, Metsä Fibre has renewed the EUR 200 million revolving credit facility (RCF) maturing in June 2021 with a similar and five-year arrangement, the financing margin of which is tied to the company’s key sustainability indicators.

For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Juha Laine, Senior Vice President, Communications, Metsä Group, juha.laine@metsagroup.com, tel. +358 10 465 4541

Metsä Fibre

Metsä Fibre is a leading producer of bioproducts, biochemicals and bioenergy. Metsä Fibre is the world’s leading producer of bleached softwood pulp and a major producer of sawn timber. Currently employing approximately 1,300 people, the company’s sales in 2019 totalled EUR 2.2 billion. Metsä Fibre is part of Metsä Group.

Follow Metsä Fibre: Twitter  LinkedIn

Metsä Group

Metsä Group is a forerunner in sustainable bioeconomy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsä Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and greaseproof papers.

In 2019, Metsä Group’s sales totalled EUR 5.5 billion, and it employs approximately 9,300 people. Metsäliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsä Group and is owned by approximately 100,000 Finnish forest owners.

Source: Metsa Fibre

https://www.metsafibre.com/en/media/all-news/Pages/news.aspx?EncryptedId=C050715E3EA3C961&Title=MetsaGroupbuildsanewbioproductmillinKemi,Finland

Pan Pac Forest Products plans to substantially upgrade the sawmill log infeed system at its Whirinaki (Hawke’s Bay) site in New Zealand.

The investment (at approximately NZ$13 million) to replace the sawmill log infeed system originally installed in the early 1980s highlights the continued commitment of Pan Pac’s shareholder Oji Holdings, said Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Cliifford.

‘Such strategic investments have helped to establish Pan Pac as New Zealand’s largest appearance grade exporter of premium lumber,’ said Mr Clifford. ‘In addition, we remain committed to the growth of the local manufacturing sector.’

Pan Pac has operated the sawmill at Whirinaki since 1974, while its second sawmill in Milburn, Otago was established in 2015.

Springer Maschinernfabrik GmbH has been awarded the contract for the project utilising local companies Lakeland Steel Limited and Design Manufacture & Installation from Rotorua. Pan Pac General Manager – Lumber Michael Reaburn said Springer’s expertise, industry leading approach and competitiveness made the decision clear for Pan Pac.

‘Pan Pac has a strong history of adopting international technology to enhance operations and improve lumber quality for our global customers from a New Zealand manufacturing base,’ said Mr Reaburn. The installation date is set for a planned shutdown period in late 2022, to allow for full engineering supply from Europe and the safe installation adjacent to the existing log infeed to minimise downtime.

Source: Pan Pac