Systematic work with planning, maintenance and efficiency improvements underlies the increase in production volumes. A third shift was also introduced in September 2015. The total raw material consumption is 1.2 million cubic metres.

"The type of construction timber produced at Värö is used for housing construction, for example, and is in high demand," says Anders Pålsson, Sawmill Manager.

Room for more

Production at the Värö sawmill comprises 80 percent spruce and 20 percent pine. While core markets are located in the UK and the US, the sawmill also supplies China, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden. And full production capacity has not yet been reached:

"We have more capacity. Working in an industry with high demand, interested customers and strong regrowth of the raw material is positive," says Anders Pålsson. "Wood has many advantages. It absorbs CO2 throughout its entire lifetime, for example, which makes a positive contribution to the climate."

The sawmill and the pulp mill at Värö make up a combined plant, where both operations benefit from their proximity to each other. This includes environmental benefits, such as more efficient handling of bark, sawdust and chips which are converted to green energy and district heating. Both of the mill operations are electrically self-sufficient, and bark, for example, is sold for conversion to district heating.

Södra has been operating the sawmill at Värö since 1974, but the new facility was commissioned in 2011 and fully expanded in 2014. The facility has been adapted several times to increase production efficiency. And more adaptations are planned.

As production volumes increase, new opportunities and challenges are arising. And we are accustomed to taking advantage of such opportunities," says Anders Pålsson.