International Forest Industries Magazine October 2009

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CONTENTS O C T O B E R

2 0 0 9

32

35

Russian timber bank

Making the most of the unquestionable opportunities in Russia is a difficult and lengthy process but those prepared to be patient can make the timber bank pay.

29

12 Tyres and chains Forest professionals are experiencing an improved quality of service from tyre and chain manufacturers who are battling it out for market share with increasingly specialised forestry products.

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20 Sorting and Shifting You've got the most out of your raw material and you're ready to ship a complex variety of orders to market. Now, where has all sawn wood gone?

32 Operation Focus: Sweden

12

An operator control and visualisation concept developed jointly with Siemens is now a standard feature of EWD sawlines.

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41 Operation Focus: UK The basic timber crane under the Botex brand is manufactured in the UK but has found an international market thanks to its simple design and low maintenance requirements

R E G U L A R F E AT U R E S

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4 Sawpoints 10 World Markets 29 High Profile 39 Biomass 43 Cutting Edge

COVER – EWD Edger optimiser system OptimesLine EWD is the manufacturer of innovative and custommade solutions for state-of-the-art sawing technologies in sawmills and a general supplier of complete sawmills. Knowledge based on 145 years of industry experience is channelled into developing sawmill machinery for tomorrow. Across all three EWD technology-ranges – bandsaw, edger optimiser, and circularsaw and profiling technologies – EWD has always focused on stable value quality.

The edger optimiser system OptimesLine (pictured) stands for maximum value yield in the performance class of 30–50 boards/minute. The high flexibility of this system encompasses different mechanised board manipulation solutions, various scanning systems including grade scanning, and a choice of flexible top arbor saw units for almost all requirements. www.ewd.de

OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 1

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OPERATION FOCUS ISSUE 12

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 583 emma@internationalforestindustries.com Annual Subscription UK and Europe £160, €230 Rest of the world US$270 EDITORIAL T: +44 (0)1442 877 583 F: +44 (0)1442 870 617 www.internationalforestindustries.com 2 Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2AF, UK Editorial Director John Chadwick john@internationalforestindustries.com Editor Chris Cann chris@internationalforestindustries.com Editorial Board Dr Patrick Moore – Chairman and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit (Canada) Darren Oldham – Managing Director Söderhamn Eriksson (UK) Allan Hansard – Chief Executive of the National Association of Forest Industries (Australia) Professor Piotr Paschalis-Jakubowicz – Warsaw Agricultural University (Poland) Andre de Freitas Forest Stewardship Council Head of Operations Eduardo Morales South American Forestry Consultant ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Advertising Manager Phil Playle phil@internationalforestindustries.com Group Advertising Manager David Lansdowne david@internationalforestindustries.com +44 (0)1442 87 77 77 Design & Production CSDA – csims@nildram.co.uk Publishing Consultant Robin Peach robin@internationalforestindustries.com Advertising Production Enquiries Emma Smith emma@internationalforestindustries.com International Forest Industries is published

by International Forest Industries Ltd, 2 Claridge Court, Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2AF, UK Periodicals Postage Paid at Rahway NJ and at additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: send address changes to International Forest Industries c/o DHL Global Mail, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, New Jersey, NJ 07001.

Printed by Broglia Press, Dorset, UK © International Forest Industries Ltd 2007 ISSN 1755-6732 IFI uses, as preference, SI units throughout.

All dollars are US unless otherwise stated.

2 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

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OCTOBER 2009

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Is Russia forestry’s China?

I

t may be happening at snail’s pace but at least it’s happening. The recovery of the global economy is underway albeit at a frustratingly slow rate.

Unfortunately for forestry suppliers, and the sawmill industry in particular, this feeble recovery will take a while to materialise into dollars, which will only happen once genuine growth initiates new building projects in the construction industry.

That said, it’s been worse for some than it has been for others and there have been opportunities for entrepreneurial thinkers in the current market. These opportunities, however, reside at traditionally alternative addresses.

I’m talking chiefly about Russia. It’s a recurring theme and one that should never be far from the minds of any forest industry stakeholder. The ‘timber bank’ has by far the largest forestry reserve in the world and thanks to the ongoing political uncertainty of doing business in the East, the majority of that reserve is still available for large scale exploitation.

As a journalist with some experience in the mining sector, I can’t help but draw comparisons between Russia and China. There are obvious differences: for instance China is driving the mining industry through demand and project financing, while Russia is stimulating opportunities for forestry groups with its natural resource and changing forestry legislation.

But the similarities are striking. They are two of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies, earmarked to be the drivers of global commodity demand for the next couple of decades. And though both countries present cultural challenges in the way they conduct business, they remain the only shining lights for their respective sectors at a time when most others face the wall. It’s noteworthy that China, the world’s only notable exception within the idle construction sector, is doing its bit for forestry too (see World Markets pp 11).

Whether Russia has the ability to be to forestry what China has been to mining is debatable, particularly without the ability to almost single-handedly drive the demand side of the equation as China does. But Russia’s position as a haven of opportunity is unquestionable.

I spoke to Russ Kurtz for this edition of International Forest Industries (High Profile pp pp29). Russ heads up global attachments group

Waratah Attachments and said one of the company’s strategies in this recession was to redeploy human resources from sagging markets like Canada into Russia, to bring its operations there up to speed.

I also chatted with Rod Whyte, Chairman of EastWest Timber, who has seen the dollar signs flashing in bold neon lights across the border from his Estonian sawmill. Whyte, a life-time entrepreneur and not surprisingly a man with extensive experience in the mining sector, is convinced of Russia’s potential and has outlined a clear strategy to exploit that potential.

The major part of that strategy has been to use EastWest’s established Estonian management team to work closely with the Russian people at every level and, rather than fighting new legislation, using it to the company’s advantage. This business model has so far attracted several millions of Euros in private investment. Companies looking to make an entry into Russia could do worse than reading of Whyte’s experiences for inspiration (Opening an account with the Russian timber bank, pp 35).

The global economy is on its way North again, finally, but from all reports it is going to be a long and painful road back to prosperity for traditional forestry markets in North America and Western Europe. In the meantime, my advice, look east.

Chris Cann E D I TO R

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SAWPOINTS

Valutec acquires WSAB to strengthen its Nordic wood drying position The Valutec Group has taken what it considers to be an “additional step in a long-term commitment to ensure international competitiveness for Nordic wood drying technology” by acquiring wood drying specialist WSAB’s operations. The deal aims to combine the Nordic region’s leading expertise within the field under the same roof and strengthens Valutec’s leadership position in Europe.

“Nordic wood drying technology has a good reputation in both Europe and the world. It is important to maintain it,” Valutec Chief Executive Thomas Lundmark said. “With the acquisition of WSAB, we are taking an additional step in our strategy to achieve a sustainable volume that increases our cost-effectiveness and can support escalating research and development costs.

“The goal is to ensure

WSAB employees admire a progressive kiln

competitive technology and price positioning for our continued internationalisation. On this journey, WSAB’s successes in the East also represent an important resource.”

Valutec expects operations to be fully integrated during the next

4 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

year. The acquisition will not affect existing agreements and commitments within ongoing projects. Current customers are guaranteed unaltered access to service and support, a reassuring Valutec stated. Both customers and suppliers will be kept informed of the enhanced offer and other changes taking place in order to fully take advantage of all synergies.

“We are entering into a very interesting industrial constellation,” Olov Schagerlund, Lundmark’s opposite number as WSAB, said. “WSAB and Valutec have developed along parallel tracks by serving demanding customers in our home market. In recent years the challenges to an increasing extent have related to the international competitive situation. Together we have the wherewithal to combine necessary strengths within both development and international marketing efforts to ensure our progress.

“I look forward to helping achieve a smooth integration. In this effort I will do my utmost to see that our customers share in the positive effects of this deal as quickly as possible.”

The deal, which was concluded in early Spetember, is the third step in Valutec’s long-term strategy. In 1997 Valmet’s division for wood drying was acquired then, in 2006, ABB’s

corresponding operation was taken over.

With a smooth integration that took customers’ short-term interests into consideration as well, it was possible to achieve both major gains in coordination and a strengthening of the product program, Lundmark said. At the same time greater resources were freed up for close cooperation with Nordic wood research at universities and institutions.

These experiences will be an important resource in efforts to gain the same results with the integration of WSAB’s market volumes and unique strengths.

“WSAB’s expertise and technology will be a valuable asset in our efforts to strengthen and expand our combined product program,” Valutec’s Head of Market Development, Robert Larsson, said. “Today we invest about 6 % of our sales in research and development. Our joint shares of both the Nordic and international markets will provide additional millions for our ‘R&D’ budget.

“With our Nordic roots, we and WSAB both are on the front line of the growing market for progressive kiln drying. This is a position on which we will continue to build through investments in additional improved technology, cost-effectiveness and marketing efforts.”

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SAWPOINTS

Biorefineries needed to facilitate biomass trade Biorefineries are building blocks of the bioeconomy and, as such, boost prosperity and create a substantial amount of jobs in, for example, the procurement of raw materials.

Without biorefineries, it will be difficult to achieve renewable energy targets. This is the message from the Finnish Forest Industries Institute (FFII).

“The renewable, recyclable and biodegradable products of the forest industry form a natural foundation for a Finnish bioeconomy,” Antro Säilä, Senior Vice President in charge of the Business Environment and Innovation division of the FFII, said during his opening speech for the Nordic Wood Biorefinery event in Helsinki. “Next-generation biorefineries are a clear growth area and a new competitive advantage for the forest industry.

“Funding for commercial-scale biorefinery investments must be secured because the development of such large processes is an extremely extensive project for any single actor.

We cannot take advantage of international backing, EU funding sources in particular, without national-level public investments,” Säilä pointed out. “We must establish a functional market for the transport biofuels in Finland in order to prevent these new products from seeking out other markets. It would be quite easy to transport liquid biofuels to the favourable tax climate of Germany, for example.”

The entire value chain of raw materials and bioproducts must be made competitive in order to attract manufacturing of the industry’s new products to Finland. The high cost of raw materials makes refining unprofitable. Energy

policy and taxation must also provide support for the development of biorefineries.

Säilä said the forest industry had strong competence in the manufacture of renewable, recyclable and biodegradable products as well as suitable modern technologies for this. The networks, research resources and infrastructure that are required for innovation are likewise in good order.

“The role of public sector actors is to spur investment in biorefineries and to safeguard the functionality of the markets,” Säilä continued.

He said the development of new bioproducts was progressing gradually. One of the first steps is the manufacture of biodiesel on a

commercially significant and profitable scale.

“This will provide resources and know-how for the development of new products and technologies, such as biochemicals and pharmaceuticals constituents.”

Biorefineries produce biofuels and biochemicals as well as other biomaterials using wood and its constituents or other biomass as raw material. A pulp mill is already a biorefinery because, in addition to manufacturing raw material for paper and paperboard, it produces bioenergy and biochemicals. It is sensible to exploit wood biomass at biorefineries that are integrated with pulp and paper mills.

UPM and SGS lock in landmark certification agreement UPM and SGS have finalised a global landmark agreement in which the origin of all UPM pulp and paper products will be ensured with a single, global system. For UPM’s customers, the new multi-site certification means a major step towards a simple, standardised way to guarantee the origin of UPM products.

The multi-site certification, signed with one of the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS, ensures that 100% of fibre used for UPM’s pulp and paper products is from forests that are managed responsibly. This unique

agreement brings UPM’s global operations together under two certified chain-of-custody certificates – FSC and PEFC. The multi-site certification covers all UPM’s pulp sourcing activities, pulp and paper mills, and sales offices. The certification continues to allow UPM and its customers to accurately follow the amount of certified wood fibre in their operations and products being distributed worldwide. In addition, it sets a solid base to further increase the share of FSC and PEFC certified fibre in UPM’s products as further forest areas become certified.

6 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

“The project to merge the individual chain-of-custody certificates from 19 operations and 30 sales offices into two global certificates has been a great accomplishment,” UPM Head of Environmental Services, Sami Lundgren, said. “With our key partner SGS we have achieved a global system which is very simple and manageable.”

SGS International Sales Manager Jeff Dowson: “The new program with UPM is the most comprehensive and wide-ranging multi-site certification that exists to date. We are proud and wellpositioned to assist. The wide

The origin of all UPM products will soon be certified geographical coverage of our network, whilst maintaining a good, high level of feedback to UPM from our project management team, ensures maximum benefits from this complex requirement and gives the client the best opportunity to leverage their internal strengths.”

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SAWPOINTS

Green shoots in industry report The manufacturing report from The Institute for Supply Management out recently contained the first ray of sunshine to fall on the United States’ wood products industry since the group first started tracking individual industry performances back in September 2008. Overall activity, new orders and production all increased in that industry in June.

The Federal Reserve’s industrial production and capacity utilisation

reports for June confirm this pickup in wood products activity.

Production improved by 1.8% and capacity utilisation was up 1%. year-on- year, production has fallen 23.8%.

Although new orders and production increased for paper products as well, those improvements were apparently insufficient to boost overall activity. The Federal Reserve’s report indicates that production

was down 0.4% and that capacity utilisation fell by 0.5%. year-onyear production is down 11.1%.

Housing inventories dropped for both existing and new homes in June, and housing starts increased. Though prices still lack stability, it appears we may finally have found the bottom of the housing market, the report speculated. The way up is unlikely to be swift or dramatic, but a tentative start has begun.

June looked like a breakthrough month for the US wood products sector Seasonality is one of the reasons for the improvement, as sales in June are generally higher than May. However, affordability, tax credits and ample available supply are also driving the market.

Certified beer raises Roseburg Forest its head in Italy Products backs up another Carmanah order Vancouver-based equipment provider, Carmanah Design and Manufacturing, received an order in July to supply Roseburg Forest Products in Dillard, Oregon, with a Carmanah 260 mm (65 inch) Advantage Chipper. This chipper will be supplied with a second infeed spout to allow it to efficiently process oversized chips and planer mill waste simultaneously. The chipper is scheduled for delivery to Roseburg’s planer mill next month. In 2008, Carmanah supplied Roseburg with an Advantage Chipper for its sawmill operation in Dillard.

Carmanah designs and manufactures equipment for the forest industry. Located at the present Vancouver site for close to a century, Carmanah provides equipment for the wood products, pulp and paper, and sawmill industries. Providing leading edge technology and equipment to optimise fibre utilisation, the company’s products include disc, drum and veneer chippers for sawmill and pulp mill industries. Carmanah also supplies SmartDISC Stranders, SmartRING Stranders and panel testing equipment, to the oriented strand board market.

The beer industry has taken its first step toward certification

Roseburg representative at Oregon’s Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health awards earlier this year

8 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

The Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Italy has revealed the first beer eligible to carry a PEFC label. The label indicates that the product is linked to sustainably managed forests. The beer, brewed by the Italian-based Gino Perisutti company, contains spruce bark (‘Blonde PEFC Mountain Pale Lager’), mountain pine buds (‘Grand Cru Mountain Amber Ale’), and Scotch pine needles from PEFC certified forests.

The beer was officially launched at the PEFC’s National Member’s Meeting in Geneva at the end of May. Antonio Brunori, Secretary General of PEFC Italia: “While non-

wood forest products play only a minor role in forest certification, they are testimony to the passion of alpine forest owners, who also distil PEFC-certified Mugolio oil (from dwarf pine). Moreover, such products offer great potential to communicate the value of responsible forestry to the public.”

The two beers are brewed with yeast, pure spring water, pale and aromatic barley malts and wheat, noble European and American hops, fair-trade spices, and needles and spruce bark or pine buds from PEFC-certified forest in the Dolomiti Friulane Nature Park, located in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of north-eastern Italy.

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Tigercat expands in Brazil Tigercat has added to the depth and scope of its representation in the all-important forestry equipment market of Brazil with the addition of Brasif Máquinas to its sales and support network.

Brasif’s history has always been strongly linked to the heavy machinery sector. For forty years, the company has been taking part in the growth and development of this segment in Brazil, gaining deep knowledge and establishing a solid operational platform in some of the country’s top economic centres.

This experience, combined with a philosophy of continuous investment in human and technological resources, has made Brasif Máquinas one of the most important distributors of heavy equipment in Brazil, with a strong presence in construction, mining, manufacturing, materials handling, sanitation and agricultural industries.

Offering products from leading manufacturers including Case, Bomag, Hyster, Terex and the agricultural line of New Holland machines, Brasif offers its clients a large network of sales, logistics and after sale support.

Brasif will be the authorised Tigercat dealer in the areas of Minas Gerais, Distrito Federal, Goias, Espiritu Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Tocantins and Rio Grande do Sul. Latin Equipment do Brasil, a full line Tigercat dealer since 2000, will remain the authorised Tigercat dealer for the Brazilian states of Parana, Santa Catarina, and Sao Paulo.

OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 9

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WORLD MARKETS

Black liquor credit saves chip prices: WRI The black liquor tax credit in the US limited the fall of wood chip and pulpwood prices in the second quarter of this year, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review, authored by Wood Resources International

I

n 2008, US pulp companies started to take advantage of a loophole in the US tax law, which will result in an influx of billions of dollars to a struggling industry. As a consequence, prices for wood chips and pulpwood in the US have not fallen as much as they would have without the subsidy, reports the North American Wood Fiber Review (WFR).

A substantial tax credit for black liquor, a byproduct when producing wood pulp, has been a timely injection to the US pulp and paper industry and has changed how many pulpmills have been running their plants over past six months.

The tax credit was originally introduced in 2005 to encourage the use of alternative fuel over fossil fuel for cars and trucks. However, in late 2008, chemical pulp producing mills started to take advantage of the credit that is

M

eanwhile in Sweden, which consumes more than 20% of the world’s wood pellets, pellet demand is growing, according to Wood Resources International’s sister publication, Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ).

Demand for wood pellets and investments in pellet plants continue to grow despite the global financial crises and tight credit markets.

In some countries, the current slowdown in the economy has actually had a positive effect on the biomass industry because politicians have often favoured bioenergy and pellet-heating projects in government-funded economic stimulus packages, reports the WRQ. The bioenergy sector is attracting a lot of attention from the forest industry, timberland owners and, increasingly, from interests with limited past participation in the forest resources sector. Many of these companies have historically been in the business of oil exploitation and energy generation of fossil fuels.

The biggest expansion in the use of forestbased biomass has occurred in Europe, mainly as a result of the decision by EU to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and use a minimum of

10 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

worth somewhere between US$150-200/t of pulp. These additional funds to the US pulp and paper industry, which is estimated to be valued between $3-8 billion in 2009, has been particularly helpful this year because many mills have been running with very low, if any, profit margins, the WFR reported.

Without a doubt, many paper companies would have reduced their production of pulp this year had it not been for the black liquor tax credit. As a consequence of such circumstances, there would have been less demand for wood raw-material and wood fibre prices would probably have been lower in most regions of the US than they actually are.

In the second quarter, wood chips and pulpwood prices fell between 5% and 8% in the US, with the highest decline in the northeast,

20% renewable energy by 2020, the WRQ said.

In order to meet the demand from a fast growing market, Sweden produced almost 1.6 Mt in 2008 and imported another 300,000 t mainly from other countries in Europe but also from Canada. There are no signs portending any slowdown in demand for wood pellets, and the annual growth is expected to be between 8% and 10% in the coming years.

There are currently over 450 pellet-producing plants in Europe with many new projects planned over the next few years. The United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and Germany are some of the countries that are expected to have the fastest growth in forest biomass consumption (both pellets and wood chips) over the next 10 years. These countries will both invest in domestic production capacity and increase imports.

Pellet prices have trended upward the past seven years, as reported in the WRQ. Prices in Sweden have generally been higher than in Central Europe, but in 2009, prices fell the most in Sweden, resulting in a convergence with prices in Germany and Austria. Wood fibre costs are expected to increase later this year, which would result in higher production costs for

according to the WFR. This is the fourth consecutive quarter that wood fibre prices have fallen in the US, with the biggest reductions occurring in western US. In the US south, which is the biggest wood fibre consumer in the world, pulpmills have only experienced minor downward price adjustments in recent months.

It is still uncertain how much longer the tax credit, or subsidy, will be in place. The US administration and a number of senators would like to see the program ended as soon as possible. Therefore, it may very well be that US pulpmills will be running without the support of the US taxpayers.

many pellet manufacturers. As a consequence, it is probable that wood pellet prices will start moving upward again this coming winter after a few months in retreat.

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WORLD MARKETS

China’s economy soldiers on to give strength to wood imports Imports of logs, lumber and pulp to China increased substantially in the second quarter of this year as the country’s economy grew by almost 8%, according to Wood Resources International

T

he Chinese economy continues to positively surprise, with the GDP growing by 7.9% in the second quarter, according to the WRI report, Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). Domestic consumption of forest products has increased, with new construction and remodelling being the major drivers for higher consumption of wood products.

Imports of softwood logs were 51% higher in the three months to June than the previous quarter and 27% higher than in the corresponding period last year, a sign of improved operating rates in the sawmilling and plywood industry, the report said. The biggest increases in imports originated from Russia and New Zealand. Although Russia is still the largest supplier of logs, New Zealand has increased its market share from 10% in the second quarter of last year to 23% for the same quarter this year.

The average import value for softwood logs has been in decline for three consecutive quarters and was down 25% in the second quarter from its peak in the third quarter of 2008. So far this year, Russian logs have cost substantially more than have logs from New Zealand and Australia.

Prices for Chinese fir sawlogs, a common species used by the sawmilling industry in southern China, were 18% lower in the second quarter than at their all-time high last fall, according to the WRQ. Prices for domestic logs, which in general have been higher than those of foreign logs, have also trended southward.

Chinese paper companies have been aggressive buyers of wood pulp in 2009, with import volumes being more than 40% higher the first half of this year as compared to the same period in 2008.

Pulpmills in Latin America have been the major beneficiaries of the recent surge in pulp imports to China. As reported in the WRQ, Brazil has increased its exports of wood pulp to China by over 50% this year.

This is a sign that the Brazilian pulp industry is starting to recover from the weak global demand for pulp and paper products. In April, continued on page 42

Wood pulp ready for export OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 11

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TYRES & CHAINS The Forest Rider from Nokian

Ready to re-Tyre?

Forest professionals are experiencing an improved quality of service from tyre and chain manufacturers who are battling it out for market share with increasingly specialised forestry products Tyres The combination of dedicated forestry tyre research and a policy of evolving product development have resulted in what Alliance Tire Group regards as the most comprehensive range of forestry specific tyres on the market today.

“Now we can say we have a really full range and a diverse range,” R&D and Engineering Director Dr George Ronai, told International Forest Industries. “Some of our competitors are not so strong in the bigger tyres needed for

If someone is offering a full range then they have an advantage – this is obviously our advantage Dr George Ronai from Alliance

The Alliance range of forestry tyres gives OEMs access to the full range of forestry specfic products

12 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

skidders, while some other competitors are not very strong in CTL forestry flotation tyres. We have the widest range” He said being able to provide a full range of tyres for forestry applications gave Alliance a distinct advantage over other manufacturers that perhaps lacked variety because customers could see an advantage in using fewer suppliers. “It gives some advantage because most of the big importers or OEMs don’t want to work with four, five or six suppliers. All importers, after doing their testwork, would like to have one main supplier and maybe one other optional supplier. So if someone is offering a full range then they have an advantage – this is obviously our advantage.”

The Alliance range is divided into four categories: flotation, skidder, agro-forestry and tyres for trailers. Ronai said the range of

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TYRES & CHAINS specialty forestry tyres was the the result of 10 years of research and development. He said the biggest challenge for designing forestry tyres was the tread compound, which was constantly being researched and improved in the lab and in the field. Alliance agro-forestry tyres are steel reinforced, have strong sidewalls, a longer life, and are designed for optimal forest floor compaction.

The two main types of forestry tyres are the Forestar 343 and the Forestar 344. The 343 is the less “aggressive” of the two designs. It is designed to work with bogey trucks on heavier terrains that need better grip such as in heavy snow. The more aggressive 344 is used on

With the radial Forest Rider, the driver was able to sit firmly in place without holding on to the seat and the machine ran over obstacles easier and with less effort than with the crossply tyre that was used as a reference – Nokian

The Forest Rider maintains driver comfort in rocky terrain lighter terrain where traction is the key such as sandy soils.

Nokian Heavy Tyres is one of the world-leading manufacturers of special tyres with a focus on narrow and growing segments – its key product segment is forestry tyres. Most recently, the company introduced its Forest Rider to the market, which it says combines the best features of both cross-ply and radial tyres in one beast. Nokian said that the Forest Rider was a response to the owner’s need to use the

machine in a variety of conditions. In doing so it has created the “world’s first functional radial forestry tyre for CTL machines”.

Product Development Manager Martti Päivinen said the cross-ply structure had been generally considered to be more durable in forestry machines. The problem is that the more rigid structure makes the tyre more vulnerable to vibration, which affects driving comfort.

Radial tyres have a softer character.

Typical radial properties include maximum traction, good cleaning, vibration dampening

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TYRES & CHAINS

We are just now beginning the testing of a new, wider and extended bar for extreme flotation requirements for Baltic markets. Also, we are testing a self-lubricating pressed bushing on the bar holes to determine if it would be cost effective in extending bar life – Matt Noyes from Wallingfords

The Forest Rider uses a cross-ply design for durability and a wider contact area. Thanks to the wider contact area, radial tyres have a lower contact pressure than cross-ply tyres. Therefore, they don’t sink even in soft soil and are, in general, easier on both the driver and the landscape.

■ Unique side puncture protection brings cross-ply-level durability In cross-ply tyres, the body plies are – as the name indicates – crossed, which is an efficient way to block punctures from different directions. Radial tyres have radially positioned body plies, which leaves the tyre vulnerable for puncture, especially on its sidewalls.

Nokian claims to be the first tyre company in the world to have successfully Wallingfords’ combined the best properties of self-lubricating bushing both tyre types: the Forest Rider 14 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

features a unique side puncture protection, which guarantees reliable operation and enables harvesting in demanding conditions, Päivinen explains.

The side puncture protection has increased the tyre’s durability to a level that meets the operating requirements of forestry tyres. The tyre also withstands the additional stress of track use. The optimal tyre combination is always defined jointly with the customer on the basis of terrain and purpose of use.

“Contractors who use tracks all the time could maximise traction and grip by mounting the vibration-dampening Nokian Forest Riders in the front and different tyres, such as Nokian Forest King F, in the rear,” Päivinen added.

■ Relying on years of product development and thousands of test hours An unprecedented novelty on the market, the Forest Rider has naturally aroused a lot of attention especially among machine contractors. Päivinen’s statements about the tyre are backed by internal test results, as well as test results by independent research institutions, and also by direct feedback from users and blind tests.

“We test our products in all usage conditions and all seasons,” the company said. “For example, the tyre’s

The research and development program for the BogieTrax

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TYRES & CHAINS

The BogieTrax single piece cast pad both the original equipment and replacement markets and the company works in close cooperation with OEMs. Key markets, in addition to the Nordic countries, include central and southern Europe, the USA and Canada. Nearly all of the products are manufactured at the plant in Nokia, Finland.

Chain reaction Forestry machines operating in modern

The unique twopiece link assembly, designed to be easily replaced

excellent traction and vibration dampening were nicely proven in the tests at Skogforsk, Sweden, where we simulate both horizontal and vertical obstacles and swinging.

“With the radial Forest Rider, the driver was able to sit firmly in place without holding on to the seat and the machine ran over obstacles easier and with less effort than with the crossply tyre that was used as a reference.”

Vibration caused by uneven terrain is the biggest strain on the driver’s health and wellbeing, especially in forwarders. The vibration, combined with a static working position, particularly stresses the blood

16 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

circulation, nervous system and musculosceletal system.

Authorities have also paid attention to this with the EU issuing a directive dealing with vibration and the employer’s responsibility that sets precise limit values for vibration. In other words, the less vibration, the longer an operator can work with a machine. Consequently, the Forest Rider helps complete more efficient, safe working hours.

Nokian heavy tyres are sold on

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TYRES & CHAINS commercial environments are pushed harder and faster than ever before. Operators need a track that can increase performance and efficiency while reducing impact on the environment. Wallingfords’ BogieTrax has been designed and developed to meet those demands, while enduring the extreme pressure and strain of daily wear and tear. BogieTrax provides increased flotation, low ground pressure, tyre protection, minimal ground disturbance, and increased load capacity.

BogieTrax tracks for harvesters and forwarders are manufactured as a unique single-piece cast pad that incorporates the strap and shoe guide that is traditionally a three piece welded assembly. The unique, fourin-one, single-piece, carbon/manganese alloy cast pad includes the cross-member, stud, link hook, and side support. The combination of a single-piece cast pad for durability, and a unique two-piece link assembly, designed to be easily replaced, offers an industry-first contractor repairable track system.

“BogieTrax offers a simple, inexpensive means of repair – anywhere,” Design and Marketing Director Matt Noyes told IFI. “There’s an old saying that necessity is the mother of invention,” Noyes continued when asked about the development process with BogieTrax, which incidentally took place in the Scottish Highlands over a three-year period. “In talking with contractors for years, their single biggest complaint was that the pad was in good condition after use, but the forged connectors

were worn out. The only way you could replace was to cut the strap and shoe away, then you would need to re-weld everything after replacing the connecting Due to their unique design, U-Form link. It was just cost prohibitive so they would simply purchase a whole new track studs stay upright to provide despite the fact that only a small part of it increased traction – BABAC was worn beyond use.” He said the current bar design was suitable for most machines and ground conditions, providing excellent traction and floatation.

The Wallingfords stand at Elmia Wood in Sweden earlier this year was constantly filled new, wider and extended bar for extreme with dealers and their customers prompting flotation requirements for Baltic markets,” he Noyes to describe the interest as said. “Also, we are testing a self-lubricating “extraordinary”. Many of those visitors had pressed bushing on the bar holes to determine since contacted the company requesting more if it would be cost effective in extending bar information. At Elmia, the company established life.” new distributors for both Norway and Sweden, Wallingfords is also working with the Nokian with part of the distributors’ orders being Tyres 700 series, in ELS and Forest King F tread already established by customers who placed patterns. The company’s engineers are in the orders on site. Since the successful launch, process of developing new mould designs to commercial production has kicked in well and allow for fitting on other brands and models of truly and the focus has turned from educating tyres. the market about the product to manufacturing a suitable volume to meet demand.

American group BABAC marketed globally by The fantastic market reaction has not meant Wallingfords has established itself as an that the Wallingfords’ research and industry leader in design and development of development team is putting its feet up. On the forestry tyre chains for skidders, forwarders, contrary, Noyes said the company recognised and harvesters over the past 25 years. Models the importance of staying ahead of the include single and multiple ‘Diamond’ net type, competition, particularly with patents being so and standard and ‘Multi’ ring models (in single expensive. or multiple wide patterns).

“We are just now beginning the testing of a The company is also the developer of the

OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 17

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TYRES & CHAINS

BABAC’s U-Form stud

unique U-Form stud chains, which produce constant traction on ice and rock; have the best wear characteristics of any chain in the world; and offer a smooth operator ride, according to BABAC. “Due to their unique design, UForm studs stay upright to provide increased traction,” the company stated. “Standard studs, welded on top of chain links, lay over when in contact with the ground.”

The latest products from BABAC include the Mesh, Euro and the Square Grip chains. The Mesh

The open pattern of the BABAC Square Grip chain provides greater self-cleaning

The BABAC Triple Mesh Euro chain is designed to provide greater traction in harsh conditions

chain has a tight pattern to promote greater friction, stopping chains from walking on the tyre. They have superior traction and tyre protection featuring the U-Form stud design. The Euro style was designed and built for forwarders and harvesters with tighter clearances. They are used with European plug coupling connectors and non-studded, outside rails.

Featuring U-Form studs, the Euro style provides traction and protection. Square Grip chains feature oversize studs for added

traction and durability and an open pattern for ease of self-cleaning.

This type of chain is suitable for industrial loaders and forestry equipment that require traction on snow, mud, ice and rock.

18 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

OFA tyre chains claims to give better traction in all conditions.

The company is the largest manufacturer of forest machine tyre chains in the world having established its reputation in the forestry sector over the last 100 years.

“For ideal traction in demanding ground or weather conditions the combination of right chain and tyre is crucial,” OFA stated. “We offer a wide range of chains for all forestry machines, agricultural applications as well as snow chains for transport. The OFA brand is used by several of the big forestry machine manufacturers worldwide and for some of them, OFA is the OEM supplier. We also are in close cooperation with the Nokian Heavy Tyres manufacturer to ensure an ideal fit of the chains on the latest new tyre sizes on the market.”

OFA chains are manufactured from a heat-treated boron alloy steel to deliver one of the market’s best chain qualities, with hardness and strength the defining features and excellent traction and tyre protection the end result. OFA is also proud of its long working life and low maintenance requirements.

The company has been supplying dealers from the North American market with a different range of forestry chains like heavy duty lug/ring chains for skidders, however, its best known and popular forestry chain is the Matti W chain in all of its variations -

single diamond, double diamond, triple diamond with normal or tight tyre side wall protection. This chain is also available with a UStud for even more traction.

In snow chains, OFA has a range of dual or single tyre designs for log hauling trucks operating in demanding terrain that requires lateral grip. The chains come with or without studs and range the light 5 mm variety to the heavier 9 mm diameter product.

Clark Tracks Ltd manufactures a range of quality tracks to suit all types of rubber tyre forest machines, tyre types and ground conditions.

Over the last 20 years the company has built a reputation for producing highly engineered products matched with an excellent service record leading to the company gaining a significant market share in a highly competitive market place. They currently supply many of the leading forest machine manufacturers worldwide.

All their Forest Machine Tracks are manufactured from special boron alloy steel which is heat treated for maximum hardness and toughness by special induction heating processes.

Specially designed and manufactured steel sections and forgings are used to give high performance combined with maximum working life. Each set of tracks is specifically manufactured for use with tyres for which it is

Clark Tracks Terralite TL85

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TYRES & CHAINS offering Flotation (e.g. Flotation, TXL or TXCL) on soils that are too soft to support an untracked vehicle and minimize the ecological effects of soil compaction at the other end. In between there are multiapplication tracks with good performance in a range of

conditions, such as Terra and Grouzer.

Gunnebo Superstud and Megastud are the best known forestry chains in Europe.

Gunnebo Industries started in 1762 with the production of nails, and has produced lifting chains

since 1855 and traction chains since 1930, originally for trucks and cars. Gunnebo has worked with all leading forestry machine producers since mechanisation started with forwarders and skidders 50 years ago, and now have a range of chains that have continued on page 48

FlotationLite – FL16 intended in order to ensure total tyre/track compatibility. Their design philosophy is to produce ‘perfect fit’. Perfect Fit to the tyre ensures longer track and tyre life, less maintenance and superior traction between track and tyre.

There is a wide range of tracks in the range, from those offering Traction (e.g. Rocky or Grouzer) at one end of the spectrum, to those

OFA Matti 11/2

Produced in 11 mm twisted chain.

Double or Triple diamonds. A perfect chain for smaller forestry machines or tractors. Also available with 13 mm studs. The wear-chains and studs are of deep-hardened boron steel

OFA Matti W – 2T

Matti W Double Diamond offers an excellent grip and a good wearresistance.

13 mm, 16 mm or 19 mm

OFA Truck Chains – LS/SS

Particularly designed for loghauling trucks and in general for terrains demanding improved lateral grip. The wear chain has unstudded links from 8 mm and 9 mm square wire, depending on the tire size

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SORTING & SHIFTING

Sorting the good from the bad You’ve got the most out of your raw material and you’re ready to ship a complex variety of orders to market. Now, where has all the sawn wood gone?

H

ow well a sawmill is able to sort its sawn wood products determines how quickly and efficiently the operation is able to prepare and ship its wares to market. Sort precisely and orderly and it is likely that the products will be onto a truck and away to the customer as quickly as they were fed into the mill as round wood.

Contaminate a batch with the wrong specification and the front end of the mill can be stalled while the problem is sorted out, pun intended.

It’s not a simple job of course.

Gone are the days when a mill made one product for a few customers and it was purely a matter of seeing how fast you could get that product onto a truck. All that was left then was to point the truck in the right direction. No, today the front end of the mill has become more versatile and is capable of rapidly switching between product lines, in many cases with the push of a button. This has increased the number of products a mill can produce and therefore the number

of markets it can sell into.

The diversity created is extremely valuable to operations looking to spread risk and explore new opportunities but it also means that the sorting systems in place need state-of-the-art scanning technology to decipher what the product is, in addition to the mechanisms in place to accurately place each product in the right bin. Oh, and it has to be done in keeping pace with the front of the mill.

Austrian supplier Springer believes the ideal sorting option to deal with a large number of different assortments is its Sortierrad system, which consists Sortierrad features 3,500 compartments for storage of various ranges Power up to 30 boards/min Possible combination with a pre-sorting or Unipak (from the ‘compact’ series) Small footprint High flexibility

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The diversity created within sawmills is extremely valuable in spreading risk and exploring new opportunities but it also means that the sorting systems in place need state-of-the-art scanning technology to decipher what the product is, in addition to the mechanisms in place to accurately place each product in the right bin of up to 3,500 compartments in which the boards are individually removed and stored. The Sortierrad is for wood lengths from 2-6 m and suitable cross sections up to 110 x 260 mm.

MPM Engineering has installed a new state-of-the-art scanning system at BSW’s sawmill in Boat of Garten, Scotland, for sorting logs that are yet to be debarked.

The sorter is configured to sort the logs by underbark diameter into 26 bins.

The sawmill processes the logs

in the European style where sorted batches of logs of a very small range of diameters are cut using only a few possible patterns. The diameter sorting range can be as small as 10 mm, therefore it is critical to get an accurate under bark diameter.

The scanning system does a high density scan of the logs with bark on and uses the laser intensity and ‘scatter’ information along with the 3D scan data to detect and calculate the thickness of the bark. The system allows the user to adjust detection

IFI_PG20_25_Sorting_Shifting:layout

parameters for each different species of logs that they are processing.

This system can also be configured to sort by ‘patterns’ or

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A cross section and a 3D view of the log using MPMs log sorting scanner

‘squares’ and other customer specific modifications can easily be added to accommodate special user requests. This new system has significantly improved the mills operation due to the increased accuracy and flexibility of the log sorting system.

Still awaiting patenting, USNR’s high speed Quad Cam board feeder is the fastest board feeder to be introduced to the market. It tests at up to 235 pieces/min, with a guaranteed 98% lug fill. “It’s just plain fast,” USNR says. “If you’re looking for a way to really boost production, this deserves a spot at the top of your list.”

Quad Cam features Proven 140 LPM+ Fibre-optic sensing Chan-Ex runners AC/VF drive optional

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Catech products for modern Saw mills

Catech can offer a wide range of system and machinery for saw mills: • Catech edger optimizers for unattended operation • Catech optimizing system OptiScan 6000 for best yield • Singulators • Separators • Green sorters • Drysorters • Sorting bins • Sticker receivers • Stick placers

Pre-wired and pre-plumbed Split-cam wheel design Anti-skew pawls Single/dual cylinder

The Quad Cam is used in conjunction with USNR’s sturdy Lugged transfer tables, which are configured for the specific sawmill and are ideal for also integrating with OEM edging, planing, trimming and sorting systems.

USNR has more high speed bin sorters in operation than any other manufacturer. The company claims to have made significant headway in the design of its bin sorters over the past 10 years and they are now stronger, safer, and cleaner than previous models. “This system contains a vertical hydraulic system completely enclosed and OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 21

For more information please contact us: Tel: +46 155 28 08 05 E-mail: info@catech.se

Catech AB, Gästabudsvägen 6, SE-61131 Nyköping Tel +46 155-28 08 05 fax +46 155-930 66 office@catech.se www.catech.se

KEEPING THE EDGE

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SORTING & SHIFTING USNR Bin sorters New high speed design 150 LPM+ Green or dry applications Drag chain, J-bar, or pusher lug design High speed carriages for fast discharge Sloped bottom bins

Wood moves seamlessly through a USNR-supplied operation

Air-operated take-ups Dual-acting tipples for high speed Single or double pack capabilities fed by steel tubing instead of hydraulic hose – resulting in a cleaner and safer workplace.”

ProSort, from Swedish group Sawco, is a user-friendly total systems solution registration application for adjusting, optimising and sorting in dry sorters, green sorters, combi sorters and planing mills. Data collection at side/centre board level puts the operator in control and enables flexible monitoring and reporting.

“ProLog sorts the logs to fit the individual needs for any sawmill,” Sawco explains.

The product is designed to deliver a rapid overview with a graphic representation of the site; complete control over the sorting process; exact information on what resides in every bin; and flexible monitoring. It is flexible with the variety of options provided when handling package specifications, reports and statistics and board and package data can be exported to management systems.

Structure: ProSort consists of two IT systems operating in tandem: one is a PLC system that handles all communication with machinery

ProLog sorts the logs to fit the individual needs for any sawmill – Sawco

The scanning system does a high density scan of the logs with bark on and uses the laser intensity and ‘scatter’ information along with the 3D scan data to detect and calculate the thickness of the bark – MPM Engineering

on site; the other is a PC system with an optional number of clients that is in direct communication with the PLC and acts as a user interface for everything related to sorting tables, run programs, operating data etc. All settings in ProSort are stored in an SQL database that can be placed on any PC connected to the control system network. The system also comprises the 3D-scanner system ProScan and the advanced optimisation software ProOpt, operator's chair and control panels, automation/control system, bark thickness measuring ProBark and functions for revenue calculations Information on several levels: The status of up to 120 bins can be graphically presented during operation. Grade, quality, dimensions, length and status are displayed under each bin. The bin representation can be displayed in different colours depending on what activity is being performed in the bin, for example an empty or blocked bin. The operator can also get a detailed bin data presentation with information on how many pieces are in the bin at that time, total length, total

22 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

volume, average length and how many pieces there should be till the bin is regarded as full Package specifications: When a bin is emptied, package data are automatically generated for printout. A barcode solution can also be added if required Machine unit settings: ProSort can store and transfer settings to a stacker machine and its various programs. This handles settings such as band positions, band distance, band pressure and package lengths etc. ProSort can also support automatic quality assurance systems User interface: Based on Windows standard Reports and monitoring: Reports can be printed for any time interval or for specific runs.

Operators can also select by grade number, quality, species and dimensions as well as requesting statistics for how many pieces have

been sorted over the past 640 minutes – or per minute and dependent on how the sorting was done: by quality or by operator.

Users can also create their own individual reports by accessing data created for each sorted board Data transfer to/from external systems: Thanks to the open source SQL server the user can access all data from external management systems, which can also transfer production order data back to ProSort Simple editing: ProSort has advanced functions that make it simple to handle a large number of grades and create new ones (filter, copy, cut, paste, length pack etc). They provide the platform in run programs that control the actual sorting.

Brødbæk & Co has developed its sorting range so that today it has a wide range of sorting systems on the market for various applications. The range covers simple sorting by width, length and thickness to a complete 3D scanning by length, width, thickness and quality sorting.

The sorting systems can be fed

The ProSort interface

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SORTING & SHIFTING ABrødbæk system tray sorting long side boards

A Brødbæk system tray sorting short pallet boards by the main saw line, profiling line, edging line or destacking line. It is possible to have more than 10 trays in a system. Each tray has the capacity of more than one wood pack and it is possible to start filling a tray while it is being unloaded so only one tray per dimension is needed. The trays are very suitable for timber that is difficult to sort and handle.

Systems of up to six trays unload onto a waterfall singulator incorporated in the tray conveyor.

If more than six trays are used, the trays unload onto a chain conveyor leading the boards to an S-singulator. If many sorting bins are required, push-bar sorting and sinking pockets may be flexible solutions.

After the singulator the boards are ‘fair-ended’ and delivered layer-by-layer to a stacker or cross-cut saw. The sorting system can be delivered with crosscut saws used for length or quality trimming with board optimising.

Stacking: The stacker integrated in the sorting system is prepared for stacking all product types. The stacker is available with dump gates for board optimising and can be equipped with automatic stick cassettes. Brødbæk & Co lines are supplied as turn-key projects, wired and tested, to minimise set-up and start-up time.

Scanning: There is a wide range of scanning options for the sorting lines. Brødbæk & Co product lines include: an advanced 3D laser scanning system to scan length, width and thickness. Furthermore it is able to detect knots and waney parts of boards and to classify boards according to quality or position of knots and waney parts.

There is also standard length, width and thickness scanning, which delivers fast scanning with customer defined measuring and precision at a relatively lower cost

than a 3D-system. Finally, the simple operator push-button systems cater to low capacity systems or productions with nonmeasurable quality grading.

Snapshots of added value by making sawn timber into components: Through the years Brødbæk & Co has supplied many flexible solutions for adding value to sawn wood, for example: X-ray and scanning lines for stress grading or gluelam; planing and splitting lines; resawing lines; and bundling lines. Examples of the different stacking lines are: slat stacking; stacker for pallet boards at more than 500 boards/min; and stacking of normal boards and big dimensions up to 12 m.

Brødbæk & Co says it has a solution for nearly all requirements and has completed a large number of complex, highcapacity projects to deliver large savings on manpower.

The log yard has long since carried the responsibility of efficiently sorting logs for cutting assortments before sawing and for over 35 years these demands have been met by German supplier, Holtec. In order to meet the individual requirements of the different operation sizes, the company offers log handling systems in three performance classes.

Innovative solutions are especially advanced in the high performance segment ‘solid plus’ and after realisation they are transferred to the other performance classes ‘basic line’ and ‘solid line’, too. The latest Holtec developments comprise the Vrollerway for log

24 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

acceleration, the eccentric ejector for sorting logs with short gaps between the logs, the tandem step feeder for chainless log separation, and the original rollerway for alignment with transfer wheel for reducing the gaps between the logs.

Holtec has delivered more than 250 log handling systems. Recent domestic successes comprise the logyard and the sawmill infeed at the sawmill Egger in Brilon as well as the mechanisation for handling long logs at the company Ladenburger in Kerkingen. This system started-up at the beginning of this year.

Overseas, It has been trusted abroad with the new sawmill for James Jones & Sons in Lockerbie, UK, which was delivered recently with full logyard and sawmill infeed. The requirements for handling these difficult logs from Scotland are met by a special system technology. The humid, mild climate enables fast tree growing and causes higher-thanaverage butts. Diameters more

than 700 mm are common. Bars from 2.5 to 5.1 m are loaded on the log deck without sorting according to butt-end and topend. The separation and allocation is made by the a.m. tandem step feeder. The bars then run on the first longitudinal conveyor through a 2D measurement system.

According to the results of this measurement the logs are either directly transferred by a further step feeder and infeed conveyor to a turning device or, depending on the position of the butt-end and top-end, are conveyed to one of the two butt reducers.

There are six log storage steps before each butt reducer, which guarantee a continuous working process. Directly in front of the butt reducers are the bars aligned by a rollerway to a defined zero line. All bars, reduced or not, are then fed in-turn into the turning device using step feeders followed by an infeed conveyor. Behind the turning device the logs are optimally accelerated using the vrollerway and are gap-optimised fed with top-end first into the Valon Kone debarker.

Behind the metal detector the bars are 3D-measured on the sorting conveyor and recorded by

View to step feeders and butt reducers at James Jones, UK

The Holtec tandem step feeder enables execution without chains, sprockets, or mechanical sliding surfaces and hydraulic consumers reduce wear and costs for maintenance and lubricants

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SORTING & SHIFTING video camera in a fully automated process. This guarantees an optical documentation of each log with front side and back side. All measurement data and pictures can be opened companywide and enable a complete, gap-free check of the delivered logs. The measurement electronics and the Woodarchiv are from the company JÖRG Elektronik.

The bars are sorted into 20 concrete boxes. The sorting capacity is some 1,900 m³/shift, depending on the log diameter and length.

Once in the sawmill, the bars are sawn on a chipper canter

profiling line. To bridge the height between the log deck and sawing line, the bars are separated with a rail cross conveyor complete with integrated rollerway for alignment, which is followed by a step feeder and allocated to a v- rollerway. By means of the new dynamic gap optimisation, GapControl, the gaps between the logs are reduced in longitudinal conveyance and aligned to a defined measure. This reduces log gaps reduced by up to 50% to significantly increase the working degree and the output capacity of the main sawing machines IFI

The v-rollerway – pairs of rollers at right angles to each other that set new standards in the field of log acceleration

TRAVEL TIME: sawmill conveyance The Servo Fence Customers demand that today's optimisation technology delivers both infinite and highly accurate positioning at high speeds for trimming operations. Comact’s transfer and positioning system is centred around a ‘stage fence’ activated by an electric servo cylinder. The use of this technology ensures the required feedback on positioning as well as a cleaner system for the environment.

The boards are carried on a chain transfer where they pull against the positioning fence on a “very efficient” system of rollers combined with an overhanging curtain, which controls the friction between rollers and the boards. Once the boards System features: are in position, they're kept in place with multi pivoting skidders up to the trim saw.

This mechanism is mounted onto a heavy duty

Thickness capability:

25-150 mm

Width capability:

60-300 mm

Design speed: Accuracy:

Up to 220 lug/min 1/8 inch frame, designed to minimise distortion. This equipment can weigh as much as 12 t for a 5 m (16 foot) wood line capability.

The Comact Servo Fence

Powerful, gentle, fast …

Specialised project supplier for wood processing equipment and mills, Jartek, says its sorting conveyors are powerful, gentle and fast, reaching speeds up to 220 pieces/min with certain conveyor types.

Solid and reliable sorting bins can be equipped with low drop equipment for gentle board handling and when even gentler handling is required, tray sorting can provide the right solution. Sorting trays are available in single or multiple layer solutions.

Lining up your targets Currently, mill technicians operating conventional long log strander infeed conveyor systems have very little control over log alignment. The Carmanah Alignment Conveyor has the ability to align long logs and shingle feed them to the maximum height of the cutting chamber, thus achieving higher strand production and quality.

The system is designed with a series of rolls and lobes. The lobes rise and fall through a steel bed plate with suitable slots profiled to allow the lobes to operate and minimise jamming. The rolls and bed plate are supported by heavy steel framing. As the rolls and lobes rotate, they advance and align the logs.

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INNOVATION

Tightening systems for survival Successful vendors like USNR are constantly looking for ways to add value to their offerings to help customers stay competitive, and to stay competitive themselves.

The turbulent economic situation has prompted the company to introduce several new innovations aimed at cutting costs and upping efficiencies A longview of the HMIs

Controlled integration Newnes-McGehee, which was last year incorporated under the USNR umbrella, not long ago completed a large greenfields sawmill project that included an SL3000 log breakdown system, two horizontal curve sawing gang saws, two linear RoboEdger lines, and two lumber handling lines to handle both dimension and 100 mm (4 in) timber products. NewnesMcGehee provided the optimisation, controls 26 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

and WinTally sorter management system.

The magnitude of this project afforded the company the opportunity to develop a unique innovation to the controls system – integration of the Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) through the use of a central server. Each client computer can seamlessly switch between any of the machine centres. The HMI server communicates with the PLCs, substantially reducing Ethernet

traffic. When changes are made to the HMI software, only the HMI server computer requires updating.

The system at this site makes use of the ‘FactoryTalk’ alarms and ‘events’ feature, whereby alarms are maintained by the controller. Instead of constantly polling the controller for alarm information, alarms are produced on exception. The time-stamped alarms help the operator or electrician pinpoint

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INNOVATION

the first alarm in a cascade of alarms, thus making it much easier to troubleshoot the cause and get production back online. Any operator on the mill floor and/or the mill manager in his office, can instantly “view” production or determine the reason for a stoppage in the line.

“This provides powerful information that helps keep production flowing, and allows better planning and decision making for mill management,” NewnesMcGehee stated. “This configuration need not include multiple machine centres. Newnes-McGehee has installed this type of controls networking on various sized systems including stand-alone machine centres.”

Requirements for this type of networking in any mill include ControlLogix control system, Newnes-McGehee WinTally sorter management system, and Newnes-McGehee controls software.

Being “Smart” about consoles Sometimes incremental improvements can make a world of difference to production. Along with the HMI/PLC integration that was installed at the mill noted above, the customer opted to go with another Newnes-McGehee controls feature to resolve another common issue.

“Often what can pose a problem on the mill floor is the blinking of lights and alarms on control consoles,” Newnes-McGehee explained.

The PanelView Plus display when the auto rotate is functioning satisfactorily

Console 1

This provides powerful information that helps keep production flowing, and allows better planning and decision making for mill management

“It can be hard for the operator to determine the exact cause of the blinking light or alarm, and can cause needless downtime while he troubleshoots the issue.” The recently launched Allen Bradley PanelView Plus operator terminals and Newnes-McGehee HMI software, together allow the operator to start and stop drives just like with the old button consoles but with major advantages. The panelview shows the status of all the drives that are controlled from the console. If a drive is in an alarm state the display will show the cause of the problem, making it much easier to correct.

The console graphic above (Console 1) shows that the auto rotate chain will not start due to a communication failure. Once the error has been corrected the next alarm in the prioritised list will be displayed.

What you’ve bin waiting for Another great feature developed by the Newnes-McGehee controls group is auto bin dumping. This feature frees up the stacker operator to queue up specific bins to dump in a specific order, or in full automatic mode whereby bins are dumped automatically as they fill. This feature eliminates the need for a bin chaser.

With auto bin dumping, the HMI computer at the stacker connects to the PLC and WinTally database to provide the operator with the functionality. The HMI computer allows the stacker operator to see what is in each of the bins. He can either select which bins to dump, or he can set up automatic priority dumping which allows him to pre-select bins to dump so that he can focus his attention on the stacker.

The HMI allows him to manually operate any bin or floor chains from the stacker location.

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INNOVATION

It can be hard for the operator to determine the exact cause of the blinking light or alarm, and can cause needless downtime while he troubleshoots the issue

The interface showing the bin status with bin control pop-up

Prerequisites for this system are ControlLogix controls system, Newnes-McGehee controls software, and WinTally sorter management system. This feature is currently operating in several mills.

Keeping track of the packs

The display of tracked package details

28 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

A recent innovation to the Newnes-McGehee controls system installed at Hampton Lumber in Darrington, Washington, includes a package tracking screen that allows packaging operators to view details about each package and see where it is in the process.

When a package would stop on the line before this feature was installed, the operator often had trouble determining the cause of the stoppage.

The Newnes-McGehee controls specialists came up with a solution: the WinTally sends the package queue data to the PLC, which tracks the packages. The HMI computer displays the information for the operator. When the operator clicks on a package the system displays the load number, package description, number of pieces and their length.

Prerequisites for this feature are obviously the WinTally sorter management system, along with the ControlLogix controls system.

IFI

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HIGH PROFILE

Forestry at the “pointy end” General Manager of forestry supplier Waratah Attachments, Russ Kurtz, chats with IFI editor Chris Cann about the benefits of John Deere’s backing, not jumping into the biomass market and coping with the hectic life of a modern day executive

Yeah, forestry’s in my blood – it’s the people that get into your blood

International Forest Industries: Is forestry something that’s always been in your blood or is it something that you took to later in life?

Russ Kurtz: I started out in forestry as a manufacturing engineer – making the gear that went into the woods – then moved into sales territory on the east coast of the USA developing dealers that sell into forestry markets. In the 90s I had responsibility for full-tree logging in the southeast – sales, support and finance.

IFI: Working for whom?

RK: This is all for John Deere. I’ve been with John Deere for 31 years now so I’m an old guy. It’s a good place to work and it’s a great company. I moved to Waratah two years ago and it’s been really fantastic.

The guys at Waratah are forestry professionals – they’ve been swell to work with. I’ve been kind of lucky because forestry is a really close industry with a real variety of people who are the salt of the earth.

Forestry people are really genuine and you can trust them – they say what they mean and they mean what they say – they’re humble and unassuming people and that sits well with me. So yeah, it’s in my blood, but it’s the people that get into your blood.

IFI: Is being a dedicated harvester head supplier an advantage or a disadvantage compared to companies that make base machines too?

The Waratah 600 Series

RK: The Waratah strategy has two advantages. One is that you’re not tied to any one brand of carrier at all so you have the entire industry of customers worldwide. Because of that you are part of the whole forestry base. From the Waratah standpoint, we look at the tree and

the customer; we’re not focused on the carrier. In my mind it’s like the navy and the marines: the navy is a great group to carry you to the fight but, frankly, it’s the marines that are at the pointy end of the spear. I like to think of us as the marines – on the ground, with the customer, at the tree. Secondly, we can tailor our product development directly to the forestry industry and the customer base rather than directing that solution to one OEM. We have a support group that is worldwide to make that happen.

IFI: Are all your heads able to fit to all carriers?

RK: Yes as long as the carrier has the required horsepower and hydraulic oil flow, so sure, they can go on most brands of carrier if these requirements are met. We’ve tried to provide the ability for the automation to be retrofitted if need be, plus we have our own automation so we can go either way and, so far, we’ve had luck with retrofitting to any carrier base on all track machines. Some carrier adaptations are more difficult than others. For the most part though, our heads and our automation can go on any carriers and where it doesn’t, we can fit into other automation systems.

IFI: How does the relationship with John Deere work?

RK: John Deere is our parent company but our Waratah Attachments division works independently to serve our many Waratah dealers and customers worldwide. This means Waratah has dealers and customers with all brands of equipment from a multitude of OEM manufacturers. Waratah focuses on the customer and the application to optimise solutions and support rather than be carrier focused.

This is the Waratah strength, and Deere as a parent company, realises this and supports our independence and non-exclusive distribution strategy world wide.

IFI: Have any new opportunities presented themselves in this recession or has it just been a case of survival?

RK: We’re coping as best as we can. Of course our OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 29

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HIGH PROFILE

The 618C

The H414 could be applied for biomass purposes volumes are down as they are across the whole industry. Our advantage is that we have a distribution network to support customers with parts, service and application consulting and training – being there for the customer. So we’ve tried to concentrate on showing our customer base that, regardless of the difficulties, we’re there to help them through these times by assisting with finding the most efficient methods. In some cases we’ve evaluated equipment to improve equipment operation and efficiencies so the customer can make the best decision on equipment requirements. We’ve done training so people are better at fixing and operating the machines. We’ve also helped customers by optimising settings for their specific operation, which as anyone in the industry knows, can be very complicated with the current technology. We can get this done because of the people we have in the market with experience and knowledge.

The other area we have tried to add value is through our human assets. Some examples of specific actions are to re-deploy our employees with specific forestry field knowledge and training skill sets from down markets, into other global markets that are still active. This allows us to spread the knowledge base and deliver solutions into markets that our Waratah industry professionals may not have seen otherwise. Recently as an example, we have had Canadian support personnel in Russia training timber companies, machine operators, and dealer personnel. As well, product support personnel from New Zealand have been to South America to train both customer end users and our dealers. This kind of cross functional deployment of people provides us the ability to see many applications and leverage both our investment in people, and our full product portfolio worldwide. We can then take this knowledge across applications worldwide and introduce new ideas where they fit.

IFI: Do you think the recent focus on biomass cutting by head manufacturers 30 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

will be maintained once the greater market recovers or is it just a necessity of the times?

There are a lot of folks who have rushed into biomass and we’ve got some heads that are applicable to the biomass

RK: Economics are going to drive the behaviour of the industry but in our experience it’s best to biomass markets in the shortanalyse how we can best service the term but in the long-term I think that the environmentally customer before charging in friendly world that we live in is going to insist that biomass remains part of that. Wood is the greatest untapped natural Waratah has always been a market leader in resource at our disposal and biomass is an innovation and plans to continue. As much as appealing sector within that – it has safety Waratah is known for what it has brought to the benefits, it helps prevent infestation by insects, industry in terms of new technology, Waratah is and it creates jobs in rural communities. But it probably better known for what ‘we do with the also has a cost. Those piles of slash that people technology’ that we utilise in our products. That see from a distance have to be chipped, loaded is: Waratah designs products that are ‘built to and transported – all costs. So there are a lot of work’. We don’t over complicate the product different pieces to the biomass industry. and we ensure that all of the technology used We’ve concentrated on our harvesting heads, in our product is provided to the customer in processing heads, and automation as an the easiest form and design to enable Waratah attachments business. We’re keeping an eye on harvester owners the highest levels of uptime biomass and looking at where we can best available in the industry. This along with make an entrance. There are a lot of folks who unsurpassed machine performance is what have rushed into biomass now and we’ve got continues to allow our customers to prosper some heads that are applicable to the biomass even in this down market. industry – the 412 for one can handle multiple As for new developments, I would say the tree stems and serve as a combo-head. But in defect recognition and being able to recognise our experience it’s best to analyse how we can all the defects that can affect the value of a log best service the customer before charging in. like stiffness, knot size, sweep, rot, ovality. This There will be a play for Waratah, we just haven’t type of technology will increase the recovered crystallised what that play will be for the forest value plus remove pressure off the longer-term. operators. Waratah is working on many projects and plans on introducing new levels of technology IFI: Is there a Waratah product you’re yet to be seen in the industry. As for what’s particularly proud of or a product for the coming next from Waratah, better to wait and see. future you think is set to make a It will be an exciting time for our customers and difference to the industry? our employees over the next few years.

RK: I would say overall that our automation and control give the best value to forest companies; IFI: Have you had a chance to sneak interface with the carrier for best efficiencies; away for a holiday recently durability; low maintenance costs; and all this to result in higher production is our direction.

RK: It has been a while since I have gone away

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HIGH PROFILE for an uninterrupted holiday. Travelling is a big part of my responsibilities and I enjoy the people and places with this position. When I do spend time for a little R&R it is usually spent on hiking trails through the hills in the southern US. My brother lives in the south working for NASA and we get the chance to spend time with him in Alabama. Also, I like to spend as much time with my wife Sandy and three sons as possible when I am on holiday and we usually are around water, golf courses, fishing, or some other sports challenge to see who can win. The older I get the harder it becomes to keep up. So whether I am in Western Australia climbing the Kari tree, walking in the forest to find a harvester head that was reported to be close to the road in Canada, or making my way to camp with the boys in Europe, I get my share of

And all the time I get paid for doing what most people call ‘having fun’. You just have to love the forestry business

walking and climbing. This helps keep me competitive with the boys.

And all the time I get paid for doing what most people call ‘having fun’. You just have to love the forestry business. IFI

The FL85

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OPERATION FOCUS

Distributed concept maximises availability

An operator control and visualisation concept developed jointly with Siemens is now a standard feature of EWD sawlines

T

here is probably not a tree trunk anywhere that grows absolutely straight and, as such, conventional sawing techniques can often result in reduced log recovery in the production process. The quantity recovered can be increased, however, if the machines on the sawline follow the ideal curve radius of the log – this is especially true if they are always operated continuously.

One of the most modern sawlines in Europe is installed at Axel Bergkvist in Insjön, one of Sweden’s leading sawmills, where it is used exclusively for curve sawing. The plant is equipped with a distributed, flexible control and visualisation system. All important ‘plant states’ are shown on this system, facilitating rapid response times directly in the field. The sawline operator thus keeps a clear view of the curve sawing process at all times.

In 2005 and 2006, Bergkvist (established over eighty years ago) embarked on the largest investment in the history of the company – a crucial milestone in its long-term strategy for the future – with the principal aim of increasing the recovery and quality of its products. The innovative ArcoLine technology developed by EWD in Altötting/Bavaria is now in place in the new sawmill, which not only improves recovery but boasts the awesome log throughput rate of 500,000 m3/y. Today, around 290,000 logs are

32 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

processed on the sawline every month, equivalent to approximately 33,000 m3 of sawn lumber.

Large quantity framework From the outset, EWD and Siemens collaborated intensively regarding the automation concept for this plant, which comprises a series of highly complex process steps. Right up until commissioning, it was regularly optimised in close consultation with the operator. According to Edgar Bausinger, Head of Electrical Engineering at EWD, this longstanding technology partnership has paid off many a time because it enables the best possible solution for a particular task to be identified and realised without any wasted time.

Bergkvist’s ArcoLine is supervised by four SIMATIC S7-400 controllers, each of which is equipped with a CPU 416 motherboard that communicates directly using multi-point interfaces (MPI) with nine distributed SIMATIC Multi Panel MP370s (with a 300 mm display) installed on the main machines. A tenth MP370 and a master computer, both located in the saw line’s control cab, are also integrated in the network.

SIMATIC WinCC Flexible was chosen as the visualisation system. Each of the nine multi

In 2005 and 2006, Bergkvist embarked on the largest investment in the history of the company – a crucial milestone in its long-term strategy for the future – with the principal aim of increasing the recovery and quality of its products

panels in the sawline has to process some 1,500 variables, 100 graphics lists, 20 scripts, and 1,200 messages – the installation is accordingly one of the biggest projects ever realised with WinCC Flexible.

Flexible visualisation at machine level The suggestion was raised at the time that a classic SCADA system in client-server architecture might be a more suitable option. It

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Troubleshooting is simpler and more reliable if the HMI devices are hooked up to the controllers directly rather than to a central server – Edgar Bausinger

The complete Arcoline sawline at Bergkvist Insjon can also be controlled locally with the nine distributed SIMATIC Multi Panels MP370 installed at the main machines

The master computer assesses the sawline data with the SIMATIC WinCC flexible/Smart Access system

If a fault is detected, it can be instantly responded to because all messages are transferred to the master computer promptly and are therefore up-to-date

should be mentioned that in view of the multitude of tasks, each panel represented a separate project. Bausinger explained that the customer was asked to choose between the two alternatives. A preference for the more flexible concept with the greater proximity to the “scene of the action” quickly emerged.

In addition to lower costs, two central requirements were perceived to be better satisfied: on the one hand, short response times and signal propagation delays (less than 1 second); and on the other, the integration of operator control and visualisation in a single system that provides all essential information promptly and realistically in the field in graphical form.

The distances that must be covered in order to rectify a fault are much shorter than in the past, Bausinger said. “Troubleshooting is simpler and more reliable if the HMI devices are hooked up to the controllers directly rather than to a central server.”

The relatively time-consuming configuring phase was ultimately offset by the ease with which the basic framework could be copied.

“The smaller WinCC Flexible projects are elements of the overall S7 project, in other words they profit from the seamless Siemens technology when it comes to configuring, data management, and communication under S7 or

the SIMATIC Manager,” Bausinger said. He confirmed that the job for EWD’s engineers was considerably more straightforward as a result.

Another advantage of the distributed control solution is revealed if ever a failure occurs at the control level. In this case, the sawline can be operated instead using the panels. Apart from a few central control steps, for instance at the start and end of a shift, the plant runs completely autonomously. In addition to the machines themselves, each panel also visualises the upstream and downstream conveyor systems on anything between twenty and twenty-five control charts based on the design drawings. All data and recipes are stored on a CF card. The integrated user administration functionality of WinCC Flexible is likewise highly valued by Bergkvist.

Intuitive operation and troubleshooting If a fault is detected, it can be instantly responded to because all messages are transferred to the master computer promptly and are therefore up-to-date. According to the

plant operator, one of the system’s most important benefits is that there is no longer any strict separation between visualisation and control, either in the plant control room or locally. On the contrary, the two functions are converged deep into the axes and light barriers.

Henrik Pellas, the automation engineer at Bergkvist responsible for the new saw line, is altogether enthusiastic. He said the system could normally be operated by a single person and, thanks to the graphical visualisation, error messages could be reacted to almost intuitively so that downtimes are reduced to a minimum or avoided completely.

The WinCC Flexible/Smart Access option, which provides simple client-server mechanisms, was installed on the master computer to enable the sawline to be controlled from the comfort of the control desk. Bergkvist also makes use of the ‘Archive’ and ‘Recipe’ visualisation options. In the meantime, faults signalled by the saw infeed and the sawline disposal system are sent to the same computer.

The tenth MP370 located in the control desk serves to switch on the plant, record current OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 33

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At Siemens itself, the know-how arising from the collaborative project with Bergkvist has enabled the visualisation system to be further matured

Each SIMATIC Multi Panel MP370 visualises the upstream and downstream conveyor systems of the respective machines - the distances needing to be covered to rectify a fault are much shorter than in the past consumption centrally for all main drives, and visualise the operating states of cabinets as well as bus and hydraulic systems.

A standard feature The operator control and visualisation concept realised by EWD on behalf of Bergkvist has become a standard feature of all the manufacturer’s sawlines of this type. It has been continuously optimised in the framework of ongoing enhancements to SIMATIC WinCC Flexible.

At Siemens itself, the know-how arising from the collaborative project with Bergkvist has enabled the visualisation system to be further matured. The option of simulating and testing the system upfront in a runtime version without a PLC is deemed to be particularly advantageous for configuring and commissioning. EWD can access the Insjön plant from its Reutlingen site in SouthWest Germany using a VPN connection in order to carry out remote maintenance.

Finally, Pellas emphasised that the control and visualisation system assures a very high level of plant availability and that it has so far lived up to Bergkvist’s expectations in every respect. The same applies to the reliability of the Multi Panels.

In the meantime, an eleventh panel enables the saw line’s disposal system to be controlled from the control desk. IFI

Using modern 3D measuring techniques and complex optimisation programs, the Arcoline method of head sawing achieves the highest yield from round timber

Fast facts

• The nine main machines on the ArcoLine sawline at the lnsjön plant and the conveyor system that links them together are fitted with 400 electric motors and 245 servo valves controlled by four PLCs • Around 60 screens for controlling and visualising the production process are installed in the control desk and along the saw line • Six 3D scanners that monitor each other guarantee full optimisation for the log as it is processed • In combination with the optimisation software, the recorded information allows the quality and quantity of recovery to be kept under continuous observation • The line operates in a feed range from 70 to 200 m/minute with 6.5 MW power input.

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34 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

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OPERATION FOCUS

Opening an account with the Russian timber bank Making the most of the unquestionable opportunities in Russia is a difficult and lengthy process but those prepared to be patient can make the timber bank pay

Rod Whyte

O

ften referring to the Russian Federation sawmilling industries of Russia are stuck in a as the ‘timber bank’, the forestry world time warp, usually fragmented into many small is under no illusions about how much operations with obsolete equipment and very potential lies within the forest resource of the few modern harvesting or processing former Soviet stronghold. operations. Russia also contends, fairly Russia has 809 Mha of forest, which is over accurately from most reports, that it has been 22% of the world forest resource, larger than historically exploited by Scandinavian forest the combined forest area of Brazil and Canada. product companies that imported Russian logs Russian forests are mainly softwood and in order to add value across the border rather comprise more than 50% of the world’s than in Russia. softwood resource.

But changes are afoot The good news is that to prevent opportunistic forest growth exploitation of Russia’s outstrips timber forests and to provide Russia contributes only 3% to foreign investors with a harvested at a ratio of three-to-one. The fresh opportunity to the global softwood products access the Russian slow growing pine and spruce make for timber bank, now under market through its domestic strong, straight logs conditions that will help ideal for milling, yet sawmilling industry – Russia is modernise Russia’s Russia contributes forest industries. certainly a timber bank but only 3% to the global These are softwood products fundamental changes it is not working efficiently market through its designed to transform domestic sawmilling the rules of the game: industry. Russia may introduction of the ‘New be a timber bank but Forest Code’ (a revision it is not an efficient bank by any measure. of forest management legislation), a revised Russia has vast forested regions that remain export duty regime (with incremental increases undeveloped. Most are inaccessible as remote on roundwood exports to a potential 80%); and regions have no infrastructure and this will not the abolition of export duties on sawn wood. change any time soon. Also the harvesting and The New Forest Code provides security of OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 35

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We have established a timber pipeline – we harvest the timber in Russia, supply timber components to European customers and control all the steps in between – Chairman Rod Whyte

The modified army vehicles have provided EastWest with a significant cost saving over its initial period

EastWest concessions in Leningrad region are close to saw mills operated by IKEA and Stora Enso tenure. Central to the changes are an increase in the maximum length of a lease to 49 years and the right for private companies to sell, transfer, or use the lease for debt security. The revised legislation also includes a clause qualifying infrastructure investments of €7.5 million or more as ‘Preferred Investment Projects’, which receive preferential treatment in terms of leasing arrangements and payments.

The introduction of a 25% export duty, with the intent to ratchet this higher, deters the use of cheap Russian roundwood for value added processing in other countries. The intent is to force foreign companies to add value to the timber in Russia and ultimately to build sawmills in Russia.

John Deere Timberjack harvester enjoy winter conditions

Our Russian contracting and Russian concession companies are seen as very much Russian companies with Russian operators – we are not seen as a foreign company – Chief Executive Charles Parsons

The carrot International Forest Industries was seeking a guide to interpret the Russian forestry situation and found one in EastWest Timber (for reference: www.eastwesttimber.com), a company already adapting to the requirements of the Forest Code. EastWest was quick to identify the new opportunities in Russia, establishing a Russian company to acquire forest leases and an Estonian company with a timber processing facility to machine Russian semi-processed timber for European customers.

36 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

EastWest has a long-term plan to become a vertically integrated forestry company linking Russian forest leases to its European customer base.

EastWest’s forest leases are in the Leningrad Oblast (region) of northwest Russia, which borders both Finland and Estonia and is one of the most developed Russian regions in terms of infrastructure and general forestry practices.

Road density is advanced, there is good access

to rail and ports for export markets, while proximity to the growing domestic market of St Petersburg provides another advantage.

The EastWest business model sets out three phases to attain vertical integration.

In phase one – initiated in 2005 and achieved this year – EastWest purchased a 20,000 ha forest lease on a 49-year licence. Roundwood is sold to, or contract cut for, regional sawmills with all pulp sold into the domestic market. The company then buys first-cut wet timber locally, which it trucks to its Estonian facility for processing into pine and spruce timber components, primarily for window and door frames. The superior quality of pine from Russia produces only 20% waste versus 40% waste from Estonian pine.

The logistics are straightforward. EastWest employs John Deere CTL equipment to harvest and forward to a forest road. Then logs are trucked to the sealed road some 15 km away using modified Russian ex-military vehicles to then travel the rest of the distance in style with the company’s Scania and Volvo log haulers.

The key to success in this first phase has been what Chief Executive Charles Parsons calls “virtual integration”, as distinct from the company’s goal of vertical integration. Rather

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OPERATION FOCUS The Estonian processing facility has the room to expand

Give us 18 months to build up scale and profitability and we’ll be able to make an excellent case for a valuation to fund the sawmill – that’s why we’re doing it in three phases – Whyte

than processing Russian harvested roundwood at its Estonian facility and attracting high export duties, EastWest buys first-cut timber from regional sawmills, which qualifies as value added and is thus duty free.

In regional terms, EastWest is a large independent operator with modern equipment and regular export business to Estonia, which has excellent road and rail connections with northwest Russia. This gives it the credibility needed to ensure a reliable supply of Russia’s high quality pine and spruce at competitive prices to meet customer specifications set by EastWest’s Estonian timber processing facility.

A reliable supply from Russia is virtually unheard of in the sawmilling world.

In phase two, EastWest plans to acquire an additional 100,000 ha forest lease that has been offered by the local government for a modest fee and a commitment to establish

capable of processing 150,000 m3/y from the additional 100,000 ha concessions.

One big saving would be on transport – trucking from Russia to the Estonian facility currently takes 30 hours at a cost of €600 per truck.

“We have established a timber pipeline – we harvest the timber in Russia, supply timber components to European customers and control all the steps in between,” Chairman Rod Whyte told IFI. “European customers need reliable delivery to specification and will not depend on Russian timber traders. You cannot Round wood establish credibility overnight with one on the road successful delivery and you cannot afford to get into arguments about offinfrastructure, harvest the timber, and create specification product – the best answer is to employment. This opportunity apparently control the delivery pipeline yourself. reflects the company’s “squeaky clean” “This pipeline ensures a reliable supply of operating record established over its first timber cut to length for customer specifications, phase. The plan is to increase the harvesting which puts a real value on the forest leases. We rate under the same conditions as in phase one believe that softwood supply is tightening. This but on a grander scale. should translate into a significant increase in Phase three. On success in phase two, the valuation of a Russian 49-year forest lease, EastWest will look to either build a sawmill in which is presently at a 90% discount to land Russia or joint venture with a local sawmill to values in Scandinavia. If you meet your upgrade that facility to modern standards obligations, the Russians don’t take the leases

OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 37

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OPERATION FOCUS Travelling in style – logs are moved using Scania haulers back, they support you. Every year you need to harvest, transport and process in Russia. When you manage all three, the value uplift is really quite considerable.”

Speaking Russian Not everyone is suited to operating in Russia.

Not everyone has an established processing facility just across the EU border, few companies have the patience to trudge painstakingly through the process of setting up long-term business infrastructure in Russia and even fewer have the contacts and Russian speaking management to get started.

The initial contact with Russia and the purchase of EastWest’s first concession was through Commercial Director and well known Estonian businessman, Marek Krippel, who is fluent in Russian and English and familiar with Russian business practices. Krippel also manages relationships with local stakeholders.

“Our Russian contracting and concession companies are accepted locally as Russian companies with Russian operators – we are not seen as a foreign company,” Parsons said. “We have created employment, introduced modern business practices and our Estonian operation is seen as an export customer. British and European investors provided the seed finance to create a new Russian business and the Russian authorities support this approach.”

EastWest experienced significant barriers to entry before successfully establishing the business. The initial use of Estonian contractors with modern CTL equipment displaced local labour and caused resistance and minor vandalism. The real problems, however, arose when it became clear that EastWest provided a legitimate and reliable route to market through its wholly-owned railheads, which exposed other local but illegal logging activities.

EastWest then co-operated closely with regional authorities on the successful prosecution for theft of its equipment (victories such as this are rare for foreign companies).

As a result, EastWest now benefits from strong support both locally and from the regional authorities as illegal logging has ceased in the area and taxes are being collected on timber harvested. Also, the company has done away with its Estonian contractors and instead is investing both time and money in training local Russians to operate the high-tech and expensive Timberjack harvesting machines.

Unsurprisingly, EastWest needed patience with Russian bureaucracy in importing ex-lease John Deere harvesters and forwarders. Two harvester units acquired from a large Swedish contractor took a frustrating five months from acquisition to arrival on site. “This is typical of the present Russian system,” Parsons said. “We look forward to full implementation of the new Forest Code when import of John Deere harvesters and forwarders (which are not made in Russia) will be duty free.”

38 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

It was a bold decision to go with modern dedicated but scarce CTL equipment in Russia over the readily available, easily maintained, and cheaper excavator option. But the establishment of a John Deere depot nearby in Tikhvin with spare parts and importantly the ability to supply an engineer or equipment on same-day basis has supported the strategy.

John Deere also provides training facilities and EastWest now has 14 local Russian operators with John Deere certification.

Turning plans into practice To upscale operations, EastWest needs access to greater pools of capital. This should be a walk in the park for men with the corporate experience of Whyte and Parsons, who have already established a profitable Russian business with €5.5 million of venture capital.

But phase two is quite a step up with €6 million budgeted to acquire the 100,000 ha of forest concessions on offer and three additional Timberjack units to increase harvesting capacity. Capital for Russian private operations is not readily available and Whyte and Parsons have several challenging months of meetings ahead as they present the value uplift in their plans to potential investors.

Whyte believes that the lack of competition in this fledgling sector has both pros and cons.

There are no peer group comparisons (which banking types like so much) so investment decisions cannot readily be made on a comparative basis. But the absence of competition and comparative data increases the value uplift for the investor who finances vertical integration and scale increases.

Whyte and Parsons will target investors with Russian experience who understand the risk mitigation provided by the corporate strategy.

An independent expert report on forestry opportunities in the Leningrad region and northwest Russia was commissioned from Finnish consultants, Alvacon, which outlines the huge potential presented through the standing resource and changes to legislation. This is the first expert report IFI has seen on the region.

The directors have also intentionally

proceeded cautiously with a step-by-step approach to establish the company and make sure objectives are achieved at each stage. This gives EastWest a successful four-year track record in Russia which should prove invaluable in attracting finance.

“We have 20,000 ha of our own forest, have been good boys and met our obligations, so the local government approached us and offered another 100,000 ha,” Parsons reiterated.

“Obviously nothing is for free in this world and we have to put the roads in, build storage and vehicle depots, buy expensive CTL equipment and train operators – but it is a fair contract.

What the government wants in exchange for the 49 year lease is taxes paid, employment created and value added.

“Everywhere else in the world you pay an awful lot more for access to mature softwood forests – at least €2,500/ha in nearby Scandinavia. In Russia the land is cheap, but why acquire land unless you intend to harvest?

EastWest has the experience and track record to give institutions confidence that it is possible to invest in Russian forest opportunities with mitigation of operational risk.”

Once phase two finance has been secured, Whyte foresees a year or so of consolidation before they go back to the markets to ask for the €15 million needed for a Russian sawmill to complete the vertically integrated business model.

“It is a matter of pricing and valuation. We have been able to raise €5.5 million in seed capital to establish the business. Another €6 million in development capital will come at a higher price. Give us 18 months to build up scale and profitability and we’ll be able to make an excellent case for a valuation to fund the sawmill – that’s why we’re doing it in three phases.”

When Russian timber products can be delivered reliably on time and to specifications, it will create enormous customer demand. If EastWest were to succeed on a larger scale, it would set a precedent for other and larger foreign companies to invest the capital needed to make the Russian timber bank more efficient. IFI

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BIOENERGY

Kiwi’s push wood energy opportunity Ernslaw Bio-Energy is wellplaced to take advantage of an expected increase in the use of wood-chip boilers, thanks to the New Zealand company’s decision to buy a mobile wood chipper

E

rnslaw Bio-Energy bought the NZ$160,000 German-made Heizohack HM10-500 KT chipper and the John Deere 7530 tractor that powers it in 2008 with the help of a grant from New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). The EECA enables organisations to increase their domestic and international competitiveness by adopting energy efficiency and renewable energy practices. The organisation works with businesses to identify opportunities for energy management and help them develop action plans to make the most of these opportunities.

Good energy management has many benefits for businesses, including lower costs, increased productivity, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a positive effect on the brand.

The EECA has a particular interest in: encouraging new or under-used technology that can make processes more efficient; projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and developing the wood fuel industry.

The mobile wood chipper is one of the first of its kind in New Zealand. During a test run, the chipper produced 13 t of wood-chips in an hour using only 30 litres of diesel – that’s enough

Ernslaw Bio-Energy’s German-made HM10-500 KT is powered by a John Deere 7530 tractor chips to heat an average-sized school with a wood-chip boiler for 10 days.

According to Ernslaw Bio-Energy’s Project Manager, Murray Cowan, wood-chip boilers are “very clean-burning, very easy to use, and

We see lots of opportunities for similar systems here, especially in schools and places such as hospitals, motels and glasshouses – Murray Cowan

they’re cost effective”. He recognised their regular usage in Europe where they mostly heat water for central heating. “We see lots of opportunities for similar systems here, especially in schools and places such as hospitals, motels and glasshouses.”

Why wood?

Wood is tipped by many to become the ecofriendly fuel of the future because of its almost carbon-neutral properties. Using wood as a fuel makes particular sense in New Zealand, because wood is so widely available. New Zealand has the highest percentage of forestry cover in the Southern Hemisphere – 1.8 Mha of forest estate covering 6.7% of the total land area.

Wood also provides an environmentally-

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BIOENERGY

The company was keen to find a way of adding value to lowgrade logs, rather than simply selling them for firewood – Murray Cowan

The HM10-500 KT can chip wet and dry logs up to 500 mm in diameter friendly alternative to fossil fuels in areas such as Otago, Southland and Christchurch, where local clean air legislation will eventually restrict the use of coal-fired boilers. Wood is already widely used as an energy source in the forestry and wood processing industries, which have plenty of wood residues available onsite. The EECA is keen to support the development of this market by supplying grants to those selling or burning wood fuel in their business or organisation.

Why chips?

Wood-chips are made from wood off-cuts, firewood logs or forest residue. They are easier to produce than wood pellets, and they cost less. This makes them particularly suitable for larger institutions that require a lot of space heating, such as schools and hospitals.

However, while commercial-sized wood-chip boilers are popular in Europe they are still relatively uncommon in New Zealand. One reason is that while it is possible to convert existing coal-fired boilers to run on wood pellets, in most cases wood-chips can only be used in a purpose-built boiler. Buying a new wood-chip boiler also requires a bigger initial capital investment than converting an existing

coal boiler to wood pellets.

Another reason that wood-chip boilers are not widely used is that until recently it has been difficult to find reliable sources of quality woodchips.

“It’s a chicken and egg situation,” Cowan muses. “Noone is going to put in a wood-chip boiler if they can’t get the chips, but many companies are reluctant to invest in the chippers without clients to sell the chips to.”

Cowan said Ernslaw Bio-Energy was initially reluctant to invest in a chipper, too. However, the company, which is a subsidiary of forestry company Ernslaw One, was keen to find a way of adding value to low-grade logs, rather than simply selling them for firewood. The company could also see that the demand for wood-chips would increase as more people recognised the advantages of wood-chip boilers.

Cowan said investing in a chipper made particular sense for Ernslaw Bio-Energy because of its location in Naseby, Central Otago. The dry climate means that logs can be air-dried before they are chipped. This makes it easy to produce chips with a low-moisture content, which many wood-chip boilers need.

The use of wood chips for energy is gaining momentum in New Zealand 40 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

Why the Heizohack HM10-500 KT? The Heizohack HM10-500 KT wood chipper is a mobile wood chipper powered by the driveshaft of a John Deere 7530 tractor. The chipper has an integrated crane powered by the hydraulics of the tractor. The chipper and tractor are both road legal, so the tractor is used to tow the chipper from site to site.

The HM10-500 KT can chip wet and dry logs up to 500 mm in diameter. However, Ernslaw Bio-Energy has found that the chipper tends to slow down when it chips logs with a diameter of 250 mm or more. This is directly related to the size of the tractor used – a larger, more powerful tractor would increase the throughput of the chipper when dealing with larger logs.

The chipper can also chip branches and the tops of trees. These must be free of rocks and dirt in order to produce good-quality fuel.

Cowan pointed out that keeping branches and tops clean meant that logging crews might have to change their attitude towards them. “They need to start seeing branches and tops as things of value which need to be treated with care, rather than just waste to be pushed out of the way.” IFI

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OPERATION FOCUS – CRANES & TRUCKS Sales have increased globally for the simple Botex design

Simple solution proves popular The basic timber crane under the Botex brand is manufactured in the UK but has found an international market thanks to its simple design and low maintenance requirements

The Botex crane completes a full load

B

otex heavy duty forest loaders and trailers have been built in the UK since 1983. Originally intended as handling systems for the UK market, they can now be found as far afield as New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Africa and South America. Why, you may ask, would a manufacturer like Botex have a constantly full order book when some other manufacturers are struggling to maintain sales figures?

According to John Wilson, Partner and Sales Director of manufacturers EFM (a Botex distributor through sister company Jas. P Wilson), there are a number of reasons for their success. Since the beginning, Botex has combined heavy lifting ability (the 500 series crane lifts around 2 t at close quarters) with totally fabricated steel design, which allows major repairs to be carried out easily with the minimum of facilities. Botex does not use cast sections in either its slewing base or grapple manufacture as a failure in these areas usually requires a major rebuild or replacement of the unit.

Simplicity of design also allows almost all of the crane sections to be manufactured in house, which therefore avoids the need to stock large volumes at any one time. The only bought-in components are hydraulic control valves, rotator, hydraulic pipes, rams and gears.

These are purchased as high quality items from their major suppliers. Botex has almost 100% spare parts stocking at all times.

As the majority of export sales are direct to

the end user, this allows the product to be purchased at a price that compares favourably with lighter weight units in the destination country. Trailers can also be supplied in a variety of sizes and designs although some users will occasionally have their trailer manufactured locally (also to a design supplied

by Botex) if transport costs on a single unit become prohibitive. They can also purchase the trailer in sections for assembly upon arrival.

Many Botex products are however sold through distributors and a number have been sold into Argentina and Uruguay by agents. This is a little more complex as they tend to supply the large processing companies who thereafter distribute to the users. Other agencies are currently being discussed. Most users will combine a Botex crane with a timber trailer either with the crane mounted on the trailer or by mounting the crane on a tractor. The reason

As the majority of export sales are direct to the end user, this allows the product to be purchased at a price that compares favourably with lighter weight units in the destination country

OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 41

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CRANES & TRUCKS – OPERATION FOCUS

The Botex technology is generally well within the abilities of an agricultural/plant mechanic.

We provide technical support and information which in our experience allows these people to understand and rectify easily any problems that may occasionally occur – John Wilson

A massive log is tackled by the Botex crane

for tractor mounting is generally because these vehicles load and unload other transport machines. In Europe Botex cranes are often married to Valtra tractors made in Finland and also in South America. Those tractors are specifically designed as farm/forestry machines with all the features required, for example, rotating seat, high ground clearance and clear underbelly. Some countries however tend to combine the Botex units with whatever tractor is available at the time as most cranes will be powered by a hydraulic PTO driven pump. Even the most basic tractor will suffice for this.

Other Botex cranes are fitted to bespoke vehicles such as big chippers and waste management vehicles. You may ask how it is possible to support direct sales around the world. Wilson: “The Botex technology is generally well within the abilities of an agricultural/plant mechanic. We provide

A tractor mounted Botex crane

technical support and information which in our experience allows these people to understand and rectify easily any problems that may occasionally occur.

“An emergency parts supply system is in place for rapid delivery. Botex cranes are infinitely repairable. For example, Botex main slewing and pinioning gears are easily replaceable which does not incur major expense. Many other makes do not offer this facility. Failure of a fixed mount gear and cast slewing base would often result in the crane being written off. The replacement gear and racks for a Botex including seals and delivery would currently not exceed €2,000.”

Although the Botex factory, which is based two hours south of Glasgow, is constantly in production, new orders can generally be processed within four to six weeks from the order date.

continued from page 11

China’s economy soldiers on to give strength to wood imports pulp exports equalled 766,000 t, up 43% from the previous month and 140% higher than shipments a year earlier.

The Brazilian pulp companies have benefited from closures of pulpmills resulting in reduced production capacity in the Northern Hemisphere and an increase in demand for pulp in China. In the first quarter, shipments to China were 68% higher than the same quarter in 2008. This year, China increased imports from Brazil for two main reasons: many small domestic mills closed in China and there

were reduced imports from Indonesian pulpmills, which have had wood fibre supply problems.

The pulp industry in Brazil had a record year last year regardless of the global financial crises and the declining demand for pulp and paper products. Production reached 12.8 Mt, which was up from 11.8 Mt in 2007. Before it was apparent how severe and long lasting the financial crises probably would be, the outlook for investments in the pulp and paper sector was about $US11 billion by 2011 and another $US10 billion by 2015. With the uncertainty about

42 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

when the paper market will turn around, and the difficulty in financing some planned projects, a number of pulp projects have been postponed indefinitely.

Pulpwood and wood chip prices in Brazil fell slightly in the local currency but were higher in US dollars because of the strengthening of the Real. During the past five years, eucalyptus roundwood prices have been remarkably stable in the local currency after the dramatic price increases in 2002-2005. In the second quarter, eucalyptus and pine pulplog prices increased by

about 8% in US dollar terms, according to the WRQ. Wood fibre costs, which accounted for 58% of the total cash cost in the first quarter, were at their highest level in nine months. Prices for pulpwood traded in the open market are currently slightly lower than the global average price. So far this year, there has been an oversupply of logs in the Brazilian market but it is expected that the situation will change during the latter part of this year and into 2010.

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CUTTING EDGE

Crushing development from Seppi M The latest machine developed by Seppi M is by the company’s own admission: “very impressive – a real high performer”. It is a multi-purpose soil tiller that tills the soil to a depth of 350 mm (14 inch) or more regardless of obstructing roots and stumps.

“It will process everything”, Seppi M states. “What is left is smooth soil, ready for replanting. The same machine also crushes stones up to 300 mm (12 inch) in diameter. One, two or three passes over the stones will reduce them to dust, ready to be absorbed by the soil.

“Nothing else will perform as well as this new high power machine from Seppi M – the Maxisoil.” www.seppi.it

Maxisoil features Crushes stones up to 300 mm Mulches stumps and roots up to 500 mm Working depth of 35 mm Working speed 0.5–2 km/h Central fixed cat. 3 ISO 3-point linkage Gearbox for 1,000 rpm Double drive Hydraulically operated rear hood Hydraulically operated compacting roller for depth control Interchangeable anti-wear chassis

The Maxisoil

Protection with double chain line

Weinig PowerLock tool system celebrates 10th birthday Far-ranging technical innovations are rare things and the PowerLock is one such rarity.

The Weinig tool system generated a revolution in solid wood processing and 10 years after being launched, the enthusiasm remains as palpable as at the beginning.

The superior quality of the final product has always been the chief goal when processing solid wood and good tools are the critical factor. “For quite a while, people had to make do with a series of compromises – the tools fastened to the spindle with a nut did not have the necessary rigidity or concentricity to ensure the best quality at high feed speeds,” Weinig explained. “Satisfactory results were only achieved after the introduction of hydraulic

tools. Nevertheless, even this technology could not yield a satisfactory response to the new demands for flexibility in production.”

The decisive step came in 1999 with the PowerLock tool system. To the surprise of many, this quantum leap did not originate from a specialist, but from Weinig, a world leader in the market for machines and systems for processing solid wood. In comparison to conventional tools, the PowerLock system was much lighter, more compact and extremely easy to handle, clamping and releasing at the push of a button.

“The lightning-fast exchange of tools allows you to reduce set-up time to a minimum. This is a major factor in attracting customers who were

Weinig PowerLock – a clever idea for solid wood processing turns 10

confronted with increasingly smaller batch sizes and shorter delivery times. Nevertheless, PowerLock would not have succeeded if it were not able to artfully link greater productivity with outstanding surface quality,” the company stated.

“This is provided by the extremely precise HSK grip of the tool by a special tool holder. A respectable 3 t of pull force make the two components a perfect unit without any tolerance for fit. This enables speeds up to 12,000 rpm – an unheard of speed before PowerLock came on the scene.”

An increasing number of companies have replaced their old machines with the new Weinig Powermat series with the PowerLock system. Today, 10 years after its launch, more than 5,000 models with the PowerLock tool system are being used around the globe. Nearly every well-known tool manufacturer includes it in their standard line. Of course, just like with every outstanding development, PowerLock had its imitators. Nevertheless, on its 10th anniversary, the patented original Weinig PowerLock tool system is still clearly the leader, according to the developer.

Peter Martin, Manager of Development: “Only the Weinig PowerLock runs up to 12,000 rpm, is joinable up to 10,000 rpm, and achieves feed speeds up to 200 m/minute if necessary.”

Another unique feature is its 300 mm working width without an outboard bearing. In addition, only Weinig is able to deliver machines, tools and accessories from a single source. Perfectly harmonised grinding and measuring systems, adjusting tools and software that transfers online data to the machine control are all there to ensure that the system can operate at maximum efficiency.

An entire decade of experience with the HSK clamping system has kept the world's leader in the market in first place, according to Martin.

“Our problem is being number one. Weinig PowerLock will remain highly attractive to woodworkers around the world in the future as well." www.weinig.com OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 43

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CUTTING EDGE

Deutz puts on powerful summer show Deutz, the internationally renowned diesel engine manufacturer, put its range of Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim compliant engines on public display for three weeks in July, as well as showing off its range of exhaust after treatments.

Stage IIIB/Tier 4 legislation is a major issue today, and Deutz has made the delivery of compliant engines a major priority. Visitors to the show, held at the company’s offices in Cannock, were able to see production versions of these engines, as well as exhaust after treatments, for themselves. They saw the actual engine sizes and had an opportunity to discuss any aspect of the technology and the implications of the Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim legislation with Deutz experts.

During the three weeks, Deutz held daily sessions at its offices, designed to allow interested parties to assess the engines for themselves and to take advantage of the company’s technical expertise and experience in both the both new engine and aftermarket sectors. As well as the company’s pioneering

hybrid power unit, the Deutz engines on display included: • TD 2009 L4 – 3 and 4-cylinder naturally aspirated in-line engines • TD 2010 L4 – 4 cylinder in-line engines • TCD 2012 L6 4V – Water cooled 4 and 6cylinder in-line engines • TCD 2013 L6 4V – Water-cooled 4 and 6cylinder in-line engines • TCD 2015 V6 – Liquid-cooled V6 and V8 cylinder, 90° engines.

There was also a display of Exhaust After Treatment (EAT) options, Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), Selective Catalytic Reducers (SCR) and Particulate Oxidation Catalysts (POC).

Doosan increases appeal with customer support package Doosan Infracore America launched Doosan Elite Plus, which has been designed to provide customers with comprehensive product support solutions that help increase productivity, reduce downtime and improve the customers’ bottom line.

Doosan Elite Plus is a product support program designed to protect and enhance resale value and help the customer control costs. Doosan’s repair-beforefailure approach allows customers to manage cash flow.

“Doosan Elite Plus is tailored to fit the needs of our customers by providing solutions that reduce owning and operating costs and maximise uptime,” Michael Stanley, President and Chief Operating Officer of Doosan Infracore America, said. “In today’s tough economy, we recognise that our customers are working harder than ever to meet demands. With Doosan Elite Plus we provide customers the peace of mind they need to focus on their business.”

Elite Plus offers the following support programs: Doosan Elite Assurance, an extended warranty program, preventative maintenance programs, Doosan GPS, Doosan’s Component Oil Analysis Program, Remanufacturing and All-Makes parts and attachments. Each one of these programs can be used separately or as a comprehensive product system for a customers’ fleet.

“The cost of doing business today is expensive, and Doosan Elite Plus provides tools that help prepare the customer for the unexpected, which reduces owning and operating costs,” Doosan Elite Plus Program Manager Brian Myers said. “Our programs, such as extended warranty and All-Makes parts, provide customers a one-stopshop for all their product needs at reduced rates. It all adds up to improving the customers’ bottomline.” www.doosan.com

44 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

Deutz is ideally positioned to deliver on increasingly stringent emission requirements

July also marked two other significant occasions for the company: firstly, it launched the Deutz training facility where the company offers training across all engine-related fields including emissions, servicing, engine management software EMR and application installation; and secondly, it launched its new website. www.deutz-driven.co.uk

Morbark expands dealer network to Alabama Morbark has signed a dealer agreement with Warrior Tractor and Equipment, based in Northport, Alabama, to represent the recycling and forestry product lines in Alabama, Arkansas and three counties in Tennessee (Wayne, Lawrence and Giles). Warrior Tractor currently operates twelve branch locations in Alabama and Arkansas. This agreement is a significant contribution to Morbark’s commitment to support customers by expanding its service and support network.

Warrior Tractor will handle Morbark’s complete line of forestry machines including biomass chippers, Chiparvestors and flails. They will also cater to the recycling industry with Morbark tub and horizontal grinders. Morbark chippers and grinders are well-known for their market-leading wood waste reduction technology.

“We feel that aligning the Morbark product line with an exemplary dealership will be a

benefit for both companies and the customers being served,” Morbark Western Regional Sales Manager Patrick Andres said.

“We are looking forward to this new partnership.”

President of Warrior Tractor Gene Taylor agreed, “We are very pleased to be partnered with Morbark. We feel the Morbark line will enhance our current product lines in the forestry and recycling segments.”

Warrior Tractor and Equipment has been in business for more than 42 years. Its parts and service departments combine highly skilled technicians with experienced management, so each customer can be confident in services provided. In addition to Morbark, Warrior Tractor offers sales, parts, and service for John Deere, Hitachi, Sakai, Fuchs, Lull, Harlo, Talbert, Mantsinen, and Peterbilt Trucks. www.warriortractor.com, www.warriorark.com and www.morbark.com

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AHWI’s rich harvest With EU directives seeking the proportion of electricity produced by renewable energy sources be increased to an equivalent of 22% of the total electricity generated by next year AHWI the southern German manufacturer, is looking to capitalise on this with the launch of its latest harvesting system developments for extensive recovery and collection of biomass.

The aim of the AHWI engineering team behind the project was to develop a

practically-oriented squeezer attachment for tractors, or other similar carrier units, to shred, retrieve and load ligneous biomass. The technical implications of this new development mean that, where previously the recovery of biomass from logging debris was only possible with enormous effort, biomass won from extensively recultivated areas or small wood piles in racks or on skid trails can be harvested with extreme costefficiency.

Biomass Harvester H600

Biomass Harvester H600 The current single-stage harvesting techniques work only in row-independent (e.g. short rotation) plantations. The twostage techniques based on feller bunchers or bailers have very poor area coverage. Thereafter, the harvest must be shredded using a chipper in the second stage.

The company has developed a fully mechanized, row independent collection system for the harvest in more difficult biomass collection areas. While moving forwards, upright material is transferred, while flattened ligneous biomass material can be assimilated via a horizontally arranged rotor system equipped

with specially developed tools in just one operational step. A container within the machine housing is then able to transfer the shredded material to an accompanying trailer or collecting bin while the vehicle is moving.

With several units operational in Germany, Hungary, Austria and Denmark, the latest biomass harvesting system from AHWI Maschinenbau GmbH is already proving its operational efficiency.

In addition to its more conventional use, this system can also be used for nutrient depletion of biotope and in natural conservation areas. www.ahwi.com

Tigercat replaces 630C skidder with high capacity 630D The new D-series skidders are the most efficient, high production and operator-friendly ever produced by Tigercat. While the 630C was equipped with an 8.3 litre engine, the D-series is powered by the 260 hp Cummins QSB6.7 Tier III. Improvements to the hydrostatic drive line enable

the 630D to get improved performance and superior fuel economy out of the smaller displacement engine.

A variable/reversible pitch Flexxaire engine mounted fan further contributes to energy efficiency by automatically matching the fan blade pitch to

The ergonomic cab in the Tigercat D-series skidders

cooling requirements.

Inside the cab, the 630D is equipped with Turnaround. The revolutionary rotating seat has a two-position mechanical lock providing full rear-facing drive capability. The steering wheel has been replaced with an armrest mounted joystick for improved ergonomics. Drive pedals are located at both the front and rear of the cab. Combined with Tigercat's hydrostatic driveline,

Turnaround allows the operator to travel in reverse while comfortably facing the rear. The full speed range is available, whether in forward or reverse.

The next generation IQAN control system has improved functionality and a simpler, more intuitive user interface. The arch has been redesigned for improved visibility, more powerful holding force and quicker cycle time. www.tigercat.com

OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 45

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SHOW DIRECTORY 2009/10 OCTOBER 26 – 28, 2009

6th Timberland Investment Summit Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York, USA

Mastering the Ultimate Inflation Hedge: Insight and Strategies for Delivering Superior Returns at the 6th Timberland Investment World Summit Timberland's proven steady returns, low volatility and non-correlation with global stock prices make it an extremely attractive asset class – and one that should be leveraged as an inflation hedge during this time of uncertainty.

That’s the message from the International Quality & Productivity Center, a conference coordinator and the power behind the 6th Timberland Investment World Summit. For this year’s event in New York, IQPC has convened some of the most outstanding experts in the timberland space to lead discussions that are designed to accelerate understanding of this challenging, yet potentially lucrative investment.

Senior executives from the entire timberlands value chain will be meeting to discuss critical themes including the changing global market, institutional timberland investment strategies and cash flow generation opportunities.

Exciting innovations this year include the Pension & Endowment Fund Think Tank and an Interactive roundtable discussion on key international timberland markets.

Offering a strictly off-line and off the record discussion, the exclusive hour-long Pension & Endowment Fund Think Tank is limited to participants from pension and endowment funds. Attendees are invited to bring a specific and current topic of interest or challenge to discuss with their peers, and can be related to portfolio optimisation strategies, market timing, access strategies or risk management for timberland investments.

The Global Investment Picture for Timberland interactive roundtable discussion serves as a forum for delegates to receive detailed information on the markets in which they are most interested. Key international timberland markets will include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Russia, South Africa and Uruguay.

Other topics covered at the event include forest biotechnology, high yield forestry techniques, the role of IT in the timberland appraisal process and C-Level perspectives on the future of the TIMO, featuring the chief executives of Timbervest, RMK, and the Campbell Group. For full complete session topics in the agenda, the brochure is available at www.timberlandinvestmentsummit.com.

Session leaders feature prominent timberland experts such as: • Chip Dillon, Managing Director, Credit Suisse (A Top 3 paper analyst) • Sandy LaBaugh, Director of Alternative Investments, TIAA-CREF • Miles Drake, Chief Technology Officer, Weyerhaeuser • Sue Ryan Goodman, Portfolio Manager, Real Estate & Timber, APG Investments • Tom Temple, Vice President, Wood Products, Potlatch Corporation Existing investors and those new to timberland both will benefit from content and information as well as the networking opportunities offered at the summit.

http://www.timberlandworldsummit.com/

Don’t miss out!. As a partner of this event, International Forest Industries offers you a 20% off the standard pricing for the event!

Contact Kim Vigilia directly at 1-212-885-2753 or kim.vigilia@iqpc.com with reference code IUS_IFI_#1.

46 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

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SHOW DIRECTORY 2009/10

For the complete IFI Show Directory 2009/10/11 visit http://corporate.internationalforestindustries.com/issues.asp or email emma@internationalforestindustries.com for the digital version

OCTOBER 29 – 30, 2009

FICA Annual Conference 2009 Warengarei, New Zealand The Forest Industry Contractors Association exists to promote business growth and efficiency for the benefit of New Zealand’s forestry contracting industry.

www.fica.org.nz

NOVEMBER 2 – 4, 2009

Annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention La Quinta Resort- La Quinta, California, USA For More Information Contact: Rikki Wellman, Executive Director Pacific Logging Congress PO Box 1281 Maple Valley, WA 98038 Tel: 425-413-2808 Fax: 425-413-1359 Email: Rikki@pacificloggingcongress.com,

http://www.pacificloggingcongress.org/

NOVEMBER 10 – 14, 2009

Agritechnica 2009 defies global economic downturn Hannover, Germany World’s biggest agricultural machinery exhibition including Forestry & Biomass, Agritechnica, the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, takes place in November and, judging by the number of registrations received so far, looks set to defy the global economic downturn. Bookings are at the same high level as for the recordbreaking event two years ago, and the DLG (Deutsch Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft - German Agricultural Society), the organiser of the event, expects around 2,000 manufacturers of tractors, agricultural machinery and equipment from Germany and abroad to attend. According to the managing director of the DLG’s Exhibitions department, Dr Jochen Köckler, all the global manufacturers of agricultural equipment have already registered and are planning to take large stands at the Agritechnica market place.

So far, around 180 new exhibitors have also registered. Dr Köckler sees this as confirmation of the widespread view that the prospects for agribusiness are good, thanks to the anticipated worldwide increase in demand for food and for biomass from agricultural commodities.

http://www.agritechnica.com/828.0.html

OCTOBER 2009 | International Forest Industries 47

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SALES OFFICES • ADVERTISER INDEX SALES OFFICES UK, Europe, South Africa, US East Coast, & Canada CONTACT: Phil Playle or David Lansdowne Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777 Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617 Email: phil@internationalforestindustries.com or david@internationalforestindustries.com

Japan CONTACT: Yuko Ishihara Japan Advertising Communications, Inc. Star Bldg., 3-10-3 Kanda Jimbocho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051 Tel: 81-3-3261-4591 Fax: 81-3-3261-6126 Email: ishihara@media-jac.co.jp

Western USA (AZ, CA, NV, UT) Australia, & New Zealand CONTACT: George Roman Roy McDonald Associates, Inc 4779 Luna Ridge Court, Las Vegas NV 89129, USA Tel: +1 (702) 515 7247 Fax: +1 (702) 515 7248 Email: george@roymcdonald.com

AHWI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.ahwi.com Alliance Tire Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 alliance-tire-group.com Bandit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.banditchippers.com Catech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.catech.se Clark Tracks Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 www.clarktracks.com Combilift Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 www.combilift.com John Deere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.deere.com/forestry ESRI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC www.esri.com/forestry EWD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FC & 23 www.ewd.de Hägele GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 www.cleanfix.org Komatsu Forest AS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 www.komatsuforest.no

Nokian Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 www.nokiantyres.com/heavy tyres OFA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.ofachain.net Precigrader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 www.precigrader.com Select Sawmill Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 www.selectsawmill.com 6th Timberland Investment World Summit www.timberlandworldsummit.com . . . . . IBC Tigercat www.tigercat.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Trelleborg www.trelleborg.com/wheelsystems . . . . . 15 Volvo Forestry Solutions www.volvoce.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Wallingfords Inc www.wallingfords.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Waratah www.waratah.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

TYRES & CHAINS (continued from page 19) been developed and proven in the Swedish forests.

Today the most popular chain is Superstud 130 on smaller tyres (13 mm chain and 16 mm U-studs) and Superstud 160 on bigger tyres (16 mm chain and 19 mm U-stud). For stony

Western USA (MT, ID, OR,WA) CONTACT: Bob Warren Lansdowne Media Services Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1442 877 777 Fax: +44 (0)1442 870 617 Email: bob@internationalforestindustries.com

Megastud 160TS Crosschain 16mm U-stud 19 mm Sidechain 13 mm Tensionchain 9 mm Rust protected by dark blue chainpaint.

Links and U-studs are both pressure and mig welded together for outstanding traction

US Mid-West, Central & Mountain CONTACT: Kevin Lapham J.P.Media Inc 1163 E.Ogden Ave, Ste. 705-359 Naperville IL 60563, USA Tel: +1 (630) 420 9752 Fax: +1 (630) 420 9763 Email: lapham@jpmediainc.com

South America CONTACT: Ricardo Cortés Editec S.A. Avda del Cóndor 844 Of. 205, Cuidad Empresarial Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile Tel: +56 2 757 4200 Fax: +56 2 757 4201 Email: rcortes@editec.cl

Poland & Central Eastern Europe CONTACT: Piotr Gaber Media4M Nowosadecka 25/21, 30-683 Krakow, Poland T: +48 12 394 58 48 F: +48 12 383 23 94 E: mail@media4m.pl 48 International Forest Industries | OCTOBER 2009

Gunnebo Megastud 160TS *=TS= Tyre side protection and tension chain

areas you can get Superstud with extra side wall protection for the tyre. Additionally, for muddy and sticky conditions Superstud is suitable with a more-open, self-cleaning pattern. For those who are working on very steep terrain, Gunnebo Megastud is the best choice. It has very aggressive double U-studs which give excellent grip. Megastud is also the popular choice for skidder owners. IFI

We specialise in the Forestry and Mining sectors with clients ranging across the spectrum from small to large. Email us for a quote: cobraadvertising@aol.com ADVERTISING • DESIGN • BROCHURES • MARKETING

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