Hundred year old logs turned into perfect boards

After felling, the timber measurer makes an initial review of the logs, making sure that they meet the quality agreed between Kährs and the forest owners. The logs go through a metal detector, so that any log with metal, for example barbed wire, can be removed.

Some 20-25 trucks arrive at Kährs sawmill in Nybro every day, loaded with timber. 88% of all the wood used in Kährs production comes from the surrounding forests in Småland, in Southern Sweden. Before the log is brought into the sawmill, a cutter is used to remove buttresses and lumps, while a barker removes a couple of centimetres of bark. The aim is to ensure that the log going into the sawmill is as good as possible. Large oak logs require a lot of effort.

Three 1-strip boards per log with modern log bandsaw

Kährs uses two kinds of sawing techniques: one is known as set blade alignment, where you decide in advance what you are going to take from the log. The other is an ultra-modern log bandsaw.

“The log bandsaw can be used to twist and turn the log while sawing. This allows us to make better use of heavy logs,” says Torbjörn Lagesson, production manager at the saw.

Torbjörn proudly explains about the latest investment in a new bandsaw line.

“We used to get ten layers out of a log. But now, with the new bandsaw line, we’re able to cut really thinly, getting thirteen layers. This is a massive improvement in terms of use of materials.”