Stiga RM Commissions New Birch Plywood Mill in Latvia

Stiga RM has commissioned a new birch plywood further-processing mill in Kuldīga, Latvia, as part of its ongoing expansion strategy, The Baltic Times reported (4-21-26).

The new facility, covering 4,036 square meters, represents an investment of 3.09 million euros (US$3.62 million). It will operate alongside the company’s existing birch plywood mill and support the development of a higher value-added product segment.

The company said the new division will increase the value of its products by 50–70% while creating new job opportunities in the region. The mill will be equipped with modern technologies enabling precise milling, drilling, sawing, and a new type of lamination.

These capabilities are expected to expand Stiga RM’s product portfolio with functional and decorative birch plywood products, including a wider range of colors and surface coatings. The company plans to finalize equipment procurement agreements in the near term, with full-scale operations expected to begin next summer.

In remarks on the expansion, Viesturs Krēvics, Member of the Management Board and Manager of the Birch Plywood Mill at Stiga RM, said:

“The commissioning of the further-processing mill is only an intermediate stage toward a significant step in the development of production. We plan to equip the facility with automated workstations manufactured by the world’s leading equipment suppliers and state-of-the-art machinery. Once operations begin, Stiga RM will not only expand its product range and create opportunities to attract new customers worldwide, but will also provide a significant contribution to the development of the Kuldīga region by creating new employment opportunities and strengthening the region’s position in the forestry sector.”

Andris Ramoliņš, Owner and Chairman of the Board of Stiga RM, added:

“Through the development of this project, we once again demonstrate that the driving force of Latvia’s timber industry must be the production of high value-added products. We are taking birch plywood manufacturing to a new level by creating functional solutions that are in strong demand in international markets. This will strengthen both the company’s competitiveness and export volumes, as well as the overall development of Latvia’s wood processing industry.”