Thursday, August 7, 2025
Chugoku Mokuzai, a leading Japanese wood processing company, has partnered with Hekotek to construct a state-of-the-art sawmill in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, to bolster its production capabilities. The collaboration with Hekotek ensures the integration of advanced technology, including automated log feeding systems and efficient conveyors, to streamline operations and enhance productivity. With production slated to commence in early 2027, this project signifies a significant investment in the future of Japan’s wood processing industry. The finished sawn timber is intended primarily for the domestic Japanese market.
Hekotek, on the other hand, is an Estonian company renowned for its advanced sawmill equipment. Hekotek will supply a comprehensive and advanced suite of machinery, including log feeding systems, conveyors for wood chips, sawdust, lumber, and sawn timber, to ensure efficient and streamlined operations. The equipment is designed to handle varying log sizes and feed speeds, thereby optimizing the processing of Douglas-fir logs through the HewSaw sawline. At the heart is the state-of-the-art HewSaw sawline, projected to minimise manual labour and boost automation across the production line. The transport systems offered can handle up to around 100 sea containers of material, ensuring a steady flow of raw materials.
The new sawmill will incorporate cutting-edge technology to enhance productivity and reduce labour costs. Hekotek’s equipment is engineered to minimise manual intervention, aligning with Chugoku Mokuzai’s commitment to automation and efficiency. The facility’s design emphasises high technological standards, ensuring a modern and sustainable approach to wood processing.
Chugoku Mokuzai plans to begin production in early 2027, following an eight-month installation and testing phase for Hekotek’s systems. This carefully phased rollout shows the companies are betting on precision alignment and thorough validation rather than rushed timelines.
A new sawmill in Ibaraki
After a devastating fire destroyed its sawmill in Ibaraki Prefecture in 2023, Chugoku Mokuzai is poised to rebuild with renewed strength. The company, known as one of Japan’s foremost wood processors, has finalised a partnership with Estonian machinery maker Hekotek to install a next-generation sawmill. This initiative will focus on processing Douglas‑fir logs imported from North America for the domestic market
Why it matters
Strengthening local supply– The new mill will process Douglas‑fir—valued for its strength and versatility—and serve Japan’s internal market. That supports domestic building and manufacturing needs with a reliable timber supply.
Efficiency through automation– Hekotek’s systems cut down manual labour by automating log handling and product flow, increasing both productivity and safety.
Rebuilding with resilience– By rising from the loss of a sawmill, Chugoku Mokuzai demonstrates resilience and a forward-thinking approach to industry disruptions.
Global collaboration– Tapping into Estonian expertise underlines the global integration now common in advanced manufacturing and industrial equipment.
Outlook for Japan’s wood sector
This project signals a trend in Japan’s forestry and wood‑processing sector: rebuilding with advanced, automated facilities to maintain supply chains and modernise production. Given rising lumber needs and higher import prices, such internal upgrades will help Japan strengthen its wood processing resilience.
The construction of the new sawmill is scheduled to commence shortly, with production expected to begin in early 2027. An approximately eight-month period will be dedicated to the installation and testing of the advanced equipment supplied by Hekotek. This project highlights Chugoku Mokuzai’s commitment to expanding and upgrading its operations with state-of-the-art facilities.
The collaboration between Chugoku Mokuzai and Hekotek marks a significant step forward in Japan’s wood processing industry. By integrating advanced technology and automation, the new sawmill in Ibaraki Prefecture is poised to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of timber production, reinforcing Chugoku Mokuzai’s position as a leader in the sector.
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Tags: automated sawmill Japan, Chugoku Mokuzai, Douglas‑fir logs Japan, Hekotek, Ibaraki sawmill, Japan sawmill rebuild, sawmill equipment, wood processing technology
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