Stora Enso Timber has officially opened its first sawmill in Lithuania.
The 180,000m3 annual capacity Alytus mill represents an €21m investment and is part of an expansion programme announced last year when Stora Enso acquired the majority shareholding in Sylvester.
The facility, which also includes an online planing line with annual output of 80,000m3, focuses on construction products for European and overseas markets. About 70% of production is redwood, with the raw material coming from southern Lithuania.
Baltic joinery and construction markets will take about 30% of the products, marketed by its own distribution company, Puumerkki. Stora Enso says the mill strengthens its product range in timber frame markets.
Executive vice-president Peter Kickinger said: “This investment directly created 120 jobs at Alytus Sawmill, plus the indirect effects, especially in wood procurement and logistics.”
