Thursday, August 28, 2025
Koskisen, a leading Finnish wood products company, is continuing its ambitious growth strategy at its Järvelä sawmill. The company is ramping up production at the mill, aiming to increase output from 400,000 m³ to 450,000 m³. To achieve this, Koskisen is investing in new channel dryers to boost drying capacity by approximately 15%. This move will not only increase production volumes but also enhance the overall quality of the products.
CEO Jukka Pahta highlighted the strategic nature of this investment: “The investment in channel dryers is a logical continuation of the growth path of our sawmill industry. The ongoing construction of a district heating pipeline between the Järvelä mill sites enables this next step of increasing drying capacity while also covering the resulting growth in energy consumption.”
The growth of the Järvelä sawmill has been a steady and planned process. As part of this systematic development, a new log yard was completed earlier this year. The log yard improves raw material efficiency, reduces logistics costs, and lowers carbon dioxide emissions from transport. This enhancement has already made a significant difference to the operational efficiency of the sawmill.
“Since the completion of the log yard, the new sawmill has been operated against the limits of the existing drying capacity. With this new investment, we are securing sufficient drying capacity for production volumes up to 450,000 m³. The production increase enabled by the new channel dryers is particularly meaningful, as it allows us to make full use of the existing new production infrastructure. This lowers average production costs and improves sawing competitiveness,” Pahta explained.
The new channel dryers will be crucial in meeting the rising demand for Koskisen’s wood products. This investment is not just about scaling up production but also about improving the overall efficiency of the sawmill. The increased drying capacity will enable Koskisen to better utilise the full potential of its existing infrastructure, streamlining production processes and enhancing competitiveness within the industry.
In the past five years, Koskisen has invested approximately EUR 80 million into the Järvelä sawmill and its related operations. These investments have already yielded positive financial results. The company expects the new sawmill to improve EBITDA by approximately EUR 8 million annually at the current production level. This target is already two-thirds of the way to being achieved, in addition to annual savings of EUR 1.4 million from reduced logistics costs.
The new channel dryers are expected to be completed by the summer of 2026. This investment will also replace some of the sawmill’s existing drying capacity, which has reached the end of its lifecycle. The timing of this upgrade will ensure that the sawmill remains competitive in the long term, with modern and efficient drying technology in place.
Koskisen’s focus on sustainability and innovation has helped position the company as a leader in the global wood processing industry. The company prides itself on its ability to optimise the use of raw materials, turning even the smallest by-products into valuable resources. Koskisen’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency throughout its operations.
“We manufacture high-quality and sustainable products that store carbon for decades,” says the company’s official statement. This commitment to both environmental and economic sustainability is one of the key factors that has driven the company’s continued success and growth in the timber industry.
The company is also working towards enhancing its energy consumption through the district heating pipeline being built between the Järvelä mill sites. This energy-efficient infrastructure will be a crucial part of supporting the expanded production capacity, ensuring that Koskisen remains a responsible and forward-thinking player in the wood products industry.
In conclusion, Koskisen’s investment in new channel dryers at the Järvelä sawmill marks a key step in the company’s long-term growth strategy. With increased drying capacity, improved production efficiency, and enhanced product quality, the company is well-positioned to meet rising demand while also strengthening its competitive edge in the global market. Koskisen continues to build on its solid foundation of innovation, sustainability, and commitment to customer satisfaction, ensuring that it remains a leader in the ever-evolving timber industry.
Koskisen is an international wood processing specialist known for agility and customer focus. The company manufactures sustainable products that contribute to long-term carbon storage. Koskisen’s revenue in 2024 was EUR 282 million.
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Tags: channel dryers, Koskisen, Koskisen sawmill industry, sawmill, sawmill industry, sawmill industry news, woodworking industry
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