Schweighofer group acquires logistically ideal site in Saxony

Takeover of the Klausner group’s Kodersdorf sawmill enables Holzindustrie Schweighofer to expand its market with low transport costs

The Austrian Schweighofer group is taking over the Klausner group’s sawmill in Kodersdorf, Saxony (Germany). With this move the wood industry company Holzindustrie Schweighofer is expanding its capacities towards the triangle between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Apart from the logistically ideal location, the modern equipment and options for expansion on the area were decisive factors for the purchase in Kodersdorf. The purchase contract was signed recently and is to become effective – subject to the approval by the competent authorities. The closing is expected by the end of September.

Gerald Schweighofer commented on the purchase: “This move is of utmost importance for the Schweighofer group. Through our first site in Germany we can develop an important market and expand further from there.”

The sawmill of Klausner Holz Sachsen has modern equipment and was built ten years ago on a big area, providing options for further expansion. The region offers good raw material supply. Transport costs are quite low thanks to its central location and the good traffic connection. Moreover the plant has an excellent customer and supplier base.

The sawmill is designed for the processing of softwood and has a cutting capacity of 1.2 million m³ of round timber per year. Energy-efficient drying systems are supplied with heat from its own heating plant. The planing capacity is around 0.4 million cubic meters annually.

About 250 persons are currently employed at this plant. However it can be expected that the number of staff will be increased in line with the business expansion on the medium-term.
Klausner: “The Schweighofer group is a very successful family enterprise with a long tradition in the timber industry, so we found the ideal buyer.”

Facts & figures Kodersdorf sawmil
Size of the area 34 ha
Wood origin Germany, Poland, Czech Republic
Types of wood spruce, pine
Cutting capacity 1.2 Mio m³
planing capactiy 0.4 Mio m³
Drying capacity 0.7 Mio m³
Heating plant 2 x 10 MW heat

Holzindustrie Schweighofer is a company of the Schweighofer group and originates from an Austrian family enterprise with a more than 400-years history in wood processing. Today the group operates in the segments of industry, pulp production, bio energy production, forestry and real estate. In 2003 Holzindustrie Schweighofer started operating its first sawmill in Romania. Today the company name represents a leading enterprise in the European wood processing industry, with about 3,100 employees at six sites in Austria and Romania.

schweighofer.at      klausner-group.com

Source: oevz.com