Nordautomation's managing director Pauli Ojala with production manager Antti Puumala and the German speaking distribution team - Helge und Irja Keitel - in front of a system that is soon to be delivered to the client
Visitors of Keitele Timber in the eponymous Finnish town, about a three hour drive north of Helsinki, are offered an impressive sight. It is here that Nordautomation from Alajärvi has installed probably the world’s longest log sorting system which consists of 126 boxes. This literally far-reaching investment has made it possible for the company to achieve efficiency in the production of various fixed lengths and customised solutions for cutting and the subsequent production of glued laminated timber. This is how the sawmill, in a two-shift operation, processes the wood which is primarily exported to Japan.
“Nordautomation has been our partner for 35 years”, explains Matti Kylävainio, managing director of Keitele. “We can count on their expertise, innovative power and client orientation in every project that we do together. We are an ever-growing company, but we don’t want to force an additional night shift on our employees and neighbours. With their cleverly placed rubber elements, Nordautomation’s machines also reduce noise during the day. In times of an increasing lack of specialised staff, measures which aim at the well-being of employees are essential.” Keitele produces many fixed but also customised lengths, mainly from spruce and pine wood. In order to be profitable, every centimetre counts when cutting the logs and precise sorting plays a central role.
Never off the rack
At Nordautomation’s production site in Alajärvi, one can see quite clearly that considerable know-how has been invested into a seemingly normal sawmill infeed or log sorting system. Every order is handled by a project manager who discusses details and various aspects of the project with the client. In the design department, individual parts are developed which are functionally important for the specific machine or system. After being in constant dialogue with and getting the go-ahead from the client, the necessary material is ordered and produced. Processes include casting, welding, sandblasting, varnishing in the desired colour, and soon also milling by using plasma technology. “Our clients appreciate the little things”, says Pauli Ojala, managing director of Nordautomation. “For example, we always advise our clients to have movable parts varnished in a different colour, so as to increase industrial safety and facilitate maintenance.” Innovative power is another strong suit of the company. Ojala is in regular contact with research facilities and takes every opportunity to stay informed about existing and future challenges. The company’s planned expansion to the German market, for example, is preceded by intensive research on its dynamics and characteristics.
