Solutions in particleboard Forestia

SOLUTIONS IN PARTICLEBOARD

Norwegian manufacturer and wholesaler of particleboard Forestia is part of Byggma Group, a leading supplier of innovative solutions for the building industry in Scandinavia. Forestia has developed a wide range of treated and untreated products for a variety of applications in the furniture, building and construction industries. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to director Bjarne Fluto to gain an insight into the company’s plans for continued success.

Based in Braskereidfoss, Norway, manufacturer and wholesaler of high quality particleboard Forestia has established a strong reputation as a leading name in Scandinavia. Forestia is feeling positive about its return to pre-recession levels. Director Bjarne Fluto told Industry Europe, “Like many other companies across the world over the past few years, Forestia has seen some difficulties, but we are pleased to report that our key market segments of furniture, building and construction are improving steadily. We’re more comfortable with the market at the moment than we have been for a while and, although we still have some spare capacity that we are keen to fill, we can see that the demand trend is going in the right direction.”

Product innovations

Mr Fluto pointed out that Forestia’s plans for an enhanced product range have seen further additions to its portfolio of particleboards, with a continued focus on its Scandinavian clients’ demands. He commented, “We have been bringing some new, interesting products to the building industry in particular. We already have the investment in machinery in place and the innovative development, so we are now getting ready to launch the products and bring them successfully to market.

Forestia is very much a Scandinavianfocused producer, with its strategic locations near the main milling areas to ensure it has regular and reliable access to the quality virgin fibre it uses to manufacture its particleboard, which is mostly residue from the saw mill industry. It produces predominately light-coloured particleboard, which offers considerable advantages to its customers in the furniture, building and construction industries as it is of a high and even quality that remains constant.

Forestia’s focus is largely on the Scandinavian market because, as a small, regional chipboard producer, it is dedicated to making the products that match its local demand. The requirements of panel sheet material in the markets in which Forestia operates are specific to Scandinavia, with the building trade in the rest of Europe using other products. Mr Fluto continued, “We are experts in particleboard for the Scandinavian market and it is this excellence that adds value for our customers. If customers or industries outside Scandinavia find our products interesting, we would certainly be happy to cooperate, so it is not a strategic decision, but rather one which we find ensures the best results for us and our customers.

Understanding industry trends

In order to ensure that this approach continues to be the best for the company, Forestia is active in visiting and participating in trade exhibitions across Europe. With much of its building trade custom connected to its strong network of contacts within the majority of the leading DIY chains in Scandinavia, this has proven to be an effective way to stay at the forefront of the industry trends. Forestia supplies both Scandinavian DIY chains and those European chains that have branches locally, so it is an effective way to keep its products and services relevant.

For the furniture industry, Forestia concentrates its activities on the smaller furniture suppliers in Scandinavia, although it also supplies chipboard to a number of the companies which manufacture furniture for IKEA.

Forestia particleboard offers considerable advantages in addition to its exceptional quality and reliability. The boards have vital strength properties that can be utilised both by the building industry and the furniture industry. Its best selling products are flooring-grade chipboard and panelling systems for ceiling and wall panels, which offer excellent foil surface treatment possibilities.

All the Forestia particleboard products are manufactured at one of its two factories in Norway. The first is located around 200km north east of Oslo and has a continuous chipboard line that produces a thousand cubic meters each day. The second factory is a little further north and offers smaller, specialised production of mainly flooring-grade chipboard and chipboard for the construction industry, including moisture-resistant and heavy-duty load-bearing products.

As Forestia looks to bring new products to the market, its aim is to continue to develop innovative particleboard solutions and to further improve its profitability. n