A series of management changes across the Nordic sawmill industry is bringing new executives into senior positions, with several appointments taking effect this autumn and others scheduled for 2027. Some involve long-serving managers stepping down, while others follow internal reorganisations or changes in company ownership and structure.<\/p>\n
Swedish forest industry group S\u00f6dra has announced changes to the management of its wood, forestry and pulp businesses.<\/p>\n
Peter Karlsson, previously head of S\u00f6dra Skog, has been appointed head of S\u00f6dra Wood, succeeding Marcus \u00c5sg\u00e4rde. \u00c5sg\u00e4rde is moving to S\u00f6dra Cell, where he will take on responsibilities related to strategy and technology.<\/p>\n
Karlsson takes over S\u00f6dra Wood at a time when Swedish sawmills continue to struggle with high sawlog prices and weak profitability. The division has been working to reduce costs and improve the performance of its industrial operations.<\/p>\n
The appointments also affect S\u00f6dra Skog, the group's forestry business, as responsibilities are redistributed across the organisation.<\/p>\n
Mets\u00e4 Fibre changes management at Rauma sawmill<\/strong><\/p>\n In Finland, Mets\u00e4 Fibre has announced an exchange of responsibilities between two senior executives in its sawmill business.<\/p>\n Mikko Lintula will become Mill Manager of the Rauma sawmill at the beginning of November 2026. He currently serves as Technical Director of Mets\u00e4 Fibre's sawn timber production.<\/p>\n Johanna Harjula, who has managed the Rauma sawmill, will take over as Technical Director of Sawn Timber Production, also from the beginning of November.<\/p>\n Both executives will report to Virva Juhola, Vice President of Sawn Timber Production.<\/p>\n Rauma is one of Mets\u00e4 Fibre's largest industrial investments. The highly automated pine sawmill has an annual production capacity of approximately 750,000 m\u00b3 of sawn timber.<\/p>\n Holmen appoints new wood products head as Martinsons executive departs<\/strong><\/p>\n Holmen has also made changes to its wood products management during 2026.<\/p>\n Karolina Svensson took over as Head of Holmen Wood Products on June 1, succeeding Johan Padel, who had held the position for approximately 12 years.<\/p>\n Svensson previously headed business development within the division and has worked in several areas of Holmen's operations, including marketing and strategy.<\/p>\n Padel remains connected to the group as Chairman of Martinsons Byggsystem.<\/p>\n Another departure was announced in June, when Olov Martinson decided to leave his position as Site Manager of Holmen's Bygdsiljum sawmill during autumn 2026.<\/p>\n Martinson had been closely involved in the operations acquired by Holmen in 2020, when the Swedish forest industry group purchased Martinsons.<\/p>\n The Bygdsiljum facility, which employs around 260 people, produces sawn timber, glulam and cross-laminated timber. Holmen announced that recruitment of a successor would begin following Martinson's decision.<\/p>\n Pfeifer Nordics changes leadership following P\u00f6lkky integration<\/strong><\/p>\n As GWMI previously reported, Alexander Kainer was due to hand over management responsibility for Pfeifer Nordics to Josef Dringel and Roger Fr\u00e4nkel on October 1, 2026.<\/p>\n Kainer will remain with the Austrian timber group until February 28, 2027, concentrating on sales-related responsibilities during his remaining months.<\/p>\n He has spent around ten years with Pfeifer, holding several senior positions, including COO of the holding company, CEO of Pfeifer Nordics and management roles at Pfeifer Holz and Pfeifer Timber.<\/p>\n The change follows the integration of Finnish sawmill producer P\u00f6lkky, acquired by Pfeifer in early 2023.<\/p>\n Since June 1, 2026, the Finnish business has operated under the Pfeifer Nordics name. Its production facilities are located in Oulu, Kuusamo, Taivalkoski and Kajaani, manufacturing softwood lumber, glulam, pressure-treated timber and other wood products.<\/p>\n Bergs Timber prepares CEO change after 14 years<\/strong><\/p>\n Bergs Timber has appointed Christian Krichau as its next President and CEO, succeeding Peter Nilsson, who has led the Swedish group for 14 years.<\/p>\n Krichau is expected to take over at the beginning of April 2027. Nilsson will remain CEO until then and is subsequently expected to become Chairman of the Board following a transition period.<\/p>\n Krichau previously served as President and CEO of Arla Plast and held senior positions at Gunnebo and Biltema.<\/p>\n He will take over a company that has changed considerably in recent years.<\/p>\n Bergs closed its Estonian sawmill in 2023, sold its pellet operation in F\u00e5gelfors in 2024 and completed the sale of Latvian sawmill Vika Wood to HS Timber Group in January 2025.<\/p>\n The disposals have left Bergs with a greater concentration on specialised wood products, including windows, doors, garden products and timber distribution.<\/p>\n For Nilsson, the departure will bring an end to a 14-year period during which Bergs moved from conventional sawmilling towards a portfolio of specialised wood businesses.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A series of management changes across the Nordic sawmill industry is bringing new executives into senior positions, with several appointments taking effect this autumn and others scheduled for 2027. Some involve long-serving managers stepping down, while others follow internal reorganisations … Continue reading