Seeing and understanding profiled timber

The term 'Think European' is becoming increasingly important – also for the planing industry. Quality-oriented production of planed timber products is the paramount idea upon which the Association of European Planing Mill Industry (VEH) is based. Guaranteed quality – way above average – is the only way how new customers can be attracted and existing ones retained.

New members

The VEH has recently admitted two new partners: Holz Henkel as an ordinary member and Alpin Massivholz as an associate member. Holz Henkel has been established in 1888. The construction of its planing mill in Göttingen/DE in 1954/55 has been the basis for corporate success. The company then evolved into one of the largest planing mills in Germany. On only five planing lines, Holz Henkel today produces more than 100,000 m³ of planed timber annually and supplies craft, industry, trade and DIY-stores in Germany and its neighboring countries.
Alpine Massivholz based in Turgl/CH has a wide range of planed timber, finishes, flooring systems, panels and structural wood. It is a very active company, with many reference projects in its history and with impressive showings at exhibitions. "We warmly welcome our two new members", says VEH's Managing Director Rainer Handl, who emphasizes the international scope as one of the great strengths of the association.

Strong in unity

For over 30 years, the VEH has been the leading voice and the first contact when it comes to planed timber. The benefits of membership are obvious, according to Handl: support in research and development, quality-oriented production of planed timber and more market transparency. What is more, the society provides a platform where members can exchange views and experience. The tasks of the association include the representation of its members in dealings with government agencies, institutions and economic organizations, the promotion of cooperation with foreign associations and advertising and public relations for quality-assured planed timber.
The last VEH-meeting took place in Tulln on June 26. This year's focus was on the "terrace brochure". It is currently being finalized and adresses the need for information concerning the use of wood grades and wood species in outdoor applications. In addition, results of new short- and long-term studies are being presented. The brochure is designed to be support and guideline in the hands of consumers and experts alike. "Issues like the durability and maintenance of different wood species in outdoor use are of great importance. This brochure addresses just that", says the President of the VEH, Wolfgang Leitinger. A short presentation conducted by experts of the Holzforschung Austria (HFA), including a guided tour through the trial terraces, was also part of the program.

Compact overview of planed profiles

The VEH-quality guidelines for planed profiles are available in a handy booklet. Assessing the quality of planed goods such as profiled boards or slats is not always an easy thing to do – not for consumers and sometimes not even experts. Therefore the VEH has launched the "Quality Guidelines for Planed Profiles" as a VEH special edition. The guidelines are geared towards customer needs and market conditions. External auditors determine whether or not planed products comply with these quality standards. This ensures that the customer can expect to get a product which fulfills highest quality standards. The small, 59-page brochure – available in German, English and Italian – with enclosed CD-ROM can be ordered from VEH. Fold-out tables and the language selection make it very user-friendly.

New web presence

A strong association needs a marked appearance. Thus, a redesigned website of the association has recently been launched. The website includes an individual newsletter tool. This is most efficient way to convey news, changes and important dates to subscribers. Those who want to subscribe to the news service click on the button for the newsletter subscription on the homepage. The website also provides a link to the VEH BestSeller App which allows the user get a compact overview of profile boards.

Association of the European Planing Mill Industry (VEH)

Founded: 1976
Headquarters: Vienna
Managing Director: Rainer Handl
President: Wolfgang Leitinger
Members: 20 ordinary and 10 associate members
Quality grading: VEH A (100%), VEH top (at least 60% graded VEH A), VEH AB (at least 30% graded VEH A), VEH B (100%)