New Pölkky sawmill up and running

Thanks to the new sawmill, annual production capacity will more than double, from 200,000 m³ to around 450,000 m³, as the Pfeifer Group states. This makes the new sawmill one of the most efficient and modern ones in Scandinavia, and the investment is also said to be an important step in the group’s growth strategy.

Shortly after the acquisition of the Finnish wood processing company Pölkky in January 2023, the need to comprehensively modernize the Kajaani site became evident. The goal was to significantly increase production capacity while further expanding the company’s market position in Europe. “With the newly built site in Kajaani, we have made a pioneering investment,” Michael Pfeifer, CEO of Pfeifer Holding, says. “The new sawmill combines highly automated technology with sustainable construction and is a true showcase project within the Pfeifer Group.”

In Kajaani, Pölkky processes Nordic pine and spruce. The new, highly automated saw line has an annual capacity of 450,000 m³ of lumber. A team of around 100 people ensures efficient operations on site. The investment is part of the joint growth strategy of Pfeifer and Pölkky, which focuses on higher production capacities, a stronger international presence, and greater added value.

Various timber construction products were used to build the sawmill hall. Pölkky itself supplied the glulam with small cross-sections as well as various solid wood elements. Large special components, such as columns and trusses, were produced and supplied by Versowood. 970 m³ of CLT from Pfeifer were used as well. The logistical challenges were considerable: The approximately 2,200 m²-big façade elements were produced at Pfeifer’s factory in Schlitz/DE, transported to EcoTimber for varnishing, and then delivered to Kajaani. The carpentry company Zimmerei MHB handled the assembly of the timber structure. Despite the short lead time, the collaboration between all those involved was smooth.