Södra is Investing in the Långasjö Sawmill


Stockholm, Sweden 26 July 2017 -- Södra is investing just over SEK 100 million in the Långasjö sawmill and mid-July marks a milestone in the major investment project. This is when the old sawmill from 1982 will be demolished to make way for a new profiling line. A total of 25 people are working with dismantling operations. The sawmill will return to full production by the end of October.

The investment will increase capacity at the sawmill from 280,000 m³ to 360,000 m³. A capacity increase equivalent to 15 more timber trucks per day. To achieve this, the old small-diameter timber saw line will be replaced with a new profiling curve sawing line. This means throughput at the saw will be simplified and streamlined. In addition, a stacker and binding stick stacker is being built, a brand new wood dryer and a new 8,000-square-metre warehouse.The sawmill is the heart of the operation and the last log was sawn in the old saw line on Thursday, 20 July. Work then began demolishing the old small-diameter timber saw line.

"25 people are working during the week with dismantling operations. It is demanding work, where each person removes two tonnes of scrap metal per hour. On 31 July, the premises will be ready to begin moving in the new profiling line. The premises are also being extended to manage the boards and planks from the new line," said Markus Förster, project manager for the profiling line.

The sawmill currently consists of one line for large dimensions and one for small-diameter timber, where the large-dimension line will be retained. The small-diameter line will be replaced with a fully optimised profiling line with a maximum speed of 150 metres per minute, compared with the current speed of 88 metres per minute. The supplier is AriVislanda. The production line will be adjusted between 11 September and 15 October. From November, it will be in full production.

The sub-projects for the new wood dryer and new warehouse are already complete and the new stacker is scheduled for takeover by mid-November.

The investment also means 25 new jobs in Långasjö. Employees at the Torsås sawmill, which will close down this autumn, have been able to apply for these jobs.