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Profiling of large diameter logs [Holzkurier report 51/52/2005]
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Profiling of large diameter logs [Holzkurier report 51/52/2005]
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The next coup - in November 2006 a new profiling line for processing large diameter logs (blue part) is starting operation: Offner (left) with project coordinator DI Rink
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Holzindustrie Offner Facts:
Plastic foils
Turnover: 8 Million €/year
Employees: 50
Tool production:
Locations: Wolfsberg, Schorndorf/Germany and Wuppertal/Germany
Turnover: 35 Million €/year
Founded in: 1755
Employees: 235
Timber industry:
Turnover: 53 Million €/year
Employees: 105
Sawmill project for processing large diameter logs:
Total investment: 32 Million €
Small end dia: 10 cm up to 63 cm
Start of production: November 2006
Processing of 600.000 up to 700.000 m³ of round logs/year (1.5 shifts
Feed speed: up to 130 m/min
Capacity lumber sorting: up to 350 pieces/min
Capacity resorting: 280.000 m³ lumber/year
Capacity drying: 240.000 m³ lumber/year
Species: Spruce/Fir
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In November 2006 we are going to take our sawmill for processing large diameter logs into operation", this message presented by Kommerzialrat DI Hans Michael Offner on the occasion of the Holzkuriert interview actually carried out with regards to the honour "Sawmill of the year 2006" surprised everybody. This award is granted to a company who has to do most of its time without managing director being on route in his home country as well as in foreign countries for taking care of trade interests. Estimation should also be granted to a sawmill which is believed to act according to the motto: to increase prices first, to indulge last. However, awarded was also a company which has been family owned for 250 years - an event which was celebrated with 1300 guests three months ago.
Yes to Austria
Another reason for nominating the Johann Offner Holzindustrie, Wolfsberg as "Sawmill of the year 2006" is the envisaged investment of a total of 32 Million Euro. The managing director believes in the location Austria whereas others relocate their business abroad.
A completely new sawline concept supplied by LINCK, Oberkirch/Germany will be installed. Two V50 profiling chipper canters with the possibility of sawing quarter timbers will provide what Offner circumscribes as follows: efficiently and flexibly produce mass assortments from large diameter logs.
The question why they don't use bandsaw technology is answered by Offner's reference to his previous experiences with the main supplier and the technology. "We are convinced of the circular saw technology. Capacity, surface quality and accuracy match perfectly", he outlines. Future production is now variable with a feed speed of 50 up to 130 m/min.
Optimised processing of large diameter logs
The increased existence of larger logs already led him into this direction. "To evade the sawmills processing small diameter logs only, we already arrived at an average diameter of 27, 28 cm. In the future we will show what is still possible between 35 and 55 cm small end diameter. It is said: The larger the log, the worse the quality - so you have to react in a flexible way", outlines Offner.
Linck will realise a concept in the Carinthian company allowing the production of four plus two sideboards in the precut already - four sideboards to follow in the recut. Two scanning systems integrated in the line allow to handle cutting patterns with optimised sideboard width and position. Consequences of such a sawline: 350 boards per minutes have to be managed in a new and two existing Springer sorting plants.
Unique cutting patterns
"To handle such cutting patterns, other chipper canter lines have to pass the logs one or two times through the line", believes Offner. "We looked for something that others can't do yet. I am convinced that we will make it."
It is envisaged to operate the sawline in one and a half shifts which would result in processing 600.000 up to 700.000 m³ round logs per year. Investments of the past years in a modernised resorting line (capacity 280.000 m³ lumber per year) and in drying process (capacity 240.000 m³ lumber per year) have already been oriented towards this extension.
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An own railway siding to the round log loading (background) was taken into operation mid of December.
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So can one only invite every 250 years - employees, customers, colleagues, politicians and of course friends celebrated beginning of September.
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Offner called and everybody came - 1300 congratulators came to Wolfsberg to celebrate the 250 years anniversary.
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Splitting of lumber for export markets
A new triple band resaw, supplied by the company EWD, will start operation within a few weeks being fed by conveyors of TC Maschinenbau, St. Veit, Austria. Vertically or horizontally placed lumber can be split, examined, bundled, strapped and packaged. Such special dimensions allow Offner to seize the North African markets. The additionally split lumber already amounted to a volume of up to 40.000 m³ per year – in the future this figure will certainly increase.
The next years are primarily used to optimise the sawmill. “Further processing is not yet envisaged – first we want to have the perfect sawmill”, explains Offner. But: The Offner group of companies includes two tool productions (metal branch) and a plastic foil production. In combination with the latter Offner can imagine realising a wood plastic composite production. A research project is already carried out. Offner’s wishful thinking is to produce innovative wood plastic composite products out of remaining quantities of plastic and sawdust.
Combustion removed
Offner found a new type of thermical utilisation of his by-products together with Mondi Packaging at Frantschach, Austria: For the next twenty years he is supplying his bark and chips as well as part of his sawdust to the nearby pulp mill. Vice versa he gets back 18 MWH via district heat.
“Some heat would still be left over for drying the remaining sawdust”, Offner shows his interest in probably joining the pellet market. He sees a quantum jump with regards to quantity increase regarding the present oil price.
A railway track was extended up to the log loading station to cheaply and environmentally friendly transport the logs to Wolfsberg. Offner felt “mistreated” by the authorities when applying for the permit – it took three months from application to negotiation. He also had to struggle hard for getting the permit to run a third shift. This was now extended on a trial basis until January. According to Offer these are all signs that old-established companies are being treated considerably worse than potentially new investors.
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In the future everything can be sawn - from 10 up to 63 cm small end diameter
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Cooperative leadership
Offner has been representing the interests of the local sawmillers since 1995 as person in charge for the Austrian sawmill industry and since 2001 as President of the European Sawmill Federation. Both tasks are related to a high expenditure of time.
“I am often asked whether I do not neglect my companies. If you have competent employees, this does work. You must only let the people work. I am convinced that I can make decisions neutrally as I have an extended experience”, argues Offner. “We have flat hierarchies and you decide most of the time what the employees propose. Prior to taking over the company from my father, I pulled all strings – now I delegate many responsibilities.”
The fact that his son Johann junior – as already did his three sisters – is shortly going to finish his degrees documents that the passionate hunter still has time to spend with his family besides the many official- and multiple managing activities.
A house for everybody
With his open communication and sometimes flaring argumentation Offner has undoubtedly much achieved for his professional group. Besides picking out the transnational lumber promotion as a central theme, the foundation of the platform Forest-Lumber-Paper (FLP) in which Offner was substantially involved is this year’s highlight. Whereas the forum Forest Board and Paper (FBP) was founded without the sawmill industry, FLP is for Offner particularly the obligation to cooperate for the good of all. A target which he wants to claim right in the actual difficult supply situation.
“However it is fun to represent the Austrian sawmill industry. We have numerous companies leading worldwide”, he caresses his colleagues. The continuous contact to them is very important for him. In the interview he pointed out Gerald Schweighofer who managed “to show us that far away markets such as Japan or the United States can also be served”. With the result that these two countries are meanwhile among the top 4 purchasers of Austrian softwood lumber.
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