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Voma and Westas Pihlava invest in timber kilns
Valutec has won contracts to supply timber kilns to two sawmills in western Finland with a distinguished heritage, namely Voma Oy and Westas Pihlava. The mills are investing in three batch kilns and one FB continuous kiln, with kiln commissioning planned for early 2017.
The mill is situated near Parkano, Finland and was operated under the previous owner as Marjolahden Saha until production at the mill ceased in 2008. Luoman, a company specializing in garden structures, has resumed operations at the mill. The company is now expanding its efforts by investing in three batch kilns, which are equipped with pressure frames and are designed to dry center cut pine in dimensions ranging from 32 to 50 millimeters. The total capacity is approximately 20,000 cubic meters per year.
“It’s also important to us that Valutec provide on-site service in Finland,” explains Pekka.
The second contract secured over the summer was with the Westas sawmill Pihlava, not far from Pori, about an hour's drive from Parkano and Voma.
“Pihlava chose an FB continuous kiln with a capacity of about 55,000 cubic meters per year. Like with Voma, we aim to have the kiln up and running in January of next year,” says Mikko Pitkänen, General Manager at Valutec OY.
The contract with Westas also included Valutec's Valmatics control system for ten of the sawmill’s existing kilns. For about three years now, the sawmill and Raunio are part of the relatively young company Westas Group, which is owned by CEO Pekka Kopra and A. Ahlström Kiinteistöt Oy.
“Both Pihlava and Voma have a long history and we appreciate the chance contribute to their continued development. An investment in kiln equipment is always long-term, and is also a matter of constantly refining the way of working. Here in particular, Valmatics is a powerful tool,” explains Mikko Pitkänen.