%0 Research article
%T Adoption of value-adding processes in Swedish sawmills
%A Roos, Anders
%A Flinkman, Matti
%A Jäppinen, Armas
%A Warensjö, Mats
%D 2000
%J Silva Fennica
%V 34
%N 4
%R doi:10.14214/sf.623
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/623
%X Adding value to lumber by processing it after sawing and standard drying  is one means for the sawmilling industry to increase market shares in  competition with other materials, e.g. glass, steel, concrete,  aluminium, and plastics. In this study the adoption patterns of  value-adding processes used in Swedish softwood sawmills were analysed  based on production data from 1995. About 90% of the sawmills applied a  value-adding process after initial sawing and drying, and 72% of the  sawmills applied two or more processes. The total share of processed  sawnwood was about 40%. Important dimensions of value-adding processes  are: extra drying and production of blanks for doors/windows and for  furniture; surface-treatment, mainly planing, which is sometimes  associated with preservation and painting; length trimming and pallet  production; extra drying and production of edge-glued panels and  laminated beams; and stress grading and production of building  components. The association of different value-adding dimensions with  location, ownership and production characteristics were investigated.  The total share of value-added production were higher for private  sawmills than for mills owned by forest companies or by forest owners’  associations, and it was higher for mills in southern Sweden than for  sawmills in other parts of the country. Value-added share does not  clearly correlate with mill size or with the dominating tree species  being sawn.