This week Canfor corporation announced that they will acquire 70% of the stake in Swedens largest private owned sawmill company Vida AB. NordicWoodJournal.com paid a visit at one of Vidas samwills in Sweden last year. Here is a video from the small log sawmill in Alvesta, Sweden.
Small log sawmills has been popular during last decade in Sweden and Vida is one of the leading producers with several dedicated sawmills for short logs in diameters from 11 to 20 cm (4,5 to 8 inch). Logs are normally cut in short lengths, like 2,5-3 meters (8-10 ft). Those sawmills use reducer technology that fast and instantly cut the sides to pulp chips. The blocks are profiled by the chipping reducers and then in the next step divide into lumber by saw blades.
The Vida sawmill in Alvesta also have stress grading equipment and most of the production is planed before sale. Most of the lumber will be construction wood for export as well as domestic use. All production is kiln dried.
More information about Vida can be fond here at Vidas webpage.
Here is a video showing the production (Swedish audio/text) and below some pictures.
Hello fellow forestry workers. I live and work in a Canfor dominated forestry town. Our forestry practices are poor in Canada and Canfor is a clear cut machine. Please guard your forests and protect your harvesting rates. Trust me! Google their track record here in Canada. Stay safe out there.
Thanks for your comment Low impact Canadian harvester! I think Vida has a good reputation here in Sweden. They buy all their wood from private (individual) forest owners in strong competition with other sawmills and forest owner association. So they must behave to get their wood. Maybe they can give some positive influence to Canfor😀