Matti Kylävainio fortsätter som ordförande för Keitele Group i Sahateollisuus ry – EU-lagstiftning som största osäkerhetsfaktorn
Keitele Group’s sawmill company Keitele Timber’s CEO Matti Kylävainio will continue as the chairman of Sahateollisuus ry for the next two years, according to Sahateollisuus ry. He hopes for an improvement in the industry outlook next year. ”The past year has been challenging for sawmill companies. Demand has been modest in many export markets, while at the same time, the price of wood in the domestic market has remained at a record high level. With the lowering of interest rates, we hope to see increased construction and a boost in demand for sawn timber in the second half of 2025,” Kylävainio stated in a press release.
Significant European competitor countries in the sawmill industry include Germany, Sweden, and Austria. Outside of Europe, the United States, Canada, and Russia are producers and exporters of sawn timber. According to the sawmill industry, one of the major uncertainties in the industry is the upcoming European Commission and its proposed legislation. Kylävainio hopes that the Commission will strengthen the industry’s competitiveness. ”For example, reducing logging through regulation would not decrease the demand for wood products internationally. Lower logging levels in Finland would lead to a logging gap and only offer new opportunities to our competitors,” he said.
Ville Kopra, CEO of Versowood, and Heikki Nuoranne, CEO of Multian Saha, will continue as vice-chairmen of Sahateollisuus ry. Maija Perävainio, forest manager at Westas Group, was elected as the new chairman of the Forest Committee, and Matti Sipiläinen, sales director at Kuhmo, will start as the new chairman of the Export Committee.
The sawmill industry is facing challenges due to high wood prices and a slowdown in construction. Kylävainio is optimistic about the future and hopes for an improvement in market conditions. The industry’s main concern is the potential impact of future EU legislation on competitiveness. By addressing these challenges and working together, the sawmill industry aims to overcome obstacles and thrive in the coming years.
