Matti Kylävainio, CEO of Keitele Timber, the sawmill arm of Keitele Group, has been re-elected as chairman of Sahateollisuus ry for the next two years. Supporting him in leadership roles are Ville Kopra, CEO of Versowood, and Heikki Nuoranne, CEO of Multia Saha, who will remain as vice-chairmen. Additionally, Maija Perävainio, forest manager at Westas Group, has been elected as the new chairman of the forestry committee, while Matti Sipiläinen, sales director at Kuhmo, will take on the role of chairman of the export committee.
Reflecting on the current challenges, Kylävainio highlighted the difficulties faced by the sawmill industry over the past year. “The past year has been challenging for companies in the sawmill industry. In many export markets, demand has been modest, and at the same time, the price of wood in the domestic market has remained at a record high level. The hope is that due to the lowering of the interest rate, construction will increase and the demand for lumber will pick up in the second half of 2025,” he stated.
The sawmill sector operates within a highly competitive global landscape. Finland’s primary competitors in Europe include Germany, Sweden, and Austria, while outside Europe, the United States, Canada, and Russia are the leading producers and exporters of lumber. Kylävainio also addressed significant uncertainties tied to legislative actions by the European Commission, which could impact the industry’s operating environment.
“The European Commission should act in such a way that the competitiveness of industry is strengthened. For example, reducing felling by means of regulation would not reduce the demand for wood products internationally. Lower logging levels in Finland would lead to logging leakage and would only offer new opportunities for our competitors. The commission should also ensure that our cost competitiveness does not weaken in logistics,” Kylävainio concluded.
The sawmill industry continues to navigate complex challenges, with hopes pinned on improved demand and favorable legislative conditions to drive growth in the coming years.
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