Recently, it became clear that Valutec would be supplying a progressive kiln for Crown Timbers’ sawmill in Hamina in Finland. Crown Timber is one of the leading distributors of construction timber in the United Kingdom, and for Valutec this deal is another step closer to the growing British wood market.
“It was Valutec’s excellent reputation together with their enormous expertise in the field that determined our choice. Their enthusiasm and ability to find the solutions we need were also a factor,” says Stuart McIntyre, CEO at Crown Timber.
Crown Timber, which is primarily known as a distributor of timber products, acquired the Finnish sawmill nearly eighteen months ago. Production consists of specific lengths of spruce timber, which is an important element in the company’s product mix.
“These are products that help to distinguish us from the competition. With a new kiln that is state of the art in technical terms, we can strengthen our position further,” he says.
The progressive kiln, which is of the FB type, will replace an older concrete batch kiln. This investment will also increase the sawmill’s drying capacity from 110,000 m2 to 150,000 m2. Crown Timber has also opted to equip the kiln with pressure frames and a heat recovery system.
“Crown Timber is a new and very serious customer. They have studied both us and our products carefully and taken great pains to buy kilns of the best possible quality in terms of both energy consumption and capacity. That means it feels particularly good to know that they chose us,” says Mikko Pitkänen, site manager at Valutec in Finland.
Valutec will begin installation of the progressive kiln in March and by early July it is expected to be in production. At the customer’s request, all the work will be dealt with by Valutec.
