Mayr-Melnhof Holz-sawmill for sale

Mayr-Melnhof Holz, Leoben/AT, the lumber division of the Austrian forest industry group, is considering the sale of its sawmill in Frankenmarkt/AT. According to CEO Richard Stralz, several companies are showing interest in the acquisition. Whether or not the operation will actually be sold will depend on the price, Stralz emphasizes. Currently Frankenmarkt is "deeply in the black", even though running only one shift. A final decision on the sale is expected until year end. The reason why Mayr-Melnhof Holz (MM) is considering selling the site is the overcapacity in the group. MM’s Austrian sawmill operations Frankenmarkt and Leoben combined have a annual conversion capacity of 2.1 million sm³ of logs. Yet only 1.4 million sm³/yr were processed lately. In case the Frankenmarkt sawmill in the province of Upper Austria were actually sold, MM would be able to better utilize its Leoben mill, said Stralz.

At the same time, processing facilities in Gaishorn/AT are being expanded. The assembly of the second CLT-line is on schedule to go online in February 2015. In the first year of operation, the production volume should rise from 50.000 m³ to 65,000 m³.

There are also changes with regard to the group's personnel. Long-time Chief Technology Officer Gebhart Dünser will leave the company at year end. He will be replaced by two technical managers for the divisions lumber and further processing. They share the responsibility with commercial directors Josef Steiner (lumber) and Christoph Zimmermann (further processing).

Another new figure in the group is Bernhard Waldner, who acted as Managing Director of Norica Timber Vertrieb GmbH at Hasslacher, Sachsenburg/AT, until the end of August. Waldner will start working for MM at the turn of the year. His exact role in the company has not yet been specified by Mayr-Melnhof Holz.