The construction of Isojoen Saha’s new main sawmill line is progressing as planned. The worksite has now shifted to the interior phase, with the building scheduled for completion in February 2025. Isojoen Saha’s CEO, Esa Hakamäki, is pleased with the progress.
– Both the planning and execution of the project have gone smoothly. The collaboration between our team and the contractors has enabled production to continue throughout the entire construction project without any unexpected interruptions, Hakamäki states.
The main contractor, Timo Kiukkonen from Rakennuspalvelut T. Kiukkonen Oy, also expresses satisfaction with the successful coordination of production and construction. The project has progressed steadily, and the parallel operations of production and construction have not led to any safety incidents.
– Worksite safety has been at a high level from the outset, and so far we haven’t had a single accident, Kiukkonen notes.
From the very beginning, the new production facility has been designed with contemporary standards in mind and with sustainability as a guiding principle.
– For lighting, we used automated LED technology. The cooling and heating systems utilize energy recovery, and the entire building’s electrical system has been implemented with the latest energy-efficient technology, Hakamäki describes.
Interior finishing work will continue on-site over the coming weeks and months. Once the spaces are completed, the machinery for the new main sawmill line will be installed during the spring, with initial production trials scheduled to begin in May or June.
The new sawmill line enhances flexibility and efficiency
The new main sawmill line introduces modern production technology, enabling Isojoen Saha to respond to customer demands more quickly and flexibly than before. Hakamäki explains that the upgrade has been under consideration for some time, and the current moment proved ideal for its implementation.
– The old line dates back to the late 1990s, so it’s been quite a while. The new line incorporates significantly more advanced automation and measurement technology, allowing changes in production that were previously done mechanically to be handled automatically. Energy efficiency is also on an entirely new level compared to the old technology.
The user-friendly automation of the production line reduces the physical workload for employees and enables more precise utilization of raw materials.
– Employees no longer need to be physically present at the machines, making adjustments. Instead, they can monitor data through the control system. With the new technology, we can utilize raw materials more efficiently and reduce waste, Hakamäki explains.
Local and domestic contributions at the forefront
The construction of the new main sawmill line has been a demonstration of local expertise in many ways. Kauhajoki-based companies Rakennuspalvelut T. Kiukkonen Oy and EP-insinöörit Oy are responsible for the construction work, and the project also employs several local subcontractors. Finnish suppliers have a strong presence in the project as well. The sawmill line is supplied by Veisto Oy, a company from South Savo, and most of the other equipment suppliers are also Finnish.
– Local contributors have brought flexibility and smoothness to the collaboration. This project has been mutually beneficial. Considering the current state of the construction industry in Finland, this has been an opportune moment for many to get involved in a project like this, Hakamäki points out.
The new main sawmill line will be completed during Isojoen Saha’s 75th anniversary in 2025, marking the beginning of a new era in the company’s long-term development efforts.