New orders and plant deliveries have continued across the woodworking machinery sector over the past six months, despite subdued investment among furniture manufacturers. Panel production, sawmill modernisation and energy systems feature among the projects announced.<\/p>\n
Raute secured EUR 31 million in contracts for Kohila Vineer\u2019s plywood expansion in Estonia, while Dieffenbacher added particleboard and energy projects in Germany and Ireland. Other suppliers reported equipment shipments, repeat orders and completed installations across Europe, Asia and the Americas.<\/p>\n
Raute announced contracts worth approximately EUR 31 million with Kohila Vineer, part of the Latvijas Finieris Group, on September 14. The package comprises several orders received during the third quarter, with the full project becoming effective when the final delivery contract was signed.<\/p>\n
The scope includes veneer drying and grading, scarf-jointing and the modernisation of a veneer patching line. Raute will also supply plywood lay-up, pre-pressing, hot-pressing, repairing and overlaying lines, combining its R5 and automated R7 technologies.<\/p>\n
Deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2027 and the first quarter of 2028. The lines will start progressively from autumn 2027. Kohila Vineer will carry out installation, while Raute will provide installation supervision, commissioning and production ramp-up support.<\/p>\n
The contracts followed second-quarter order intake of EUR 18 million, compared with EUR 12 million a year earlier. Raute\u2019s order book stood at EUR 66 million at the end of June, down from EUR 115 million. The September contracts were therefore not included in the June backlog.<\/p>\n
Dieffenbacher announced on June 12 that elka-Holzwerke had commissioned a CEBRO particleboard line and a 20 MW energy plant for its Morbach site in Germany.<\/p>\n
The continuous line, equipped with a CPS+ press, will replace three single-opening presses supplied in 1968, 1973 and 1990. The delivery includes forming equipment, raw-board handling, a press-emission control system with an inline scrubber and the EVORIS digitalisation platform. The energy plant will use fresh biomass and waste wood to supply heat for pressing and drying.<\/p>\n
The equipment forms part of elka\u2019s modernisation programme underway since 2022. The customer described the overall programme as a high double-digit million-euro investment, without publishing a separate value for the Dieffenbacher contract.<\/p>\n
On July 23, Dieffenbacher announced another energy project, this time for MEDITE SMARTPLY\u2019s MDF plant in Clonmel, Ireland. Its scope comprises a 55 MW biomass firing system, wet-fuel handling and EVORIS. The new system will replace two existing energy plants and is intended to eliminate natural gas use for energy generation at the site. Dieffenbacher is responsible for engineering, equipment supply, installation and integration during ongoing operations.<\/p>\n
De Sutter Fr\u00e8res accepted a Dieffenbacher EVOsifter P installation, including a new zigzag sifter, at its flax-board plant in Biville-la-Rivi\u00e8re, France. The May 28 announcement followed less than three months of installation and commissioning.<\/p>\n
The project addressed stones, seeds and mineral impurities in the raw material. These had contributed to increased saw wear and, in the case of oil-containing seeds, staining after panel coating.<\/p>\n
In Thailand, Wisewoods commissioned a second Dieffenbacher Z-Sifter with a Dryer Discharge Conveyor at its Khao Yoi MDF site. Announced on August 11, the installation replaced two conventional sifters in an existing production line. Wisewoods reported an approximately 50% reduction in energy consumption at that processing stage without a loss of capacity.<\/p>\n
The same announcement identified four further Z-Sifters scheduled to begin operation in Thailand by the end of 2026: two for Panel Plus in Songkhla and two for Metro-Ply MDF in Surat Thani. Their completion was not confirmed in that announcement.<\/p>\n
Greenply Speciality Panels placed a repeat order with ANDRITZ for a pressurised refining system at its MDF facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The order was announced on August 11 and included in the supplier\u2019s second-quarter order intake. Its value was not disclosed.<\/p>\n
The system has a capacity of 25 tonnes per hour. Equipment includes the C-Feeder concept, a plug screw feeder with AdvaProtect wear-resistant segments, an S 1056 refiner and a pressurised digester. Greenply cited its experience with the supplier\u2019s existing technology and support in selecting the second system.<\/p>\n
Separately, ANDRITZ announced on June 8 that Vanachai had achieved first fiber production with its refining system at a new MDF facility in Chonburi, Thailand. The system processes hardwoods and wood blends. The announcement concerned the start-up of the refining equipment, rather than a new contract award.<\/p>\n
Siempelkamp reported provisional acceptance of WOTECH\u2019s rice-straw MDF plant in Idku, Egypt, in October. The acceptance certificate was signed on September 19, following delivery, installation and commissioning. WOTECH had selected Siempelkamp in December 2019.<\/p>\n
The plant has a design capacity of 205,000 m\u00b3 of MDF\/HDF per year. Siempelkamp\u2019s scope covered straw preparation, material handling, refining, drying, gluing, sifting, energy and environmental equipment, as well as forming, pressing, cooling, stacking, sanding and packaging.<\/p>\n
The forming and press line incorporates an 8-foot-wide, 48.7-metre-long ContiRoll press. WOTECH and its Egyptian contractors were responsible for civil works, erection and site infrastructure.<\/p>\n
According to the supplier, 16 mm boards tested during the performance trial met the specified requirements of EN 622-5 for MDF used in dry conditions. The panels use PMDI resin without added formaldehyde.<\/p>\n
EWD shipped a complete reducer-bandsaw line to Brazilian door manufacturer Sincol in Ca\u00e7ador. The October 9 report described a shipment of 39 containers with a combined weight exceeding 320 tonnes. Commissioning at the customer\u2019s site was the next project stage. The contract value and planned sawing capacity were not disclosed.<\/p>\n
USNR supplied a new grade scanner for Hancock Lumber\u2019s Bethel planer mill in the United States. Announced by the customer on August 13, the installation replaced a scanner that had operated since 2018. The application covers appearance-grade eastern white pine. Hancock also identified further scanner installations at its Casco and Pittsfield mills scheduled for 2027.<\/p>\n
Comact announced the first completed installation of its new Carriage Optimizer at Scierie Carri\u00e8re in Quebec on October 21. The system combines geometric scanning, optimisation and automated carriage positioning. It was integrated with existing mechanical equipment.<\/p>\n
Scierie Carri\u00e8re reported faster optimisation and positioning, improved cutting accuracy and a productivity increase of up to 5%. The customer said normal production pace had been restored after two production shifts following installation.<\/p>\n
In Australia, Hyne Timber selected a MiCROTEC Logeye system incorporating X-ray log-density measurement for its Tuan mill in Queensland. The August 20 announcement described the purchase as Hyne\u2019s third Logeye system. Project completion was expected in late 2026.<\/p>\n
M\u00fchlb\u00f6ck announced a contract to supply 15 combined drying and steaming kilns for Fagus Slovenica\u2019s new wood-processing site in Ko\u010devska Reka on September 11. Commissioning is scheduled for the end of 2027.<\/p>\n
The 1306 PRO kilns form part of an approximately EUR 50 million timber and energy complex. The kiln contract value was not separately disclosed. Ten chambers will be 15 metres long, with the remaining units measuring six or eight metres. Integrated steam basins allow steaming and drying within the same chamber.<\/p>\n
Fagus Slovenica, formerly Sne\u017enik, is a subsidiary of Slovenia\u2019s state forestry company SiDG. Its new processing operation will focus on beech.<\/p>\n
A separate September announcement concerned an upgrade at Pfeifer Holz in Lauterbach, Germany. M\u00fchlb\u00f6ck completed a Control Boost modernisation for eight existing drying kilns. This was a controls project, not the delivery of eight new chambers.<\/p>\n
Woodgrain announced the installation of a Cefla prefinishing line at its Latrobe distribution facility in Pennsylvania on May 21. The line supports the company\u2019s prefinished Therma-Tru entry-door business, with a focus on repair and remodelling customers. It uses the PrismaGuard finishing system. Neither contract value nor line capacity was disclosed.<\/p>\n
Valmet announced a new wood-handling line for The Price Companies in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on July 21. The project will increase chipping capacity for the supply of wood chips to pulp and paperboard operations.<\/p>\n
The order was booked in the second quarter of 2026, with start-up expected in November 2028. The contract value was not disclosed.<\/p>\n
HOMAG reported first-half order intake of EUR 634 million, approximately 7% below the prior-year EUR 683 million. Its order backlog was EUR 726 million at June 30, compared with EUR 734 million a year earlier. Sales declined to EUR 626 million from EUR 687 million.<\/p>\n
In its July results announcement, management said furniture manufacturers continued to delay investments and that it had not seen a significant recovery in customer demand.<\/p>\n
Biesse\u2019s first-half results discussion also described weak demand and orders below expectations. However, management reported slight growth in the wood business, supported by integrated production lines. Its group sales and orders cover several materials and are not directly comparable with a wood-only project register.<\/p>\n
IMA Schelling\u2019s chief executive referred in a June interview to recently built batch-size-one lines for an Italian bathroom furniture manufacturer. The customer, contract value and exact delivery dates were not identified. SCM\u2019s July customer-magazine announcement presented around 20 international case studies, but did not provide a corresponding register of orders received during the review period.<\/p>\n
These corporate updates are therefore kept separate from the dated customer projects below.<\/p>\n
Selected machinery orders, deliveries and commissioning milestones<\/p>\n
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| Supplier<\/th>\n | Customer \/ country<\/th>\n | Equipment \/ scope<\/th>\n | Announcement<\/th>\n | Confirmed status \/ schedule<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raute<\/th>\n | Kohila Vineer \nEstonia<\/td>\n | Veneer and plywood lines; approximately EUR 31m<\/td>\n | 14 Sep 2026<\/td>\n | Contracts effective. Deliveries H2 2027\u2013Q1 2028; phased start-up from autumn 2027.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Dieffenbacher<\/th>\n | elka-Holzwerke \nGermania<\/td>\n | CEBRO particleboard line, CPS+ press and 20 MW energy plant<\/td>\n | 12 Jun 2026<\/td>\n | Supply contract announced. Continuous line to replace three single-opening presses.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Dieffenbacher<\/th>\n | MEDITE SMARTPLY \nIreland<\/td>\n | 55 MW biomass energy system, fuel handling and EVORIS<\/td>\n | 23 Jul 2026<\/td>\n | Supply and integration announced for the existing Clonmel MDF site.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Dieffenbacher<\/th>\n | De Sutter Fr\u00e8res \nFran\u021ba<\/td>\n | EVOsifter P and zigzag sifter for flax-board production<\/td>\n | 28 May 2026<\/td>\n | Customer acceptance completed after installation and commissioning.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Dieffenbacher<\/th>\n | Wisewoods \nThailand<\/td>\n | Z-Sifter with Dryer Discharge Conveyor<\/td>\n | 11 Aug 2026<\/td>\n | Commissioned; replaced two conventional sifters in an existing MDF line.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Dieffenbacher<\/th>\n | Panel Plus \nThailand<\/td>\n | Two Z-Sifters with discharge conveyors, Songkhla<\/td>\n | 11 Aug 2026<\/td>\n | Start-up scheduled by end-2026; completion not confirmed in the announcement.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Dieffenbacher<\/th>\n | Metro-Ply MDF \nThailand<\/td>\n | Two Z-Sifters with discharge conveyors, Surat Thani<\/td>\n | 11 Aug 2026<\/td>\n | Start-up scheduled by end-2026; completion not confirmed in the announcement.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| ANDRITZ<\/th>\n | Greenply Speciality Panels \nIndia<\/td>\n | 25 t\/h pressurised refining system for MDF<\/td>\n | 11 Aug 2026<\/td>\n | Repeat order booked in Q2 2026. Delivery date not disclosed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| ANDRITZ<\/th>\n | Vanachai \nThailand<\/td>\n | Pressurised refining system, Chonburi MDF facility<\/td>\n | 8 Jun 2026<\/td>\n | First fiber production achieved.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Siempelkamp<\/th>\n | WOTECH \nEgipt<\/td>\n | Rice-straw MDF\/HDF plant; design capacity 205,000 m\u00b3\/year<\/td>\n | 12 Oct 2026<\/td>\n | Provisional acceptance signed 19 September 2026. Supplier selected in December 2019.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| USNR<\/th>\n | Hancock Lumber \nUnited States<\/td>\n | Grade scanner for Bethel planer mill<\/td>\n | 13 Aug 2026<\/td>\n | Installed. Further scanner installations at Casco and Pittsfield scheduled for 2027.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Comact<\/th>\n | Scierie Carri\u00e8re \nCanada<\/td>\n | Carriage Optimizer, scanning and positioning controls<\/td>\n | 21 Oct 2026<\/td>\n | First installation completed at the Quebec hardwood mill.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| MiCROTEC<\/th>\n | Hyne Timber \nAustralia<\/td>\n | Logeye with X-ray log-density measurement, Tuan mill<\/td>\n | 20 Aug 2026<\/td>\n | Project announced; completion expected in late 2026.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| EWD<\/th>\n | Sincol \nBrazilia<\/td>\n | Complete reducer-bandsaw line<\/td>\n | 9 Oct 2026<\/td>\n | Shipped in 39 containers weighing over 320 tonnes. Commissioning to follow.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| M\u00fchlb\u00f6ck<\/th>\n | Fagus Slovenica \nSlovenia<\/td>\n | 15 combined drying and steaming kilns, 1306 PRO<\/td>\n | 11 Sep 2026<\/td>\n | Supply project announced; commissioning scheduled for end-2027.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| M\u00fchlb\u00f6ck<\/th>\n | Pfeifer Holz \nGermania<\/td>\n | Control Boost upgrade for eight existing drying kilns<\/td>\n | 23 Sep 2026<\/td>\n | Controls modernisation completed at Lauterbach.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cefla<\/th>\n | Woodgrain \nUnited States<\/td>\n | Entry-door prefinishing line, Latrobe<\/td>\n | 21 May 2026<\/td>\n | Installation announced by the customer.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Valmet<\/th>\n | The Price Companies \nUnited States<\/td>\n | Wood-handling and chipping line, Pine Bluff<\/td>\n | 21 Jul 2026<\/td>\n | Order booked in Q2 2026. Start-up expected in November 2028.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n Contract values were not disclosed unless stated.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New orders and plant deliveries have continued across the woodworking machinery sector over the past six months, despite subdued investment among furniture manufacturers. Panel production, sawmill modernisation and energy systems feature among the projects announced. Raute secured EUR 31 million … Continue reading |