The Europe’s largest manufacturer of coniferous plywood, UPM Pellos mills exceeded 10 million cubic meter’s in total production

UPM Plywood’s Pellos mills have crossed a significant milestone of 10 million cubic meters in all-time total production. The achievement is unique in Europe and rare also in the world scale.

The operation that began in 1964 as a small chipboard factory has expanded over the decades to comprise three plywood mills forming a world-class plywood production unit.

“Pellos mills are clearly one of our main production units. They account for about half of our total production capacity, and practically all of the spruce plywood production”, says Mika Kekki, Vice President, Production & Operations at UPM Plywood. “The competition in the coniferous plywood is very tough. Still, Pellos mills have managed to establish themselves as the leading supplier to the European market. This is thanks to the strong-minded development work and highly qualified personnel. In addition to technical development, working methods at the mills have been actively developed locally in co-operation with the staff, “continues Kekki.

About the improvement of production

UPM mills Pellos production efficiency has improved significantly over the past two decades. For example, the volume of production per hour worked has more than doubled. In recent years, special attention has been paid to improving safety at work. The number of accidents has fallen by more than 90% over the past five years.

Development of the safety, efficiency and working methods as well as the product quality will be a key part of securing the mill’s competitiveness also in the future. More than 90% of the Pellos mills’ production is exported. Pellos products compete in the international market, where the most serious competitors come from clearly lower-cost countries, especially from South America.