Södra buys German sawmill from Klausner and moves it to Värö, Sweden

Apr 19, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Södra confirmed its decision to invest in a new sawmill in Värö, Sweden. This project will be expedited through the acquisition of machinery and equipment from the German sawmill company Klausner Group's plant in Adelebsen, Germany. The expansion means that production will almost triple from today's 275 000 cubic metres to 750 000 cubic metres per year, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. Klausner's plant in Adelebsen has only been in operation for a year and is one of Europe's most modern sawmills. The entire facility will be moved to Värö. “With the investment in Värö, we get a cost effective and flexible mill. This strengthens our competitiveness which is very important both in the timber market and in the raw materials market,” said Södra's CEO, Leif Brodén. “Important reasons for Södra investing in Värö are its proximity to the pulp mill and to a seaport, and the combined advantage in the form of energy, logistics and chips. Besides that, we have common recourses in many areas,” said Peter Nilsson, CEO at Södra Timber. Klausner will be responsible for the relocation and start-up of the plant in Värö. Construction will start in Värö during summer 2010 with production forecast to begin at the new mill during the spring of 2011. Production at the existing sawmill in Värö will not be interrupted during the construction period. By using an existing plant, both construction time and start-up time will be limited. Södra Timber produces about 1.7 million cubic metres per year and is one of the leading manufacturers of construction wood in Europe. The company operates 10 sawmills in the south of Sweden and its products are sold primarily to Scandinavia, the Netherlands, U.K. and the U.S.