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It was bought for the manufacture of 12 m glulam with a dimension of 45 by 130 mm, for example. We have also calculated 5 to 6% for off-cuts and 1% for defected lamellae. Together with a trim waste of 1% it all comes to a reduction of 7 to 8% for the final size. Purchased dimension times loss (1,075 as medium factor) divided by the sold dimension (here 40 by 120 mm) equals a yield factor of 1.31. € 213/m³ times the yield factor equals lumber costs of € 279/m³.
It takes five lamellae to produce a cross section of 120 x 200 mm. Assuming 300 g/m² for the glueing, you need 7 kg/m³ of glue. Another 1 kg/m³ for the finger joints makes a total of 8 kg/m³.
On the assumption that glue costs are € 1.6/kg, our company has to pay around € 13/m³. With operating costs of € 4/m³, this adds up to 296 €/m³. For a product like this, production costs of 75 €/m³ may be assumed on a modern line. Ten years ago this figure was € 20 to € 30/m³ higher. But then again, the 75 €/m³-production cost estimate is without imputed costs.
A truck load for a distance of 450 km can be fixed at € 750. Depending on the commission share the cargo probably varies between 30 and 50 m³. With an average of 35 m³, the freight costs will be € 21/m³. Materials plus production costs add up to € 399/m³. Now the representative has to be paid with 3% of the final price (which was, until recently, € 400/m³ in Italy). This makes an additional € 12/m³ and brings the total to 411 €/m³.
For Italy, you should now think about the cost of funding for a 90 days term of payment. German customers, on the other hand, require discounts or sometimes receive bonuses when they cooperate with large timber merchant partnerships. Taking into account the yield loss, the lumber comes to 279 €/m³. With total costs of 411 €/m³ you have a 70% share for lumber. This is why glulam producers are quite sensitive when it comes to price increases for glulam lamellae.
