2017 International Forest Industries Magazines April May 2017 | Page 16

LOGGING & BIOMASS NEWS

NAF has been chosen as the international supplier of the year for Ponsse Plc

German NAF was chosen as the supplier of the year at the networking event for Ponsse ’ s international suppliers in Vieremä . NAF manufactures bogies , axles and gearboxes for PONSSE forest machines .
In the statement of the grounds for the decision , NAF was praised for its strongly customer-centred approach and operating methods . NAF has a deep understanding of Ponsse ’ s production philosophy and the demands of lean production , and fully meets the quality requirements expected of the company . NAF also maintains a very high standard of cooperation with Ponsse ’ s product development personnel .
The networking event for Ponsse international suppliers iwas held for the first time this year . 80 % of Ponsse ’ s suppliers are Finland-based companies , and networking events have been held for it ’ s domestic suppliers since 2005 to promote cooperation and develop operations together .

EIB confirms Euro 90 million backing for Coillte forest investment

The European Investment Bank ( EIB ) confirmed details of the first EIB support for forestry related investment in Ireland in 20 years . The new Euro 90 million longterm loan from the European Investment Bank will be used to finance the cost of planting , forest management and forest road construction and maintenance by
Ireland ’ s state-owned , commercial forestry company Coillte over the next four years .
Under the new investment , more than 35,000 hectares will be replanted and more than 1,600 km of forest roads will be constructed and upgraded . The scheme will also improve maintenance of 1,000 km of publically accessible walking
routes and mountain bike trails .
Coillte ’ s Chief Executive Fergal Leamy said the new funding received from EIB combined with the refinancing arrangements secured with its five syndicate banks will be key in enabling the company achieve its strategic ambitions .
Coillte ’ s Chief Executive Fergal Leamy

J . D . Irving achieved all-time record wood purchases in New Brunswick

J . D . Irving Woodlands has purchased 727,300 cubic metres ( m ³) of New Brunswick private wood ( including stumpage ), which is 46 % more than last year and higher than J . D . Irving ’ s previous record of 682,000 m ³.
The company is on target to purchase 870,000 m3 of private wood by March 31 close of 2016-
2017 season . This will be the most private wood the company has ever purchased .
“ J . D . Irving appreciates our partnerships with private wood producers and woodlot owners which has made this record breaking year possible ,” said Brent Thompson , Director of Wood Procurement for J . D . Irving , Limited .
“ Our 200 % increase in private wood purchases over the last 10 years is the result of working directly with individual private woodlot owners and wood producers to form win-win partnerships .”

Ponsse ’ s net sales increased by 12 % to Euro 517.4 million in 2016

Ponsse ’ s FY 2016 consolidated net sales amounted to Euro 517.4 million , which is 12 % more than in 2015 . International business operations accounted for 76.6 % of net sales .
The operating result amounted to Euro 55.2 million , compared to Euro 56 million in 2015 .
The operating result equalled 10.7 % of net sales for 2016 .
Consolidated return on capital employed ( ROCE ) stood at 30.7 %. Order intake for the period totalled Euro 493.8 million , while period-end order books were valued at Euro 123.9 million .
Juho Nummela , CEO and President , said : “ The year 2016 was a year of strong growth for Ponsse . During the first half of the year , our business operations
developed favourably , but during the second half we did not reach the previous year ’ s excellent level of profitability . We were able to keep our profitability still at a moderately good level of 10.7 %, grow about 12 %, and reach a positive cash flow from business operations of Euro 53.7 million . Exports made up 76.6 % of our operations .”
Juho Nummela , CEO and President
14 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2017