High interest rates continue to create problems

High interest rates and global unrest are still creating problems for the Swedish and global timber markets – resulting in higher timber prices, reduced sawmill production and larger stockpiles of timber products.

The economy will no doubt turn around when the construction industry eventually picks up speed again – but this probably won’t be until next fall.

International CEO: "Norra Timber delivers exceptional quality"

One of Norra Timber's largest export customers is Swefl based in Egypt. In May of this year the company’s CEO Nagy Mubasher and his sons visited Norra Timber's headquarters in Sweden, when we took the opportunity to ask him about our collaboration.

Norra Timber makes huge investment in Kåge Sawmill to maximize use of forest resources

Norra Timber is investing heavily in its sawmill in Kåge. A brand new 300 meter-long log sorting facility is now up and running, while a new CT scanner providing full reconstructions of the internal features of every log has recently been installed and is undergoing testing.

Norra Timber invests SEK 400 million in advanced X-ray technology

New X-ray technology at Norra Timber's sawmills in Sävar and Kåge will be able to identify the internal properties of logs, such as knots and other imperfections.

“Our investment amounts to a substantial total of SEK 400 million”, says Norra Timber’s Industry Manager, Henrik Jönsson.

Forests must be used to create greatest climate benefit

Forests are fundamental to addressing the urgent challenges facing our climate. Unfortunately too many people misunderstand how forests can best contribute to solving our climate problems. Many believe leaving old forests untouched to act as carbon ‘sinks’ is a good solution - but the truth is it’s probably the worst thing we can do.

How Nordic forests are helping in the battle against climate change

Sweden, Norway and Finland all have extremely active forestry industries. A report compiled by the Swedish University of Agriculture, SLU, reveals that the carbon sink in these three countries together has tripled in just under 60 years, while felling has increased by 40 percent.

“Forestry benefits our climate in many ways. Around 3.95 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is sequestered via photosynthesis in our members' forests alone each year”, says Patrik Jonsson, Head of Forestry & Wood supply at Norra Skog.

Norra Timber's utility pole factory posts record sales despite recession

Norra Timber's utility pole factory in Agnäs set a new financial record in 2023 as sales soared despite the recession.
 
“Strange as it may sound, a recession is usually good for us. That’s because large infrastructure projects are often carried out globally, which favors the sale of electricity and telecommunication poles”, says the factory’s Site Manager Johan Lundberg.

Save time by building fences with pre-painted cladding panels

Using factory-painted exterior cladding to build fences has several advantages. You can, of course, save a lot of time, but the boards and paint finish are quality guaranteed (CMP), which means you’ll also get quality wood materials and a consistent paint color that has been applied by a controlled moisture and surface treatment process. In other words, you’ll get a guaranteed and sustainable product every time.

More environmentally friendly transport booking system

There are increasing demands from the construction industry and customers for better and more environmentally friendly transport solutions. Since the turn of the year, all Norra Timber’s sites have implemented a new transport booking system that identifies more sustainable freight solutions and makes it easier to follow them up. 

Norra Timber reduces annual carbon dioxide emissions with new electric forklifts

Norra Timber has invested in two electric forklift trucks and a newly-built charging station at its sawmill in Sävar. The investment is part of a modernization of the company’s vehicle fleet and has slashed the sawmill’s carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 144 tons per year.

Turnaround in sight for the sawmill industry

I believe this year will end better than it started for the forestry industry.

“Important to understand the culture and people”

Daniel Färdeman is an export salesperson at Norra Timber and sells sawn timber into markets such as the USA, Europe and Asia. 

“There’s always a lot going on”, he says and laughs. 

New digital check-in and check-out system

A new digital system that makes it easier for drivers to pick up their loads is being beta-tested at Norra Timber’s sawmills. Whereas previously registration of a driver’s load and route had to be manually entered, the process is now fully automated.
“We are leading innovation in our industry in Sweden”, says Per Boman, System Manager at Norra Timber. 

They took a shortcut to their dream house

Renovating an old timbered farmhouse from the inside out is a labor of love that takes time.

New 300-meter-long timber sorting facility being built at Kåge Sawmill

”The installation represents a technological advancement that will allow every log to be traced and documented throughout the entire sawing process”, says Industry Manager Henrik Jönsson.

Premiums that reward timber felling

It is important for the entire forestry industry that timber can be felled and delivered whatever the season - even during wet and rainy periods of the year. That’s why Norra Skog has raised its premiums to encourage, among other things, ​​fellings during the snow-free season. 

An ‘Inbetween Year’ for Norra Skog

Despite this result, the company’s board has proposed increasing profit-sharing to its members as part of its long-term view that the value of its members' timber supplied over generations of forest management should not be affected by short-term fluctuations in the forest economy.

Norra Timber invests in sustainable packaging

Norra Timber aims to reduce the use of new plastic materials and promote a more circular economy by using a combination of recycled plastic and fully recyclable packaging material.

“Sweden has high-quality timber”

Zahid Rasheed from Lahore in Pakistan visited Norra Timber last December and was shown around two of our sawmills.

From plant to plank - A holistic approach matters to Hanna Ostman

Having previously worked in both the forestry and sawmill industries, Hanna Östman is taking the next step in the value chain as she assumes her new role within international sales at Norra Timber.

Mending a bad reputation

Impregnated wood has an undeservedly bad reputation and has in fact been a safe material choice for years, believes Fredrik Westin, CEO of the Swedish Wood Preserving Association, which is behind the publication ‘An Environmental Handbook for Treated Timber.

TEXT: KAROLINA EDSTEDT
PHOTO: ÖRJAN KARLSSON & DANIEL STRÖM

Ai plays matchmaker at Sävar Sawmill

The industrial boom in northern Sweden continues at pace, with substantial investments taking place at Norra Skog's Norra Timber sawmill in Sävar. Rather than slowing down through the current tough recession, the sawmill owned by Norra Skog's forestry owner’s association has opted to invest heavily to the amount of half a billion SEK. Cutting-edge technology upgrades are strengthening the sawmill’s reputation as one of the most modern facilities of its kind anywhere in the world.