Willamette Industries has given what has been termed ‘a huge vote of confidence’ in its MDF operation at Clonmel, Republic of Ireland, by approving investment of more than US$39m.
The company is installing a continuous press line to replace the multi-daylight Washington Ironworks press with which MDF production was begun at Clonmel in 1983. TTJ understands that the replacement plant will boost Clonmel’s capacity substantially.
The new Dieffenbacher press will be 2.75m wide and 43m long, with panel production automatic through cooling, sanding, sawing and packaging.
Scheduled to be on stream mid-2002, the facility will operate round the clock.
To achieve a smooth changeover, the line will be installed in parallel with the multi-daylight plant; three forming machines will also be introduced.
The existing multi-daylight press and continuous press Clonmel have joint capacity of around 330,000m3 per year. Willa mette declined to discuss how much output will now rise, but growth is expected to be significant.
‘This will put Willamette Europe in a better position to supply the fast-growing demand for premium quality MDF in UK, Irish and international markets,’ said the company statement.
This new development would ensure that Clonmel ‘an exceptional degree of versatility, producing seven different versions of Medite MDF in a wide variety of thicknesses and dimensions.’
Rory Kirwan, managing director of Willamette Europe, said: ‘This investment is a huge vote of confidence in the Clonmel operation.’
