While we read and hear about forest fires in the U.S. and Canada, the same unusually hot weather is taking its toll around the globe. In Russia, forest fires have broken out in the Chelyabinsk region close to the border with Kazakhstan, as well as in north-eastern Siberia. The Ministry of Emergency Situations said it has deployed aircraft and a helicopter to fight the fires, as well as 240 personnel to Chelyabinsk where two large villages have been evacuated.
News in international markets
Australia’s Building Boom Leads to a Surge in Sawmill Employment
According to analysis provided by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a building boom in the country, and as a result Australia’s timber framing sawmills have increased employment by almost 25%. This analysis is in stark contrast to reported Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) global trends that suggested that timber processing employment would fall.
Moelven Announces $70 million Investment to Upgrade and Increase Capacity at Two Swedish Sawmills
Moelven Industriers ASA has announced that they will be investing more than SEK 600 million ($70 million) in modernizing and increasing capacity at two of their sawmills in the years to come. At the Moelven Edanesågen AB facility, the entire production process from timber sorting, timber intake, will include a new saw line and new dryer that will increase the mills capacity.
African Forestry and Timber Trading Firm Woodbois Limited Reports Improved Revenues in H1 2021
Woodbois Limited, an African forestry and timber trading firm, has reported increased revenues in the first 6-months of 2021 and expects sawn timber output to grow by 30% in the remain 6-months of the year. Woodbois, with sawmilling and veneer operations in Gabon, recorded revenues of US$8.2 million in the first 6-months of 2021, up from US$6.7 million, in the previous six-month period.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 76% Year-Over-Year in May 2021
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) increased 76% in value year-over-year from US$235.5 million, in May 2020, to US$414.8 million in May 2021.
10-year Agreement on Log Supply between Forest SA and KSI Sawmills Leads to Plans for New Sawmill
Backed by a 10-year log supply agreement between ForestSA and KSI Sawmills, KSI has announced its plan to build a new $4.5 (A$) sawmill near Murray Bridge. The new sawmill will not only increase needed timber supply but also create new local jobs.
Junnikkala Announces Plans to Build New State-of-the-Art Sawmill in Oulu Finland
Increasing demand for high-quality and sustainable timber products in the construction industry on a global scale, combined with the positive development of the sawmill industry, has provided an opportunity for Junnikkala to make 70 million Euro investment in the construction of a modern sawmill in Oulu Finland.
Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau Official Response to N.C. Building Code Council Warning on use of European Lumber in N.C. Home Building
The Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau has officially responded to the N.C. Building Code Council warnings of Friday, June 11th in regard to the use of European lumber in North Carolina home construction.
Wood Engineering Technology Embarks on Lumber Revolution with Opening of Gisborne Facility
Gisborne, a city located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, is the center of a potential $200 million (NZD) “revolution” in wood processing and New Zealand home building. The official opening of Wood Engineering Technology’s (WET) plant, the only one of its type in the world, is producing a breakthrough product OEL.
Premier Forest Group (UK) Announces Sale of Irish Subsidiary Premier Forest ROI Ltd
Premier Forest Group has announced that it has sold, for an undisclosed price, their Irish subsidiary Premier Forest ROI Ltd to Northern Ireland based Murdock Builders Merchant. Premier Forest ROI Ltd is an eight-site subsidiary comprising of Brooks Timber and Building Supplies and Dublin Plywood and Veneer (DPV).