“Access to raw material has been a challenge of late in the sawmill industry, but we have solved this issue better than many others. In addition, our raw material comes from sustainable forestry - often from small family properties,” says Jonas Arvidsson, Timber Marketing Manager at Norra Skog.
Despite the turmoil in the timber market, Norra Skog has continued to contract both final felling and thinning assignments at a steady pace. Part of the association’s success lies in its focus on training new machine operators and supporting contractors in the logging sector.
“We are aware of the challenges surrounding certification requirements and the lack of logging resources. That is why we are investing in training, support for new machine operators and collaborations with international operators to secure logging resources. Our members will get the help they need”, says Jonas Arvidsson.
But Norra Skog’s work goes beyond securing access to raw materials. The association works actively with economic policy and political advocacy to promote long-term and sustainable forestry. Through dialogue with political decision-makers and a focus on nature conservation issues, Norra Skog wants to create the best possible conditions for its members.
In addition to its economic policy work, Norra Skog has also developed its range of services to meet the needs of its 27,000 members, who together own over 2.2 million hectares of forest land in northern Sweden. The association offers a comprehensive selection of services that includes forestry advice, financial and legal services and a dedicated forestry inspector assigned to each member.
“Our goal is for our members to feel secure with their forest ownership. Thanks to our pricing and unique profit-sharing models, they can rest assured that we are always working for their best interests, regardless of any market fluctuations”, says Jonas Arvidsson.
Despite a turbulent economic environment, Norra Skog stands firm.
“We will continue to develop our services and support our members. At the same time we will ensure a stable production of raw materials and products that contribute to a more sustainable society, which makes us well equipped for the challenges of the future”.