Competitiveness of Germany's wood processors at risk as a result of reduced level of timber felling, say sawmillers

Audrey Dixon

LOS ANGELES , July 24, 2013 (IndustryIntel) – Germany’s sawmills and other wood processors are having their competitiveness put at risk by a reduced level of timber felling, Euwid reported on July 24.

The trend has alarmed the German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association, which is worried about scarce wood supplies, high procurement costs and less ability to compete.

The association’s general secretary Lars Schmidt noted this could force sawmills to reduce capacity, shed jobs and cut back on investing in machinery and product development.

Germany’s level of timber felling declined by 4 million m3 in 2012 to 52.34 million m³, with felling of spruce showing the biggest drop, of 11% to 25.21 million m3, according to figures published in June by the German Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV).


The primary source of this article is Euwid, Gernsbach, Germany, on July 24, 2013

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.