2018 International Forest Industries IFI Feb March 2018 Digital | Page 38

HewSaw – A quality commitm in the factory and reaches far By providing customers with the latest primary break- down technology and a commitment to quality control, HewSaw is changing the way modern sawmillers work. Following a walk through HewSaw’s bright and modern factory in the small town of Mäntyharju, in Finland’s scenic Lake District, most visitors quickly understand how important HewSaw’s philosophy of implementing exacting quality control standards and continuous improvement is to the company’s success. “The outstanding performance of our equipment once it is in production at one of our customer’s sawmills starts right here at our factory,” explains HewSaw’s Vice President, Tuomas Halttunen. “We have a highly trained, long-term work force and we use exacting leveling equipment, special assembly platforms, extremely accurate CNC technology in the manufacturing of many of our parts, and as of last year, robotic welding in the building of our frames. We also use steel sourced from Europe and the UK for our frames and many of our components, and approximately 80 per cent of the parts that go into our machines are manufactured by us, which also contributes to our high level of quality control.” The Modern Vilppula Sawmill A couple of hours drive from the HewSaw factory is a prime example of a modern sawline manufactured by HewSaw – an SL250 3.4 primary breakdown line at Metsä Fibre’s Vilppula Sawmill. Commissioned in the Autumn of 2013 and coming in at over 100 metres in length, this line features some of the latest HewSaw technology and has the ability to produce up to eight edged sideboards from each log, eliminating all downstream edging. With a goal of replacing two older lines and making an investment in the sawmill that would provide flexibility, high operational reliability and production, safety and environmental efficiency, Metsä Fibre turned to HewSaw for a practical and cost-effective solution. HewSaw’s factory in Mäntyharju, Finland utilizes modern manufacturing processes and technology to maintain an extremely high level of quality control. “The modernization of the sawing line was a significant technological step forward for us,” explains Harri Haapaniemi, VP Production, Metsä Fibre Sawmills. Noting that industrial efficiency is a priority at all of Metsä Fibre’s operations, Harri goes on to explain that with the HewSaw they can “provide a consistent supply of high-quality products demanded by customers, consistently operate reliably, and maintain environmental efficiency at the Vilppula sawmill.”