In recent years, the sawmill industry has invested heavily in new production plants and in modernising production facilities. Exports of wood and wood processing products play an important role in Finland's exports as a whole. These investments also create many jobs and A-Perustus is heavily involved in these projects.
Currently investing inare constantly being made. For example, Stora Enso recently announced an investment at its Oulu mill to convert a decommissioned paper machine into a consumer packaging board line. This will create hundreds of jobs and indirectly employ well over a thousand people. In recent years, investment decisions have also been made by Junnikkala Oy, Kuhmo Oy and Koskisen Oy, among others.
The sawmill industry is characterised by precision structures when new structures are combined with existing ones. When renovating an existing plant, it is challenging to fit structures in with the old ones. Particular care must be taken when measuring to ensure that the old structures, which may no longer meet current measurement tolerances, are tied to the new structures.
A-Perustus has already been involved in several projects in the sawmill industry, which have included structural design, civil engineering and concrete construction. These have brought with them a strong knowledge of how to take into account the specificities of sawmills.
Previous references include Metsä Fibre projects, most importantly the new bioproduct plant in Kemi. In structural design, experience has been gained in the structural design of Kuhmo Oy's new drying line.
A-Perustus carried out the foundations for the drying plant at Binderholtz's Lieksha factory. Commenting on the cooperation with A-Perustus, Henri Ryynänen, Binderholtz project consultant, said:
"I am very happy with the cooperation. Everything went well in terms of timing and quality, and there were no surprises."
A-Perustus currently has several sawmill projects in progress. The on-site casting of the Kärkölkä wood processing unit for Koskinen Oy started in spring 2022 and production is scheduled to start in summer 2023. Junnikkala Oy is investing in a new generation sawmill in Oulu, where A-Perustus will supply the concrete structures. Production is scheduled to start in late 2023. Pölkky Oy is modernising its Taivalkoski production plant by developing its downstream processing business and sawmill technology. A-Perustus provides Pölky with comprehensive civil engineering and concrete construction works.
A-Perustus aims to play the role of main contractor in industrial projects, inspired by its previous references. The sawmill industry is a potential customer segment where this objective will be achieved.
