On December 12th Siempelkamp and Sunds Fibertech signed an agreement for the sale of the KüstersPress and ContiPress service business. With this transaction Sunds Fibertech will become the OEM supplier for this technology area; the transfer date will be January 3rd, 2024.

The KüstersPress and ContiPress technology is used for the production of MDF and particleboard. Between 1987 and 2006 more than 60 presses were delivered, currently, more than 50 presses are still in operation worldwide. These presses require technology support, spare parts, service and modernization.

Sunds Fibertech will expand its German technology center in Willich, close to Siempelkamp’s headquarters in Krefeld, to grow sales, offer technical support, build up a workshop and a logistics center. The center will be fully focused on KüstersPress and ContiPress technology.

Stefan Wissing, CEO, Siempelkamp Logistics & Service Business Unit, says, “By combining the business volumes of KüstersPress and ContiPress in Sunds Fibertech we will secure a strong long-term support for these presses. We are convinced that Sunds Fibertech’s focus will ensure the best support and solution for the customers.”

“With this acquisition we will strengthen our position as a strategic partner to our customers and we will be able to offer a much wider service portfolio. Our team in Germany will be a good combination of several experts who have been part of the Küsters journey from the very beginning and the next generation of press experts. The new technology center will count about 2000  m² including offices, a customized workshop and the logistics center,” adds Lars Eklund, CEO, Sunds Fibertech.

Boise Cascade announced an indefinite curtailment of its lumber production in Chapman, Ala. The curtailment will affect 80 positions. The plywood operations at the Chapman location are not part of the curtailment.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notification was provided to impacted employees and specifies that operations will cease on January 28, 2024.

“The team has worked diligently every day; however, a combination of challenges, including required future investments and overall profitability, has led to this decision,” says Chris Seymour, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. “It was a difficult and unfortunate decision, but after evaluating a number of factors over the past year, it is not feasible to continue operating at an efficient level.

“We understand the impact that this shutdown has on our employees and their families,” Seymour adds. “We are communicating about job opportunities within the company as well as resources that are available to assist them.”

Raute Corp. has signed a contract worth 93 million Euros with Metsä Wood, part of Metsä Group, for the technology delivery of a new Kerto laminated veneer lumber (LVL) mill in Äänekoski, Finland. This order, the biggest in Raute’s history, is a proof of Raute’s versatile expertise.

Metsä Wood is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of engineered wood products. Metsä Wood is building a new Kerto LVL mill in Äänekoski to increase its total Kerto LVL capacity by 50%. The mill’s annual production capacity is approximately 160,000 cubic meters and the production is expected to start in late 2026.

The order includes all main production processes from veneer peeling to LVL pressing, using automated R7-Series technologies from Raute. All lines are equipped with analyzers for grading and MillSIGHTS software for data capturing.

The ordered machinery, which will be manufactured at Raute’s production units in Lahti and Kajaani, Finland, as well as in the company’s partnership network, and is expected to be delivered between the first quarter of 2025 and first quarter 2026.

“By investing in the best available technology in the industry, we significantly develop Kerto LVL’s production efficiency and ensure a safe and versatile work environment for our personnel. Our long-term cooperation with Raute and the development of the mill’s technological solutions together offer excellent conditions to succeed in achieving these goals,” says Jaakko Anttila, Executive Vice President, Metsä Wood.