Nov 02, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. UPM's Chudovo Plywood Mill celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 3, 2010. The mill has been the pioneer of the modern plywood industry in Russia and continues to set benchmark for the local plywood industry, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. The Chudovo mill manufactures top quality WISA® birch plywood and veneer from local raw material. In addition to standard plywood and veneer, one third of the mill's production is further processed by coating. The mill's products are used primarily in transport and construction industries and carpentry. The mill produces also special plywood for the LNG carriers. Approximately 75% of the mills production goes to exports, primarily to Europe. The location in Chudovo in the Novgorod region, close to St Petersburg, is very good when it comes to transport infrastructure. Road, rail and sea ports are all easily accessible. The mill has a central role in UPM Plywood's distribution business as well as in birch plywood production in general. "Since the early days, the mill's production capacity has doubled to the current 100,000 cubic meters per year. Also, the mill's operational efficiency and the degree of further processing have consistently increased over the years. This is largely due to the long term commitment of the local personnel, of which, many have worked there since the very beginning", says Jouni Töyräs, Vice President, Distribution Business Unit at UPM Plywood.