Uncompromising power and agility Ponsse

UNCOMPROMISING POWER AND AGILITY

When Ponsse was founded in 1970 by a Finnish forestry entrepreneur, its products took the market by storm. Light, powerful and agile, the unique machines were the brainchild of Einari Vidgren. When other manufacturers’ machines were unable to withstand the heavy-duty use that Vidgren required, he decided to build his own. As a result, Ponsse quickly became a market leader in the development and manufacture of heavy-duty forestry machines designed for the ‘cut-to-length’ method. Philip Yorke reports.

Ponsse is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of forestry machines and its customer-orientated operations are still guided by the wishes and needs of forest machine entrepreneurs worldwide. The company’s products cover the diverse requirements of efficient harvesting faced by the global forestry industry. Tree species can vary greatly around the world from old pine to eucalyptus, and the machines have to endure tropical heat and arctic conditions without damaging the local terrain and be capable of climbing the steepest gradients.

Ponsse specialises in the production, sale and maintenance of forest machines specially designed for the cut-to-length method of harvesting, as well as their related information systems. Today innovation lies at the heart of the company’s business, which remains an independent familyowned concern. From the outset Ponsse has been dedicated to meeting the precise and challenging demands of the global forestry industry as dictated by forestry owners and operators worldwide.

Tailor-made efficiency

Ponsse’s mission is to supply its customers with the best possible tools to suit all tree species and harvesting environments. Ponsse only designs products that meet its customers’ strict demands for efficiency, reliability, safety, durability and ease of use. Ponsse forestry machines are acknowledged as the best in the world. All its machines are developed as a result of close collaboration with its customers. For example, the new Ponsse 2015 series is a prime example of the vital role that custom-

DSV, at your service comprehensively across all logistics needs

DSV offer its customers global and competitive transport and logistics services of a consistent high quality standard.

We provide well-proven and cost-effective services as well as more tailored solutions to our customers. Our powerful concepts are developed through integrated relationships with our long term and loyal customers like Ponsse, DSV Road Finland’s Sales and Marketing Director Jurkka Mäkelä says.

In their recently released strategy DSV promise to offer strong industry insight into specific verticals, and support its customers through a clear account responsibility and high visibility.

We are one company and aim for the right balance between local, divisional and central tasks and responsibilities. In marketing we talk about One DSV meaning that customers can buy all their logistics needs with a single-stop principle, Mäkelä emphasize.

DSV’s corporate structure is built on three divisions: DSV Road, DSV Air & Sea and DSV Solutions. In all companies the business models and processes are clear and similar. This means that the quality differences between the companies are minor. All the companies are also managed in order to adapt to local market conditions and customer needs.

When DSV deliver transport services to their customers, great focus is naturally placed on quality and price, but this is not always the only priority. Operational excellence and customer intimacy are key words DSV trust.

In Finland we have created several specific customer service models which we call Control Towers. The employees working in Control Towers are dedicated to one specific customer and are taking care of all the customer’s needs. This way they are always aware of what is going on in any part of the world regarding to the customer like Ponsse, Mäkelä explains.

ers play in determining the development of solutions that enable the production of more powerful, reliable and ergonomic harvesting.

Ponsse harvesters handle both wood for bio-energy and largerdiameter trunks quickly and efficiently. Because these machines are so versatile, they ensure maximum productivity in all weather and terrain conditions, offering perfect comfort for the operator in the process.

The company’s ‘BuffaloDual’ machine is also unique, in that it can be transformed from an efficient harvester into a powerful forwarder in a matter of minutes. When the employment of two machines is too much, then this is the perfect solution. It is arguably the most versatile forest machine on the market and manufactured with uncompromising power and the most advanced technology.

In addition, Ponsse offer specially designed models in different sizes that guarantee users the most efficient harvester head regardless of the harvesting site terrain for heavy-duty logging or energy wood harvesting.

Powerful performers

When using forestry machines, the majority of the work is performed using cranes and loaders. This means that strength, movement, speed and controllability of cranes and loaders are critical to achieving optimal harvesting efficiency. Ponsse meets these challenges by offering products with unusually powerful performance for their size, with extensive hydraulic capacity and the company’s unique ‘OptiControl’ system.

To ensure optimised power and accurate data, Ponsse designs and manufactures all of the control and measuring systems needed for the harvesting chain. The new 2015 product series provide new engine technology and combined with improved hydraulics have enabled the service intervals to be extended from 600/1200 hours to 900/1800 hours. These long service intervals increase efficient working hours and reduce operating costs. In addition, the Ponsse Elk, Wisent and Gazelle all now provide significantly higher torque and power.

The 8-wheeler Ponsse Bear is the largest harvester in the Ponsse range and an unrivalled powerhouse for the harvesting of thick trees in demanding conditions. The company’s new ScorpionKing also offers improved productivity, cost-efficiency and comfort to the most challenging logging sites.

Another important model is the 2015 series Ergo 8w, which offers a highly efficient Mercedes-Benz engine with a dual circuit hydraulic system that ensures the most powerful performance for its size in its class.

In addition, the upgraded Ponsse Buffalo is a highly efficient and reliable middle-sized forwarder designed to offer excellent tree thinning capabilities and regeneration felling. An all-new cabin suspension system has been also designed for the company’s 8-wheelers that provides a simple, more functional structure that suspends any sideways movement that may be directed towards the driver. Expanding global reach

Although Scandinavia remains the company’s main market it is also gaining ground in mainland Europe, Russia and South and North America. The company is also expanding into other regional growth areas such as China, which has vast eucalyptus plantations where many of Ponsse’s machines are already in operation. China also uses a lot of wood pulp so the opportunities for growth in this market are very strong and equal to similar opportunities in Russia and South America.

Recently, Ponsse appointed a new retailer in Brazil: Timber Forest Equipmentos, which is focused on heavy-duty felling head solutions and operates in the countries three southernmost states. n

For further details of Ponsse’s latest innovative and powerful forestry machinery visit: www.ponsse.com