Pfeifer Group strengthens its Finnish operations with further progress made in successfully integrating Pölkky
The Pfeifer Group is laying the foundations for a strong, united future with investments, new management structures and a consistent internationalisation strategy, and Pölkky Oy has a key role to play in terms of growth, security of supply and sustainable market opportunities.
One decisive step in the Group’s strategy was the acquisition of Pölkky in January 2023. Based in northern Finland, the company enjoys a venerable tradition and brings many years of experience, a strong market position and access to sustainable sources of raw materials, especially in the pine segment. Pölkky also represents the ideal complement to the Pfeifer Group’s product portfolio as well as offering additional potential in further processing. “Integrating Pölkky will strengthen the Pfeifer Group over the long term with regard to both our delivery capability and our strategic market position,” explains Alexander Kainer, CEO of Pölkky Oy and Pfeifer Timber GmbH. “With top products, a strong team and the clout that comes from joining forces, we’re best placed to fully exploit the opportunities that the global timber market is offering us.”
Pölkky Oy’s CEO Alexander Kainer is assuming responsibility for log purchasing, production and logistics. Image credits: Pfeifer Holding GmbH/Gerhard Berger
Investments and internationalisation
Over the past two years, Pfeifer has made targeted investments in its Finnish sites, including the sawmill at Kajaani, increased drying capacity in Taivalkoski and the roll-out of SAP. The Group is also pressing ahead with its internationalisation efforts: demand in Japan is well above forecast levels, while a dedicated sales branch complete with warehouse has been opened in the UK and regular deliveries to the US will begin in the autumn.
“The focus for the coming months will be on making Pölkky an even more integral part of the Pfeifer family,” says Michael Pfeifer, CEO of the Pfeifer Group. “Key measures include promoting local talent, cultivating new markets together, increasing production output and bringing the SAP project to a successful conclusion.”
The Kajaani site has successfully resumed production following a break for maintenance. Image credits: Pfeifer Holding GmbH
Clear management and sales structures
The management structures have also been revamped, with Pölkky Oy’s CEO Alexander Kainer assuming responsibility for log purchasing, production and logistics while CFO Andreas Schierle takes charge of finance, controlling, HR and IT. Pfeifer Timber GmbH has also been set up as a Finland-based sales company in order to give sales, customer service and order processing an even more efficient setup under Kainer (CEO) and Ingo Meitinger (CFO). Thus the groundwork has been laid for close coordination with the Pfeifer Group, an even sharper customer focus and a stronger market presence.
Achievements and ongoing developments
Some major progress has already been achieved since the integration process started, with the sales market and log supply in line for a positive, stable trend between now and the end of the year, for example. The plants at Taivalkoski, Kuusamo and Kitka are on track with their output, while that at Kajaani has resumed production following a break for maintenance and has produced some highly promising results. As one of the most powerful, state-of-the-art sawmills in Finland, the new mill is setting new standards and will be able to produce 450,000 m³ of sawn timber a year working at full capacity.
Pölkky’s new state-of-the-art sawmill in Kajaani will be able to produce up to 450,000 m³ of sawn timber a year at full capacity. Image credits: Pfeifer Holding GmbH
About the Pfeifer Group
Pfeifer Holding GmbH was founded in Austria in 1948 and is now in the hands of the third generation of its owner family. CEO Michael Pfeifer, CTO Clemens Pfeifer and CFO Günther Binder make up its management team. With some 2,600 staff based at 13 sites in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and Finland, the Group is one of Europe’s leading wood processors. Along the entire value chain, its fully integrated sawmills process wood into sustainable products such as sawn timber, planed products, concrete formwork panels, formwork beams, CLT, glulam, glued solid-wood panels, pallet blocks, briquettes, pellets and green electricity. Pfeifer is also supporting the reuse of timber resources at its Uelzen site by recycling waste wood. The company’s head office is in the town of Imst in the Austrian province of Tyrol.
