Ponsse News 2/2019, EN by Ponsse Plc

ENGLISH

PONSSE CUSTOMER AND STAKEHOLDER MAGAZINE 2/2019

PONSSE NEWS NEW SERVICE CENTRE IN MIKKELI

QUALITY FOR 30 YEARS

THINNING IN RUSSIA

SYNNE HENRIKSEN

TRUSTS HERSELF AND PONSSE

PONSSE NEWS

GREETINGS FROM VIEREMÄ!

PONSSE CUSTOMER AND STAKEHOLDER MAGAZINE PUBLISHER

Ponsse Plc Ponssentie 22, FI-74200 Vieremä, Finland EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Katja Paananen

EDITING & CONTENT

Ponsse Plc ISSN 2489-9488 (print) ISSN 2489-9496 (online publication) EDITORIAL STAFF

Juho Nummela, Katja Paananen, Juha-Matti Raatikainen, Marika Ryytty, Jarmo Vidgrén, Juha Vidgrén LAYOUT

Luova Työmaa COVER PHOTO

Ponsse Plc ILLUSTRATION (PONSSE KIDS)

Henna Ryynänen PRINT

Painotalo Seiska

4 THINNING IN RUSSIA 10 PONSSE COBRA

Digging deeper into technology 14 PRODUCT CHANGES 16 SPARE PARTS FROM FINLAND TO THE WORLD 18 PONSSE ACCESSORIES

Filter packages

24 19 PONSSE PEOPLE

Ponsse North America Inc’s Service Manager Jerry Koski 20 PONSSE MOMENT 22 PONSSE SERVICES

New facilities in Mikkeli 24 WOMEN IN THE FOREST MACHINE INDUSTRY

30 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS IN PRODUCTION 32 ST PETERSBURG TRAINING CENTRE 34 LOGGING NEWS 41 PONSSE KIDS 42 PONSSE COLLECTION

Synne Henriksen and Therese Pripp

PAPER

Maxi Silk, High Speed Matt ADDRESS SOURCE

Mailing list of Ponsse News and Ponsse customer register

Ponsse Plc’s customer and partner magazine Ponsse News is published three times a year. Feedback, subscriptions and changes of address by email to ponssenews@ ponsse.com. The magazine is free of charge.

On the assembly line, the machines are moved on guided tracks.

Climate change, forest fires and beetle damage have turned gazes to forests around the world. When consumption habits are focused on more environmentally sustainable materials, our way of using and logging wood must continue to be at the heart of the debate. As renewable materials replace plastics, wood and forest machines are increasingly needed. It is the responsibility of the machine manufacturer to ensure that valuable raw material can be used efficiently, that the harvest causes no unnecessary damage to the environment, and that the use and production of machinery has as small carbon footprint as possible. So that trees can be planted again and the cycle can continue. Environmental issues are not just a fad at Ponsse. They have already long guided our daily development of products and operations. Ponsse’s guiding mission is that “We will succeed with our customers and partners through innovative harvesting solutions based on sustainable development”. This idea is also supported by our industry as a manufacturer of cut-to-length logging solutions (CTL). Wood harvesting based on cutting wood into assortments already in the forest is known to be the most effective environmentally friendly way to harvest wood, and it also makes productive harvesting possible through thinning. Throughout our history, the development of forest machines has been greatly accelerated by forest industry requirements and fierce competition between manufacturers. Customers’ demands for low fuel and maintenance costs, high availability and productivity, forest companies' aspirations to make use of machinegenerated information, forest owners’ demands for minimal terrain damage, and operators’ hopes for an ergonomic work environment all fall under the responsibility of product development – not to mention that legislation defines the emission levels and structural safety of engines. Environmental considerations have been at the focus not only for the environment itself, but also for our customers’ needs. Our factory has always been located in the centre of a small and lively village, so the company has always been truly part of the surrounding community. A factory in the middle of such a settlement must not pollute the surrounding area, and the safety of workers is a strong concern in this family business. Many of our strengths are rooted in the company’s core values, but as generations change, both in the cabins of the forest machines and in manufacturing, new developments take place. We have a real ambition to be a pioneer of sustainable wood harvesting and a responsible participant in sustainable forestry.

Juho Nummela President and CEO

REPORT / THINNING IN RUSSIA

Forest research began in Russia during Peter the Great’s reign in the late 17th century, when the country needed a large amount of wood to build a navy, cities and fortifications. To secure the country’s forest resources, the Tsar invited experts from Germany, as the country's forestry expertise was considered to the best in the world. The doctrine quickly gained ground.

THINNING IN RUSSIA

Today, Russian forestry is developing at least as fast as in Peter the Great’s time. Cut-to-Length harvesting has quickly grown in the last 10 years, and the interest in thinning as part of forest management has increased.

– outlook and challenges BY:

Olga Grigorieva, an instructor at the Department of Forestry of the St Petersburg State Forestry University Igor Grigoriev, Doctor of Technical science, professor and Professor of the chair, Technology and equipment of forest complex Yakut State Agricultural Academy

istorical sources record forestry activities such as thinning dating back to the birth of the Principalities of Moscow and Kiev between the 11th and 13th centuries. Later, harvesting was developed in the Tula region, where deciduous forests were felled to protect the Principality of Moscow from Tatar attacks. In 1804, the author of the oldest forestry guide in Russia, Ziablovski, defined three harvesting

methods: seedling stand thinning, group selection and cleaning. During Soviet times, statesupported thinning was seen as a basic method of growing a high-quality tree stand. Many forest institutes around the country conducted felling tests in planted stands to study the effects of thinning. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, state support stopped, and the extensive felling tests were never completed. The number of thinning operations

in Russia plummeted. Deciduous trees took over areas from conifers, and brushes grew on felling sites, significantly reducing the commercial value of the forests. The situation was affected by Russia’s inadequate forest legislation. More than 40 editions of the Russian Federation’s forest legislation have been published, and the new forestry regulations came into force at the beginning of last year. However, the situation has not improved significantly.

The challenges are largely based on the fact that Russian forest legislation does not indicate a long-term owner of forests, for whom it would be worthwhile to make far-reaching forestry investments. Conifers are the most common wood type in Russian forests. They have a turnover time of more than 100 years. However, the longest possible lease term for forest areas is 49 years, and companies are not extending their planning beyond this limit.

THINNING RESEARCH

In Russia, thinning has been considered unprofitable for a long time. The unprofitability and the uncertain economic outlook have led forest industry operators to minimise the number of thinning operations. In addition, thinning has traditionally been done manually, and in recent years, there has been a significant shortage of loggers. In Finland, more than 40 per cent of timber comes from thinning, but

in Russia the proportion is negligible. Under Russian law, logging companies are responsible for the protection and management of leased forest areas. The selling of deciduous timber and the parts of conifers used for fibre is unprofitable for the companies. The official Russian forestry regulations define the following types of thinning: cleaning, sapling and quality thinning, improvement felling, felling of standards, regeneration felling, maintenance felling, reconstruction

REPORT / THINNING IN RUSSIA

Thinning methods

Forest age in years (Russia’s European side)

Conifers and hard wood species

other tree species at felling age

more than 100 years

less than 100 years

more than 60 years 50–60 years

Cleaning-thinning

no more than 10 years

no more than 10 years no more than 10

no more than 10

no more than 5

Sapling stand thinning

11–20

6–10

Quality thinning (1st thinning)

21–60

21–40

21–30

11–20

Improvement felling (2nd thinning)

more than 60

more than 40

more than 30

more than 20

felling and special felling, as well as felling of individual trees. On the European side of Russia, spruce and pine sapling stands are considered to become forests at around 10 years of age. For deciduous species, this age is 5–6 years. The first thinning is the thinning of the sapling stands, often done in a situation where deciduous species tend to take over the space from conifers. Quality thinning is done in a young growing forest during an intensive

growth phase, selecting the healthiest and best structured individuals of the dominant species. However, this is a labour-consuming operation. In addition, its economic profitability is weak, because it does not provide the type of timber for which there is demand in Russia. This is why it is seldomly used. Improvement felling improves the quality of future stands and reduces the time needed for forest management. Improvement felling

In 2018, a joint project was launched in Perm to develop and implement effective timber procurement practices. At the beginning of the project, there was a six-month training period, during which OOO Ponsse’s trainers instructed forest machine operators at the site or using a simulator with VR capabilities.

less than 50 years

is worthwhile only when quality thinning has been done before it. At this phase, the growth rate of the trees slows down, and extensive late felling can weaken growth and reduce yield at maturity felling. Felling can also damage the remaining trees if done with the wrong equipment or working methods.

Ponsse trains forest machine operators and supervisors in Russia for the effective use of cut-to-length harvesting in different types of felling, for example thinning. The training consists of both theoretical and practical exercises.

OOO PONSSE developing harvesting

onsse’s Russian subsidiary OOO Ponsse actively supports its Russian customers in implementing thinning methods that have proved practical in other countries. The company provides consulting support and trains forest machine operators, supervisors and managers to effectively use the cut-to-length method for various felling. The training portfolio includes training for forestry managers to examine the causes and other factors affecting the quality of the timber produced – creating felling zones, price lists and reports, learning calibration and timber quality control. The training continues with the introduction of the features and harvesting techniques of the forest machine and learning about timber storage.

Customers have been able to enhance their productivity.

OOO Ponsse’s Russian customers have major thinning projects under varying conditions in Irkutsk, Perm, the Komi Republic and the Karelia region. With the support of the Ponsse trainers, customers have succeeded in improving their productivity and reducing energy consumption in essential forest management operations. For example, in a thinning project in Irkutsk, the productivity of the machines increased from ten to fourteen cubic meters per hour in two months, while fuel consumption fell from 15 to 14.2 litres per hour.

REPORT / THINNING IN RUSSIA

OOO Ponsse is a leading supplier of modern forest machines in Russia. In addition, the company provides its customers with highquality maintenance, assistance in harvesting company personnel training, and support in deploying globally proven and efficient operations. We believe that the increasing popularity of mechanical thinning using Nordic technology will grow PONSSE’s forest machine business in Russia. We see potential in light capacity forwarders, like the Wisent and Elk, which are currently very little used in Russia. Igor Grigoriev, Doctor of Technical science, professor and Professor of the chair, Technology and equipment of forest complex Yakut State Agricultural Academy

In November last year, the first improvement felling operations were carried out in Chusovoy under the supervision of the forest authorities. To obtain concrete results, the area was divided into four sectors, each of which was handled differently. The aim was not only to introduce different thinning methods, but also to collect information on machine productivity and fuel consumption. The results led to the expected conclusion that: using the cut-to-length method for thinning is beneficial and does not incur significant costs.

Forest machines doing thinning, as well as final felling operations, are required to have good productivity and operator ergonomics, low operating costs, and be environmentally friendly and adaptable to varying harvesting conditions. Furthermore, crane reach should be as wide as possible. The most popular models used in thinning in Finland are the PONSSE Beaver with the multi-stemming H5 or H6 harvester head, the PONSSE Fox with the H6 harvester head, the 13-tonne PONSSE Elk and the 12-tonne Wisent. In Russia, forwarders need more capacity, which is why machines with a capacity of 14 tonnes or more have traditionally been the most popular. The PONSSE Scorpion King harvester with the PONSSE Buffalo forwarder has a great impression with their suitability for Russian thinning sites. The Scorpion King’s unique balancing helps the operator stay alert longer and avoid mistakes. As a result, productivity is improved and damage to remaining stands is reduced. A thinning project was carried out in Dobryanka, which included a conference on topical issues of Permian forest use. The purpose of the event was to present and compare the thinning methods in use.

The following prerequisites for effective thinning felling were identified: • Selecting the right machines (e.g. Scorpion King). • Good training for the employees. • Thanks to low fuel consumption and skilled operators, key figures achieved on thinning sites can be as good as in final felling. • Efficiency can be enhanced by modern information systems that allow the operator’s work to be monitored so that necessary adjustments can be made considering the conditions at the site. The project also encountered problems typical to the Russian forest industry: • Forest assessment data does not always correspond to reality, because assessment is usually done using camera equipment. • Previously, thinning operations have been implemented insufficiently or not at all. • Information from the felling site is not always consistent with the assessment data.

An example of this is a harvesting plot that was assessed to have a growing stock of 9,204 m3 and a tree density of 0.8. However, the actual growing stock was 15,859 m3. According to official regulations, the tree density of a plot must not be less than 0.6 after the felling. The change of tree density from 0.8 to 0.6 meant a decline of 20%. So, according to the assessment data, the maximum felling amount was 1,841 cubic metres, but had the felling been done based on actual tree density data, the harvested amount would have been 3,172 cubic metres. This harvesting volume would have been within the limits of the tree density requirements. Harvesting exceeding the volume of 1,841 m3, which was based on the assessment data, would be considered illegally excessive felling, which would lead to criminal sanctions, probably even imprisonment and fines. Problems like the one described above are a common headache for Russian forestry operators. In practice, it would be better if the actual wood stock was less than documented measurement data. If the opposite is the case, it may even be better to burn excess timber at the felling site than to go through all the paperwork needed to resolve the situation.

For issues arising from the project, the following action plan was agreed with Perm’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Forestry and Environment: • A calculation of the number of stems will be done on improvement felling sites before the felling begins. • Felling zones will be mapped out with laser scanning (Light Detection and Ranging, LIDAR) from an aircraft. • The data is used to most efficiently plan the felling site. • After the felling, the site is re-examined both from the ground and using LIDAR. • The harvesting is managed using information generated by the information systems of the forest machines. • Forest machine operator qualification requirements will be included in the regulations.

INNOVATION / PONSSE COBRA

PONSSE COBRA Digging deeper into technology

Ponsse launched the Cobra harvester in the autumn of 2018. The strengths of the PONSSE Cobra include versatility on different kinds of job sites and a powerful but fuel-efficient powerline and hydraulics. The new harvester has a wide range of equipment, so it can adapt to a wide range of cutting and working methods. The Cobra has been well received because of this versatility.

he Cobra’s technical solutions are reliable basic technology, and the eight-wheel drive gives the machine stability and traction. The crane options are the reliable C44+ parallel crane and C5 sliding boom crane with an 11-metre reach, familiar from other PONSSE models. The wide selection of harvester heads ranges from thinning to large diameter trees and eucalyptus debarking options. For the most demanding steep slope felling operations, the Cobra can be equipped with the PONSSE Synchrowinch solution, which enhances the machine’s movement

and reduces stress on the soil. The Cobra’s power transmission includes a powerful six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine and a large 210 cm3 hydraulic pump with enough capacity to do its job while fuel consumption remains low. The familiar and tested basic technology makes the Cobra's maintenance costs and need for service low.

What makes the Cobra an excellent versatile machine?

TRANSMISSION

The heart of the Cobra is a powerful 6-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine. Already at low revs, this power source delivers 1,100–1,200 Nm of torque, depending on the engine model and its emission level, so the Cobra can keep going, even in the most demanding conditions. The engine also delivers enough power, 205 or 210 kW, which makes it easy for the machine to push through the spikes in load variations. The large 210 cm3 hydraulic pump is directly connected to the engine. The direct installation on the engine is simple in design, reducing maintenance requirements and the

number of components compared to transfer case pump installations, as well as improving transmission efficiency. Thanks to the large work pump and the generous capacity of the hydraulics, fuel economy and maintenance costs remain low. The Cobra’s tractive force is 195 kN, which makes it a leader in its size class. CRANE

Two different crane options are available for the Cobra. The PONSSE C44+ is Ponsse’s own parallel crane, which has already proved its user friendliness and efficiency in other Ponsse harvesters. The C44+ crane has

a hydraulic parallel action, which makes the crane precise to use. Compared to a mechanical parallel action, the hydraulic function minimises the number of pivot points that are susceptible to wear. This reduces vibrations caused by play in the worn pivot points. Because of its agility and reach, the C44+ fits most applications, as the crane rotation takes up little space around the machine. The reach of the C44+ is 11 metres when equipped with the H6 harvester head. The other crane option uses Ponsse’s traditional sliding boom design. The C5 sliding boom crane is a powerful

option for situations where a low centre of gravity is important for the stability of the machine, for example on steep slopes. The maximum reach of the C5 sliding boom crane is 10 metres, depending on the harvester head. Both crane models are equipped with two rotation motors, since rotation accuracy and power play an important role in working efficiency. It is also possible to tilt the crane stand to ± 20º for maximum rotational power in slope conditions. Both crane models have a high lifting torque of 248 or 250 kNm, which is excellent for the size class of the machine.

INNOVATION / PONSSE COBRA

PONSSE COBRA customer feedback

Technical specifications: Dimensions Minimum weight Typical weight Length Width Ground clearance Transportation height (C5/C44+)

19,800 kg (43,651 lbs) 20,900 kg (46,077 lbs) 8,130 mm (320 in) 2,630–3,080 mm (103.5–121 in) 600 mm (23.6 in) 3,800 mm (150 in)

Crane Swing torque Tilt angle Crane swing angle Lifting torque Reach

C44+ C5 57 kNm 57 kNm ±20° ±20° 250° 250° 250 kNm 248 kNm 8.6/10/11 m 8.6/9.5/10 m (28.2/32.8/36 ft) (28.2/31/32.8 ft)

Engine

PLATFORM

Thanks to its eight wheels the Cobra is very stable, and its surface pressure is low. The 1,500 mm hub distance on the bogies and the large 26.5” tyres divide the weight of the machine evenly, and the tyre size makes the machine’s ground clearance high. In addition to tyre size and the bogies, surface pressure is also affected by different track solutions. Eight wheels make it possible for the machine to traverse uneven and soft terrain. The Cobra has Ponsse’s excellent cylinder-powered frame lock, which stabilises the machine during work and functions as a shock absorber when driving. The 380-litre fuel tank makes it possible to keep working for a long time without refuelling. HARVESTER HEAD

One factor in the adaptability of the Cobra is the range of harvester head options. All PONSSE harvester heads are manufactured and designed at the Ponsse factory in Vieremä. This is why they work seamlessly with the PONSSE harvesters. The Cobra’s harvester head options start with the PONSSE H5 harvester head designed for thinning felling. The next step into a larger size class

Model

MB OM936LA EU Stage V (Europe) MB OM936LA Tier 4F (North America) MB OM906LA EU Stage IIIA (other countries)

Power

EU and North America: 210 kW (286 hp) Other countries: 205 kW (275 hp)

Torque

EU: 1,200 Nm (1,200–1,600 rpm) North America: 1,150 Nm (1,200–1,600 rpm) Other countries: 1,100 Nm (1,200–1,600 rpm)

Tractive force

195 kN (43,838 lbf)

Fuel tank volume

380 l (100 gal US)

Hydraulic system Working pump

210 cm3 (12.8 cu in)

Oil tank volume

290 l (76.6 gal US)

The Cobra was delivered to us at the end of May. This marked a new beginning for our company, because the Cobra is the first PONSSE harvester we have owned and at the same time the first Cobra in the whole of Ireland. There has been no cause for concern, as the machine has been running smoothly and reliably. We were a little apprehensive about the visibility from the machine, especially on thinning sites. However, the spacious and silent cabin has been a very pleasant working environment for a whole day’s work, with no vibrations affecting the operator. We bought the Cobra for both thinning and regeneration felling sites to complement the PONSSE Wisent. These two machines are a perfect pair, and the Wisent follows the Cobra everywhere. The C44+ crane is very powerful with the H7 harvester head, and we haven’t had any trouble, even with the largest trees. Thinning is easy work for this machine. On thinning sites, the engine can remain at 1,500 rpm, and we still have more than enough speed. The H7 is equipped with the feed motors from the H6, and we can achieve maximum speed at minimum rpm. There’s lots of power to spare. In conclusion, we can say that the Cobra has so far been everything Ponsse said it would be. In addition, the comfort, stability and ease of work are things that have made us the most happy, and we keep on learning new things every day. Tony Davis, Larke & Davis Timber Ltd, Ireland

We received the Cobra nine months ago. It’s the first PONSSE Cobra in Uruguay. We usually process and debark eucalyptus with the Cobra straight off the bunches behind a feller-buncher. Our impression is that we’ve managed to enhance our productivity and reduce our fuel consumption with the help of the Cobra. We also do cut-to-length logging on eucalyptus plantations. There, the Cobra’s productivity is as good as with bigger machines, but fuel consumption is lower. Gustavo Gabriel Hernandez Pereyra, Famanex S.A. Uruguay

Tyres Front and rear

26.5 "

is the PONSSE H6 harvester head, which is praised as the best general harvester head on the market. It is suitable for a variety of uses, ranging from thinning sites with small trees to regeneration felling. Paired with the C44+ crane, both these harvester heads have a reach of 11 metres. For larger trees, the Cobra can be equipped with the strong and compact PONSSE H7 harvester head, designed for demanding work at regeneration felling sites and later thinning sites. Although the H7 is a large harvester head, it can reach up to 10 metres with a crane. Two harvester heads for processing and debarking eucalyptus trees are also

available for the Cobra. The PONSSE H7 Euca works well with very large trees because of its centering geometry. Yet the PONSSE H77 Euca is an efficient and durable debarking harvester head for processing smaller eucalyptus trees. The H77 Euca harvester head is characterised by the feed rollers on its sides, enabling very efficient debarking. If necessary, the H77 Euca can be equipped for conventional harvesting. With the debarking harvester heads, the Cobra’s crane reach is 8.6 or 9.5 metres, depending on the crane model.

We’ve used the Cobra for a year in the forests of Kainuu and North Karelia. The machine is really stable, and its power is very good for our felling sites. The best harvester I’ve operated. Mikko Pikkarainen, Kalevi Määttä Oy, Finland

The Cobra was delivered from Ponsse ready to work. Measuring was accurate from the beginning, and cutting accuracy was excellent. Furthermore, there was no need to change the crane adjustments at all. It’s easy to keep hold of even a larger trunk: the feeding has a lot of strength and the saw is powerful. The stability of the machine makes it easier for the operator to cope with their work. Our operators have used the automatic extension of the crane and found it very good. The hydraulics are powerful, and we haven’t had any overheating problems with it. We’ve been very pleased with the machine. Productivity has gone up significantly compared to the previous 2012 Beaver. Janne Kangas, Koneurakoitsijat Kangas Oy, Finland. In the picture: Janne Halmetoja (left) and Janne Kangas.

INNOVATION / PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

PRODUCT CHANGES

The new location of the main current switch and the emergency stop switch

Customer feedback changes our model range Ponsse’s product development is always based on customer needs. Therefore, it’s not limited to the design of new technology. Our existing range of machines is continuously being developed and improved. Each year about a thousand continuous improvement changes are made in the PONSSE product family, based on the development wishes of customers, maintenance and production. For example, the following changes have made their way into production.

The main current switch and the emergency stop switch of the PONSSE machine models have been moved to a more userfriendly location. The switches, previously located on the side panel, are now easy to reach, without getting your clothes dirty. At the same time, the seldomly used pressure gauge nipples have been moved to a safe location on the side panel, and they have been protected with a cover. With these changes, attention has been paid to safety: for example, the bumper casing handle has been shaped to ensure a trouser leg does not catch on it when climbing down from the cabin.

Pressure gauge nipples

New in PONSSE C44+ and C50 parallel cranes OPTIMISED MOVEMENT RANGE OF THE PARALLEL CRANES. The movement range of the PONSSE C44+ and C50 parallel cranes has been optimised. Thanks to this change, the trajectory of the harvester head is closer to horizontal, regardless of the crane’s position. This has been achieved through a change in the cylinder. As a result, the crane is easier to handle at close range, and fuel economy has been improved.

Main current switch

Trajectory, NEW parallel cylinder extension in Trajectory, NEW parallel cylinder extension out Trajectory, OLD parallel cylinder extension in

PONSSE OptiPC as standard equipment in forwarders

Service ladder integrated into the cabin ladder

The standard equipment for all forwarders has been updated to the OptiPC . The change makes it possible to also use the loader scale on the OptiPC screen instead of using separate screens. So there is no longer a need for separate screens.

Trajectory, OLD parallel cylinder extension out

NEW HOSING FOR PARALLEL CRANES

The PONSSE C44+ and C50 parallel cranes have a new hose connection support that uses SAE type flange joints. SAE flange joints help to achieve low pressure loss and makes changing hoses easier. The new design is available for the PONSSE H6 and H7 harvester heads.

Activated carbon filter for cabin air intake The filtering of air in the PONSSE cabins has been improved. The machines are delivered from the factory equipped with activated carbon filters, which are efficient in filtering out impurities and smells from the air. The traditional paper filter is still available as a replacement part.

Service ladder.

The service ladder has been moved to a more user-friendly location. Depending on the model, the service ladder is either integrated into the cabin ladder, where it is easy to remove, or on top of the bumper (PONSSE Scorpion). Thanks to this new solution, the service ladder is easier to use and stays better protected.

SERVICES / GLOBAL SERVICE NETWORK

SPARE PARTS FROM FINLAND TO THE WORLD The Iisalmi logistics centre is Ponsse Plc’s central warehouse, serving the 200 service centres of the global PONSSE service network in almost

NORTH AMERICA EXPRESS ORDER STOCK ORDER

RUSSIA

EUROPE

2–3 working days

EXPRESS ORDER

5 working days

SEA FREIGHT 6

1–2 working days

SEA FREIGHT 1

weeks

STOCK ORDER

EXPRESS ORDER

week

STOCK ORDER

3 working days 8 working days

1 week

40 countries. The logistics centre delivers all PONSSE forest machine spare parts, ranging from hydraulic components to forest machine accessories. The online shop’s Ponsse Collection products also go through the warehouse. Each year, more than 100,000 separate shipments are delivered from Iisalmi to different parts of the world, and the central warehouse has more than 21,000 spare part items.

BRAZIL

URUGUAY

EXPRESS ORDER STOCK ORDER

3 working days

6 working days

SEA FREIGHT 5

EXPRESS ORDER 3 working days

7 working days

STOCK ORDER

weeks

SEA FREIGHT

5 weeks

Russia, Asia, Australia ans South Africa PONSSE CHINA LTD. OOO PONSSE

North and South America

PONSSÉ S.A.S

OOO KOSTROMA-SERVIS-PONSSE

PONSSE LATIN AMERICA LTDA

BRAZIL

PONSSE MACHINES IRELAND LTD

PONSSE NORTH AMERICA, INC.

USA

PONSSE URUGUAY S.A.

URUGUAY

A.L.P.A EQUIPMENT LTD.

CANADA

CHADWICK-BAROSS, INC. HYDROMEC INC.

FOREST POWER KFT. PML PONSSE

READYQUIP SALES AND SERVICE LTD. FC-VENT AS Y SERVICIOUS LTDA TIMBER FOREST SOTREQ S.A.

BRAZIL

CHILE

CANADA

GERMANY

WAHLERS FORSTTECHNIK ÖSTERREICH FOREST POWER - SC. IF CONST S.R.L. FLEXIM SPOL. S.R.O. INTEREXPORT D.O.O.

PONSSE OYJ

OOO REMTECHNICA

EPEC OY

SPAIN

WAHLERS FORSTTECHNIK GMBH

OOO PARTS SERVIS

AUSTRIA

ROMANIA

SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA, CROATIA, SERBIA

OOO VOLOGDASCAN

FINLAND

RUSSIA

OOO PKF GIDROSERVIS

FINLAND

RUSSIA

RUSSIA RUSSIA

PONSSE AB

SWEDEN

OOO ZEPPELIN RUSLAND

PONSSE AS

NORWAY

OOO UDARNIK

KONEKESKO EESTI AS.

ESTONIA

KIA KONEKESKO LATVIJA UAB KONEKESKO LIETUVA

LATVIA LITHUANIA

RUSSIA

Northern Europe CZECH REPUBLIC

POLAND

RUSSIA

OOO NORD WEST-KOM

HUNGARY

HNOS. TOIMIL GARCÍA, S.L.

ARGENTINA

OOO DMI

IRELAND

PORTUGAL

KRENEK FOREST SERVICE S.R.O

USA

OOO LESPROMSERVIS

UNITED KINGDOM

ASCENDUM MAQUINÁS

RUSSIA

OOO DORMASHIMPORT VOSTOK

FRANCE

PONSSE UK LTD.

CANADA

MAQUINARIAS GEIER

CHINA

Central Europe and Southern Europe

RUSSIA

BELARUS

GREEN PROJECTS

SOUTH AFRICA

SHINGU SHOKO, LTD

JAPAN

RANDALLS EQUIPMENT COMPANY

AUSTRALIA

PONSSE ACCESSORIES / FILTER PACKAGES

PONSSE PEOPLE/ SERVICE MANAGER JERRY KOSKI

ITY TESTED QUAL

PONSSE Accessories The PONSSE Accessories product family comprises high-quality products designed for the use of forestry experts. The PONSSE Accessories range varies from country to country, and it includes more than 300 products. The selection of accessories includes filter packages, saw bars and chains, grapples, LED lights, assortments, feed rollers and tools. In addition to its own products, Ponsse offers a selection of products from well-known manufacturers. MODULAR FILTER PACKAGES

With a growing number of machines, options and various environmental requirements, the number of different filter models used in forest machines continues to grow. This is why Ponsse has moved to modular filter packages for the 2015 model series. The change doesn’t concern earlier model series. The Complete and Basic filter series are no longer available for the new model series. They have been replaced with new package types. The new filter packages are the engine filter package, the hydraulics filter package and the air filter package. The engine filter package includes filters needed for the Basic service. The Complete service requires all three packages. The Complete service

package is selected based on the machine serial number, engine type and air conditioner model. You can also select a filter package using the PONSSE Service Application, available from the Google Play Store and App Store. New filter packages always cover all filters in each sub-area. For example, the air filter set has all the air filters for the cabin and engine. An exception is the hydraulic filter packages, which include an AdBlue/DEF filter for Stage IV and Stage V emission machines, as these filters are usually replaced during the Complete service. If necessary, hydraulics filters can be obtained without the AdBlue/DEF filter by ordering a 3A engine version of the corresponding machine model.

The new filter sets offer a better ability to differentiate or combine the filter set needed for the maintenance of the machine. Modularity helps to optimally take into account the different operating environments of the Ponsse forest machines and the challenges such environments present.

Two decades at Ponsse Service manager Jerry Koski works in Gladstone, Michigan, at the service centre of Ponsse North America Inc, Ponsse’s subsidiary in the US. When I talk with Jerry, I can see that his colleagues and family members used just the right words to describe him: reliable, humble and loyal. Jerry is of Finnish ancestry. His father’s family shortened their name Nummikoski to Koski when they arrived in America. HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING FOR PONSSE?

I graduated as a service mechanic for heavy-duty machinery in 1987. I started my career in a transport company and soon transferred to Bark River Culvert & Equipment, which sells four-wheel forwarders. When Swedish Valmet Forestry bought the company, I gained experience of Valmet’s forest machines. It was in the late 80s when we saw the first rubber-wheeled cutto-length forest machines in this part of the world. I ran into Ponsse by accident. I used to go deer hunting with Jeff Gudwer, a good friend of mine and one of our customers. One weekend, I met Einari and Janne Vidgrén at his hunting lodge, and we spent the evening playing cards together. Einari said that he was looking for a mechanic in the region for Ponsse. I was impressed by Einari and his job offer. It meant a lot to me to be able to talk to someone like Einari (through Janne). He was down to earth in a way that you rarely find in the US. This was in November 1998, and I started working for Ponsse in February 1999. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT?

My biggest achievements are my family and my close relationships with my wife Jamie and my sons and daughters. I’m proud that my children have grown into successful, honest and responsible adults who understand the significance of work. My parents, sisters and brothers-in-law are also important to me, and I love my family more than anything else in this world. As far as work goes, my biggest achievement is that I’m part of the Ponsse team and I’m in a good position to watch how the company and its employees are growing. Close relationships with customers are also rewarding. WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My family – and especially my mother. No matter what hardships my mother has endured during her life, she’s always stayed positive. I’ve always said that if I can be even half You can read more about the PONSSE Accessories through the PONSSE Service App. The app is available for Android devices on Google Play and for iOS devices on the App Store.

as strong and positive as she’s been, I can say that I’ve succeeded in life. I’m doing my best to pass these values on to my children too. WHAT DO YOU DO DURING YOUR TIME OFF?

I enjoy spending time with my family gardening and doing this and that in our garage, going hunting, playing golf, bowling and walking our Labrador Bailey. I like to watch sports, and our local teams Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings are close to my heart. TELL US SOMETHING WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I enjoy cleaning and cooking, especially when I can cook for my family. In fact, I believe I’m a pretty good cook! WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR WORK?

Continuity and relationships, being a member of a team and working with other people. I feel that I’ve succeeded when my team members don’t just think about themselves but also help others to succeed. To me, success also means that I’ve somehow been part of the solution and learned something new from our colleagues around the world. I’m doing my best to take others into consideration, think what’s best for our team and learn from my mistakes. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL MEMORIES FROM YOUR CAREER AT PONSSE?

My best experiences are related to working with my wonderful colleagues and customers – particularly during the last ten years when our company has grown strongly and we’ve worked with the international network. This company has hundreds of people dedicated to their work and to Ponsse. Many of them were already here when I started 20 years ago. I’m really proud to be part of this crew. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO OTHER PONSSE EMPLOYEES?

Ponsse is an excellent company and the family that runs it has strong values. I’m grateful to be able to work for a company that does so much to make our daily work easier and better. Not many other companies do this. Ponsse wants to hold on to the best people, and encourage everyone to express their opinions and ideas to develop our work.

IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES reached its peak in the late 1800s and the early 1900s when many Finns, including Jerry’s grandparents, sailed across the Atlantic in the hope of finding a better life. Located by the Great Lakes, the state of Michigan is home to more Americans of Finnish ancestry than all other parts of the US combined. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is known as the Yooperland, where Americans of Finnish descent speak their own dialect, Yooper. In Yooperland, you can’t go far without running into Finnish place names or see Finnish flags and saunas in the backyards of houses.

PONSSE MOMENT PIERRE RAGNARSSON OPERATES A PONSSE SCORPION KING HARVESTER FOR SCA SKOG AB. This 100-year-old pine forest in SollefteĂĽ in northern Sweden is in the regeneration phase.

In the forestry chain, regeneration starts from regeneration felling and ends with first thinning. In Sweden, the annual regeneration felling area is approximately 200,000 hectares, with the age of trees ranging from 80 to 120 years. The logging method to be selected depends on how a forest is regenerated. This is done by planting the tree species ideal for the location using seeds or seedlings. In natural regeneration, some 50 to 150 seeds can be planted in each hectare, or existing seedlings can be used. Regardless of the regeneration method, any individual protected trees and areas must be taken into account in harvesting. More than half of Sweden is covered by forests, and more than half of all harvested trees come from regeneration sites and less than one third from thinning sites. Spruce accounts for more than half of all harvested trees, pine for one third and hardwood for the rest. Photo: Pierre Ragnarsson

SERVICES/ MIKKELI FACILITIES

MIKKELI SERVICES The tradition continues in new facilities The new service centre in Mikkeli has been designed with customer hopes in mind. Positive feedback and growing customer numbers are signs of trust and motivate the team to move forward. Customers’ machines can be returned to productive work quickly and as agreed with the team’s collective expertise, diligence and extra effort – that famous Ponsse spirit.

onsse, preparing for its 50th anniversary, is also celebrating work in Mikkeli: a new stateof-the-art service centre opened its doors in February, and the Mikkeli service will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. These are the third facilities in Mikkeli. As the number of machines and customer needs has increased, facilities have been moved to enable better service. Having started as a one-man service 30 years ago, it has grown into a service centre with 13 professionals. “Satisfied feedback from customers indicates that by investing in Mikkeli, Ponsse is sending a strong message that it believes in the future of logging in South Savo. It feels really good, because customers are why we do this job,” says Ville Kautonen, District Sales Manager for South-Eastern Finland.

“The service centre can have everything done at once, with the necessary parts and service in one place. The customer can quickly have their machine back in productive work,” Mikkeli service supervisor Marko Turunen promises.

EVERYTHING FIXED IN ONE GO

The Mikkeli service facility has space for three machines, as well as a separate washing area. The maintenance hall has a high ceiling, and it’s functional and spacious. The versatile spare parts store not only offers spare parts but a wide selection of forest machine accessories and tools. Comfortable customer facilities are also part of the centre.

“We can be the best when everyone pulls together,” says district sales manager Ville Kautonen.

Service supervisor Marko Turunen and spare parts salesman Marko Sopanen serve customers in Mikkeli.

Ville Kautonen has been part of the Ponsse team for a long time, starting as a service technician and moving on to spare parts sales, and then to machine sales. Although tasks have changed, one thing remains: the importance of aftersales services for the customer. When a machine entrepreneur considers maintenance support performance, Ponsse is in a strong position. “High-quality service is where Ponsse is unbeatable when a customer is making a machine purchase decision. For us in services, the best customer experience is a satisfied customer succeeding in their business with the help of Ponsse machines and services,” says Ville, who was selected as the customer service person of the year in 2011 and 2016 based on customer feedback.

condition and more productive. A service agreement customer will know the fixed maintenance cost immediately on the conclusion of the agreement, so it is easy for them to anticipate the basic maintenance costs of the machine up to a certain number of hours.” Another benefit of a service agreement is that the machine is serviced according to the hours of operation instead of just at the busiest peak times. Ville also notes that at Ponsse, the service agreement is available for machines of all ages, for example, a used machine with 10,000 hours on the clock. “Ponsse customers always know what they’re getting and how much they’re going to pay for it. The content of the service agreement is carefully reviewed with a new customer, and can also be tailored to the customer’s needs.”

SERVICE AGREEMENTS BOOMING

OUR SERVICE CAN ALSO HANDLE

Part of Ville’s current job is negotiating service agreements with entrepreneurs, whose number has indeed grown in his area. The benefits are so clear that a customer who has previously had an agreement almost always re-enters an agreement when replacing the machine with a new or used machine. “Proactive and regular maintenance helps in keeping the machine in a better

next, if required. We are quick to react to customer needs.” The biggest change, however, is the increasing shift of machine information system maintenance to the service centre. A modern harvester is impossible to use without a functional information system. “Ponsse has invested in the availability of service assistance, because operators often have questions about the information systems. In addition, service can remotely resolve issues with, for example, the customer’s system settings,” Ville and Marko say. The machine-specific electronic spare parts manual has also received a lot of praise. For example, an entrepreneur can look at the structure of his own machine, and he can see the availability of parts by location.

THE SPIRIT OF WORKING TOGETHER IS INFECTIOUS

In telling the history of the Mikkeli service, Marko mentions Seppo Kinnunen, who has worked at Mikkeli since the establishment of the facilities. As the operations have expanded, many younger people have been recruited as Seppo’s and the other veterans’ companions. “What’s interesting is that the spirit of working together is quickly adopted by new employees. This is work that includes everyone. Everyone needs help, and we can be the best when everyone pulls together,” Ville Kautonen and Marko Turunen conclude. In terms of logistics, the location of the new Mikkeli service facilities is the best possible. It’s easy to access even with large machines.

INFORMATION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Marko Turunen explains that service has developed from fixes requiring machine stand-by to proactive maintenance. Service activities in the forest have diminished, and service is now increasingly concentrated in service centres. “Of course, we have two well-equipped service vehicles in Mikkeli, and we can get our service technician into the forest on the same day, or at the latest the

PONSSE/ WOMEN IN THE FOREST MACHINE INDUSTRY

Forest machine operator Synne Henriksen and Ponsse in a challenging environment

“You have to trust the machine as well as yourself”

It’s a steep climb as Synne Henriksen drives timber up the mountain. She’s calm and determined in her work with the new PONSSE Elephant King, which was purchased by her company last summer.

“I

like the variety and continuous challenges of this work,” says Synne, who also operates the PONSSE Scorpion King harvester. Synne Henriksen lives in Hallingby north of Oslo, Norway. Working in forestry wasn’t an obvious choice for her. However, in her teens, she already had an idea of the field she would specialise in. “I wasn’t interested in the popular local hobbies of football and handball. Instead, I went to talk to a local farmer and asked him if I could help on the farm. I got work, and it was also the place where I got to do forestry work for the first time.” Synne got to try operating a forest machine when she was 14, and the desire to do more of it has remained ever since. A future as a forest machine operator was interesting, so studies in the field were a given. After completing two-year forest-centred training at Kongsberg Vocational Upper Secondary School, Synne began working for a rural business with a diverse focus that included forestry, firewood trade and hunting. When the company ceased its forest machine service, Synne moved to Ringerike Skogsdrift. That’s where she still is. “This suits me very well. I can work locally, usually within a few dozen kilometres of Hallingby.” FROM GREY TO YELLOW

Ponsse has remained a common yellow thread in Synne’s forest career. The first forest machine Synne operated was a Ponsse, but it was so old it was grey instead of yellow. Her connection with Ponsse continued through her upper secondary school years, although the school had machines of other colours as well. After she started to work at Ringerike Skogsdrift, Ponsse’s dominance was clear. “I liked Ponsse from the very first meeting, and it’s great that the acquaintance has continued,” she says. VALUABLE EDUCATION

Synne is glad she chose forestry. Because Synne didn’t grow up in a forestryrelated environment, she has had to invest in building a network. “I really enjoyed school, and in addition to forestry and machinery, I received an education in hunting, fishing, tourism and more. Those of us who were interested in machines got a lot of time to practise, both in the forest and on simulators. I had to ask around quite a lot for work, but I didn’t consider it an obstacle. There are lots of employment possibilities in this field.” At her vocational upper secondary school, Synne was the only girl who chose to specialise in forest machines. “It’s a shame so few women are interested in forest machines, because this work is very well suited for us, too. It feels like it’s difficult for women to break the norms. They often keep together and follow each other in the same direction. I believe many more would find the work of a forest machine operator interesting if they just tried it and gave it a chance. It’s an amazing job in terms of both the work environment and the challenges it presents.”

PONSSE / WOMEN IN THE FOREST MACHINE INDUSTRY

Synne is happy to take responsibility in her work. “I grew up as the third of six children in my family, which taught me interaction. We weren’t always able to agree on things. Likewise, there are times when the machine and I don’t agree, but we generally understand each other. Sometimes I also negotiate with myself in the cabin,” says Synne with a laugh. SWEET FREEDOM

Synne appreciates the independence of her work, and the responsible freedom it offers suits her well. She seems competitive, though for her, the arena is the forest and her team mate is the forest machine. “I want to feel I’m doing a good job. I like challenges, and there are plenty of them in the forests. The terrain here is undulating, so you need to know the terrain, the machine and yourself well.” USEFUL CHANGES

Last summer, Synne was faced with change as she climbed into the cabin of the new Elephant King with Active Frame and Active Crane. “Because of the balancing of the cabin, the tilt of the machine must be carefully monitored. On the other hand, technology improves the working environment, and on the hillsides, it can really come into its own. The Active Crane technology makes work easier and more relaxed, while increasing productivity”, Synne says. The symbiosis between human and machine is important for Synne. It is part of the whole needed to achieve a good result in the work. When work is going smoothly, you get the feeling this will be a very good day. “Regardless of whether I'm operating a harvester or a forwarder, I want to see the results of my work. It’s a great feeling to see the work progress as the felling site is cleared when the timber is loaded onto the forwarder.” Synne is glad she gets to operate both the harvester and the forwarder.

“Operating the harvester is more fun, but I appreciate the fact that I get to do both. It brings more variety and I can also develop myself in different areas. In this kind of terrain, you really get to know the machines, and it brings new dimensions to the work,” she says.

Ponsse Lady Therese Pripp

THINNING AND FINAL FELLING

Ringerike Skogsdrift has a total of five machines, all of which are from Ponsse. The company has two Buffalo forwarders, one Elephant King forwarder and two Scorpion King harvesters, one of which has the H6 harvester head, and the other the H7 harvester head. The machine equipped with the H7 harvester head is used for final felling, and the one with the H6 harvester head is also used for thinning. Of the forwarders, the Elephant King is only used for final felling. Synne thinks it’s a great advantage that both harvesters are Scorpions. “They work very well in undulating terrain. They’re extremely stable, which is sorely needed in these conditions. It’s also very good that the crane is located in the centre, on top of the rotating cabin. Thanks to this, my own position is always optimal, and I can work on a bigger area, without having to change the machine. This makes the work go smoothly,” she notes. “The Elephant King forwarder also handles really well on difficult terrain. It’s sure to reach the destination, and you don’t feel insecure at all while driving, even when carrying a full load on demanding terrain.” NEW CHALLENGES

Early in her career, Synne often asked her co-workers for tips. With time, however, she has become more independent. Thanks to the experience and knowledge she has gained, she has been given more demanding tasks. Synne feels that the company management has strong trust in her. She has been given more challenging tasks and at the same time, opportunities for further development. “I’ve also received a lot of support from Ponsse employees. They always do their best if I have something to ask or if i need help.” Forests and machines are important subjects of interest for Synne. That’s fortunate, because there’s not much time to do anything else at the moment. “I like my work, and I try to get to do as much of it as I can. Maybe I work too much sometimes, but I really enjoy being in the forest and around machines. ” What would Synne have done if it weren’t for the forest machines? Synne has to think for a while before answering. “Do you mean what I would do without the forests? In that case, I’d have gone to the construction industry to operate wheel loaders, but of course this is much better,” she says.

Ponsse Lady Therese Pripp has plenty of variety in her life as a mother, a veterinary nurse, and living with a forest machine contractor who is as active and competitive as she is. And this is exactly how she wants to live. “Otherwise I’d get bored,” Therese says with a laugh as her son Viggo looks on curiously under a Ponsse cap that’s too large for him.

herese Pripp likes challenges, organising things and an active life. Life has to have speed and competition, whether it’s horse-riding, running, biking, swimming or skiing. Therese has been interested in horses since she was little, and there is plenty of space for them on her home farm in Gulatorp, Sweden. In addition to Therese and her spouse Ronny Bengtsson, the family includes Viggo, born in February, as well as Ronny’s children Wilma, 12, and Benjamin, 9. FOREST MACHINE DATING

“Our first date was in a forest machine. Ronny didn’t have time to go to restaurant, so I accompanied him in his machine. That’s where I fell for both him and the machines.” Both Therese and Ronny like to be outdoors. Therese finds it interesting to learn new things about forestry, and she is completely fascinated by forestry machines. “Yes, I have tried operating one, and I want to again.”

PONSSE LADIES

With his father and brother, Ronny runs UGB Skogsservice, which has a significant number of yellow-and-black machines in its inventory. That’s how Therese has got to know the Ponsse Ladies club, which was started 15 years ago in Finland and came to Sweden in 2012. Its purpose is to bring together women who are members of the Ponsse family in one way or another – either through work, or as spouses of forest machine operators or service providers. “It’s both fun and rewarding that Ponsse gives us women something extra. Ponsse Ladies offers us the opportunity to meet each other on the basis of our interests, as well as to go shopping and spend time together. Which is nice.” IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES

“It’s a very male-dominated industry. Trade fairs are usually full of men talking about machines. This will certainly be the case for many years to come,

Ponsse was her first contact with forest machines. Today, she operates both harvesters and forwarders – mostly the Scorpion King and the Elephant King.

PONSSE/ WOMEN IN THE FOREST MACHINE INDUSTRY

FOREST ENCOUNTERS “Otherwise there are always phone s about Viggo has also been taken into the Ponsse calls or issues that need attention. The Ponsse Ladies ha eden. family. When he was just 11 months old, same is certainly true for most forest 90 members in Sw e and has he joined his father in the PONSSE Ergo contractors,” says Therese. Membership is fre no obligations. harvester in a baby carrier attached to the “There are also benefits to being re cabin. Viggo enjoyed the ride, and the video an entrepreneur, as Ronny is freer mo Read m .co of it got many likes on Ponsse Sweden’s to choose his working hours compared se ns po at www. Facebook page. The video was posted to many other work places. It’s worthwhile on 30 April, and it soon became a hit. After four for the entrepreneur to recognise the benefits months, the video had 35,000 views. and take advantage of them,” Therese notes. Both Therese and Viggo often get to spend time with UBS Skogsservice’s line-up also includes the Ronny in the forest machine. unique Ponsse Dolphin, a barge painted in the Ponsse colours. “He works a lot, so if we really miss him, we go The barge is used to transport machines and timber when to the forest to see him.” the felling site is on an island. The best way for the couple to spend time together “I can easily understand that he values working in nature. is on a trip abroad. It really is a great work environment,” says Therese.

RONNY BENGTSSON, UGB SKOGSSERVICE

“The barge has become an important addition”

Therese, Ronny, Viggo and the Scorpion. The forest has become a gathering place for the family because of the hours spent together on the machine.

although the number of female machine operators and service technicians is constantly increasing. So, activities specifically for us women are needed.” “Besides, most of the forest machines are owned by family businesses, and women are certainly more involved in decision making than many people believe.” Therese thinks that parental leave is a great opportunity to participate in the Ponsse Ladies meetings. “It would be nice if I could offer horse-related activities through Ponsse Ladies. Or set up a running or skiing team together.”

EVERYTHING BEGAN WITH HORSES

European and world championships. He has also participated in the Ironman, Vasaloppet and Vätternrundan competitions. “We also enjoy doing sports when it’s just the two of us. Of course, we compete with each other as well. Now, of course, there’s less time because of little Viggo, but otherwise our Friday fun has been to challenge each other at planking, push-ups and sit-ups,” says Therese with a laugh. Therese’s next big goal is En Svensk Klassiker, which consists of the Lidingöloppet running race, the Vasaloppet or Engelbrektsloppet skiing race and the Vätternrunda cycling race, which must be completed within 12 months.

Therese seems to have a fair share of physical hobbies. She appears to have a special ability to make the hours of the day last longer. “Everything began with horses. First, I had an Icelandic horse with my mother. Then there was a pony which I took part in a lot of competitions with. Now I have two Swedish warmbloods – a mother and daughter. Over the years, I’ve competed in eventing and track jumping. Running is the next best thing after horses and horse-riding.” Therese enjoys participating in various running and sporting competitions, often with Ronny. The competitive Ronny is a top-level motocross driver with many national,

Therese works in Ronny’s company in technical support and in accounting at the home office. “He’s not terribly interested in computers, so it’s better that he operates the machines and I help with everything to do with information technology.” “I like to do accounting too, but I also want to continue as a veterinary nurse. I took care of horses for 13 years, but two years ago I moved to the Hässleholm small animal clinic,” says Therese, who also has experience in the restaurant business.

THEIR OWN SUPPORT

Company: UGB Skogsservice, Hässleholm.

Number of employees: Nine.

Owners: Gert, Ronny and Robert Bengtsson.

Yearly felling amount 115,000 m3 (barkless solid cubic metres).

History: Cousins Gert and Ulf Bengtsson founded the company in 1980. Both were working as welders, but they wanted to move into forestry. Initially, the trees were felled by hand, and the timber was transported by tractor and trailer. Ulf left the company, and Gert’s brother Mats Bengtsson took his position. Mats died in an accident at work in 1994. Gert’s son Ronny Bengtsson, who was then 16, became the company’s other owner straight out of secondary school. The company’s equipment consisted of a two-grip harvester and a forwarder.

Machinery: One Scorpion harvester with the H6 harvester head, one Ergo harvester with the H7 harvester head, two Buffalo forwarders, one Elk forwarder, one Elephant King forwarder and an additional forwarder. In addition to these, the Ponsse Dolphin barge for felling on islands.

“We had a two-grip harvester for a really long time. My father hesitated to buy a single-grip harvester, because our felling sites had large trees. We bought our first single-grip harvester, the 1999 PONSSE Ergo, in 2004. The machine worked very well, so later we bought more Ergos and other PONSSE machines,” says Ronny.

Latest purchase: The Elephant King forwarder. Next purchases: One Ergo harvester with the H8 harvester head (replacing the current Ergo) in January. One Elk forwarder (replacing the older Buffalo) in April. Most important things at work: “Comfort, solving problems and developing as a team.”

Operations: Final felling and thinning, with an emphasis on final felling. Specialisation: Felling on islands. A used barge was acquired in 2017. The barge’s own weight is 25 tonnes and its maximum capacity is 50 tonnes. “After testing the barge in a couple of assignments, we concluded that the jobs requiring a barge were a nice addition to our range. For these jobs, we usually use two forwarders. When one forwarder is loading timber on the island, the other is being transported on the barge for unloading. The operator of the forwarder also operates the barge.” The barge’s name, the Dolphin, came up in a sauna during a trip to Finland organised by Ponsse. Of course, it had to be painted yellow and black.

NEW PONSSE FACTORY/ ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FACTORY

The solar energy produced is the equivalent of the yearly electricity consumption of 10 separate houses

Produces quality and offers good work conditions

he Vieremä forest machine factory has invested in environmentally friendly and sustainable operations. The ergonomic working environment, production flexibility, occupational safety and increased productivity at the factory’s production facilities have guided operations in a more responsible direction. INTERNAL LOGISTICS WITH AUTOMATION

Seamless operation of warehouse functions and internal logistics is essential for the manufacture of forest

machines. The automated warehouse and renewed internal logistics, which have been in operation for eighteen months, have been refined and developed to meet production needs. The warehouse automation covers 15,600 storage slots and 3,700 pallet positions. Parts collected by the warehouse automation are delivered by rail to each workstation for different production stages. Two million material rows have already been delivered to production from the new warehouse. BREAKING ENERGY REUSE IN WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION

As the warehouse automation retrieves components from the shelves, braking energy is generated, which is reused in the next movement of the automatic picking. In addition, the warehouse system determines which items are often needed in production and puts them on shelves that are at an economical distance in terms of energy consumption.

point to another. The wagon is powered from the floor – a technique similar to that used in induction cookers. The new trolley system is maintenance-free and does not require time to charge batteries. The automated guided trolleys are tailor-made for Ponsse’s operations and are designed with great emphasis on occupational safety and ergonomics. RENEWABLE ENERGY

Special attention has been paid to energy efficiency at the factory. There is a solar power station on the roof of the factory with 640 solar panels covering an area of 1,046 square metres. The power station has a capacity of 192 kW, which is equivalent to the annual electricity needs of ten homes. The roof surfaces of the factory also produce energy savings. The Noxite roofing material, with sunlight, wind and rainwater, neutralises hazardous nitrogen oxide caused by traffic and industrial operations. It also reduces the need for cooling during the summer, saving energy at the same time.

Subcontractors pack their products in well-defined packaging, the material and shape of which depend on where the product comes from, how sensitive it is to damage, how it is transported, and how it is handled in the factory’s internal logistics process. Sorting of energy fractions is already done at the goods reception stage. Plastics, dirty paper and board, wood packaging, styrofoam, paper towels and textiles are recycled for energy production. The energy fraction is non-recyclable waste, used to make fuel for co-incineration plants to replace fossil fuels. Recycled cardboard is collected in cardboard presses at reception, where empty cardboard boxes and packages

are flattened. The cardboard press of the warehouse compresses the cardboard into bales, which take up less space and make handling easier. Freight transport between suppliers and Ponsse makes use of “rotating packages”, which can be used numerous times. Rotating packages include plywood packages, transport bases, steel racks, wooden pallets and collars, and plastic boxes. Packaging materials are reused until packaging is found to be defective, and it is not economically viable to repair. Pallets are reused, and damaged pallets are repaired where possible. If wood waste is produced, it is delivered to a local heating plant for bioenergy production.

WATER IS RECYCLED AT THE WASHING STATION

All prefabricated products to be painted are washed before painting. In a paint shop, the water circulates in a closed loop, which means that the same water is used several times. Fresh water is taken as the second rinse water of the washing machine, from where it passes through the overflow pipe to the first rinse water of the washing machine. From the machine’s first rinse water, water is pumped into the main wash water, and washing chemicals are added. Thus, the water is used multiple times, which saves water reserves.

Good work ergonomics and proper lighting have a great impact on safety at work.

ERGONOMICS FIRST ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE

The assembly line trolley system has worked as expected: the trolleys move the machine being produced on the line from one assembly

WASTE SEPARATION

The volume of materials arriving at the factory is significant: a total of 1,500 delivery rows from subcontractors is received daily to the assembly and parts manufacturing warehouse. Active radio ear protection protects hearing and makes smooth communication possible.

PONSSE WORLDWIDE / ST PETERSBURG TRAINING CENTRE

A GROWING MARKET NEEDS TRAINING

PONSSE OPENED A NEW TRAINING CENTRE IN ST PETERSBURG Ponsse’s Russian subsidiary OOO Ponsse opened a new training and service centre in Gorelovo, St Petersburg. The 1,500 square meter training centre, costing about 3 million euros, is one of the largest investments in the company’s history in Russia.

he new training centre is the flagship of OOO Ponsse’s training network, featuring the best training equipment and skills in the industry. Jaakko Laurila, managing director of OOO Ponsse, says that the company is a pioneer in the development of training services.

“We want to offer the best training services in this industry. This new training centre is exceptional in terms of its quality and training content. High-quality training services give us a significant competitive edge and enable us to increase our market share,” Laurila says.

The new training and service centre in St Petersburg features all PONSSE simulator models for operator training and a test track for practical training. Mechanics are trained in service facilities that have room for three forest machines at the same time.

In just over ten years, large parts of Russia have shifted from tree-length harvesting to the more efficient and ecofriendlier cut-to-length (CTL) method. Currently, Russia is the world’s largest forest machine market. This can be seen not only through increased forest machine sales, but also as a growing need for training and maintenance services. Russia offers no official training for forest machine operators or mechanics, which strengthens the importance of Ponsse’s training range even more. Studies have shown that high professional skills of operators play an important part in terms of productivity. Ponsse’s subsidiary in Russia was established in 2005, and nearly ever since, the company has worked with educational institutions in the field of forestry. Currently, Ponsse’s training network comprises, in addition to the new unit opened in St Petersburg, a training and service centre in Pitkyaranta and 17 training units that work in cooperation with vocational and higher-level educational institutions in different parts of Russia and Belarus. The highly advanced training range covers not only operator and mechanic training, but also training programmes for the management of the harvesting process, productive harvesting and thinning. The training range has been designed for Ponsse’s operators, mechanics and customers, the PONSSE network’s dealers and personnel, as well

as teachers of educational institutions in the field of forestry. The duration of training periods spans from a few days to one month. Development manager Nikolai Chernutskii is in charge of OOO Ponsse’s training services. OOO Ponsse has 120 employees in Russia, as well as an extensive dealer network which enables nationwide operations. Approximately 2,000 PONSSE forest machines operate in Russia. The company has service centres in St Petersburg, Pitkyaranta, Segezha, Tikhvin and Tomsk.

Juha Vidgrén, Chairman of the Board, Juho Nummela, President and CEO, and Jaakko Laurila, OOO Ponsse’s Managing Director, at the opening.

The first person to drive on the test track was Juho Nummela, the President and CEO of the group.

LOGGING NEWS / 2019

LOGGING NEWS Victory in the PONSSE competition for mechanics for Facundo Leal of Uruguay

CORNER

PONSSE service network service mechanics from 13 different countries took part in the annual competition for mechanics. The other top-three positions went to Russia. Andrey Izyurov came in second place. He works as a service mechanic at OOO Lespromservis, a Ponsse dealer in Komi. Third place went to Nikolay Kovalenko from Ponsse’s subsidiary OOO Ponsse. The winner Facundo Leal said that the competition tasks were extremely difficult, especially the installation tasks. “Victory is an incredible feeling, definitely one of the best experiences of my life! The competition was a completely new experience for me, and it was great to share it with other PONSSE mechanics from around the world,” says Leal of his experience. “The purpose of this vocational skills competition is to raise the profile of this important profession. Nowadays, the work of mechanics is extremely varied. They have to be skilled in mechanics, hydraulics and IT,” says Ponsse Global Service Manager Terho Tanskanen, who is responsible for the competition.

Loadbearing forwarder PONSSE Dino 1969 “Couldn’t we build our own machine, a durable one?” asked Einari Vidgrén of his own contractor business’s service manager, Erkki Tarvaiselle. Erkki agreed, and so they started to design a new machine, which was drawn up and designed in the autumn of 1968. Kauko Väisänen, the husband of Einari’s sister, and a skilled local blacksmith, let them use his forge. It was there, in the ordinary village forge, that their first “forest machine factory” was established. The sounds of banging and clanging iron and welding noises could be heard from morning to night from the village forge. Absolute expertise in welding was represented by Lauri Uuksunen. The days were filled with planning and building different alternatives. The axles were taken from an old wheel loader. A powerful engine was attached to the frame, with a Wärtsilä loader on top. The villagers were eager to see how the work was going, and seeing the machine they wondered, “What kind of a ‘Ponsse’ is that going to be?”

“Couldn't we build our own machine, a durable one?”

Facundo Leal’s strong expertise could be seen in his calm and confident actions – even when the schedule was tight.

Epec Oy moves forward with a new operational model Epec answers business growth by renewing its organisation. The change is driven by a strong company renewal and the determination to be the most innovative, reliable and agile partner for machine builders. “The company’s growth and future growth targets require a new way to organise our operations to ensure our new

“Now it even has a name. It’s going to be a Ponsse”, laughed Einari. Ponsse was the name of a ugly mixedbreed hunting dog roaming around the village. In spite of its crude appearance, it was an excellent partner in the forest. After months of hard work, in the late winter of 1969, a grey – and many thought ugly – load-bearing forest tractor was driven out of the village forge. It was the first Ponsse. It was put into use at Tehdaspuu’s logging site. After a year of operation, the people from Tehdaspuu called and said: “Why don’t you make more of these forest tractors? It has hauled twenty-five thousand five hundred cubic meters of piled wood, and it has needed the least servicing.” This is how the unique and successful story of the Ponsse forest machine company began. Ponsse was officially established in 1970, so we’re heading towards our anniversary.

projects and business models will be as smooth as possible. We need to be able to be the most innovative expert in the highly competitive mechanical engineering field for the chosen specialist areas. Epec has absolute top expertise in the field. We are now looking for the best operating methods for the future to make full use of our expertise for the successful execution of projects,” says Jyri Kylä-Kaila, the managing director of Epec. Cooperation with the parent company Ponsse has also been enhanced. Large-scale cooperation projects concern future technologies related to forest machine electrification and control systems. Epec employs more than 120 people in Seinäjoki, Tampere, Turku and Shanghai, China. Epec Oy has been part of Ponsse Group since 2004. Epec is investing strongly in the technologies of the future, such as autonomous working machines, assistance systems and electric mobility.

LOGGING NEWS / 2019

LOGGING NEWS Lego engineers know the principles of mechanical engineering Designers from product development start to gather around the forest machines weighing in at around 5 kilograms as soon as word about the visiting “Lego engineers” spreads around the Ponsse factory in Vieremä. The PONSSE forest machines build by Tuomas (11) and Jesse (16) Pyykkönen from Pudasjärvi make a clear impression. As the Lego Ponsse machines move and function as their real-life counterparts, the boys get numerous questions about their technical implementation. The boys have designed and built the models from scratch, which is an exceptional feat compared to building readymade Lego sets. Based on videos and technical specification found online, Tuomas and Jesse have designed the models themselves, from the machines’ transmissions to the springdampened frames. On a tour of the factory, the boys stop from time to time to ask mechanics and designers how a particular

Aside from being clever, building the Lego machines has also required perseverance, which the boys don’t seem to lack either. They get to practise on their long journey to school. Jesse, who goes to Pudasjärvi upper secondary school, has a 60 km journey to school, and for the 5th grader Tuomas, it’s 40 km. Neither complains about the distance. On the contrary, the boys think that it’s a good time to do their homework and chat with their friends. Tuomas and Jesse haven’t only been concentrating on PONSSE models – they also build other machines and vehicles. The readymade sets didn’t give them enough of a challenge. The powerline and suspension solutions designed by the boys are clearly more advanced than in the readymade Technic sets. “Building is a shared hobby, but we also do lots of other things with our family. We live in Syöte and spend our free time on the slopes in the winter, and mountain biking and hiking in the summer. We have time to build when it’s raining outside,” the boys say.

technical detail of the forest machine has been implemented. They have carefully studied the pictures and videos. The boys can identify almost all the components at the factory, and they are able to conclude which machine models the components belong to. It is easy to predict study and work careers in technology for technically talented young people.

Interexport d.o.o. started as a Ponsse dealer in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia Ponsse is strengthening its after-sales support in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia. Interexport offers extensive maintenance services in these countries and has strong experience in service provision for work machine clients. In addition to Ponsse, the company represents international manufacturers of agricultural machinery. “Interexport is a reliable operator that offers great customer support both in sales and services. Good customer support has always been of primary importance to Ponsse, and it’s also why Interexport has been so successful”, says Gary Glendinning, Ponsse Plc’s Area Director. In addition to maintenance service centres, Interexport uses well-equipped service vehicles to serve its customers.

Thanks to its stabilisation, the cabin of the PONSSE Scorpion doesn’t sway when going over obstacles even on the Lego model. The Scorpion is the handiwork of the 11-year-old Tuomas. “I thought about this with my big brother, and I’ve been building it for a year,” Tuomas says. His 16-year-old big brother Jesse has had a couple of weeks to build the PONSSE Elephant King forwarder. Even in its unfinished state, it’s an impressive machine. If the grapple’s reach isn't enough, the extension comes out and work can continue. After passing field tests, the H7 harvester head of the Scorpion feeds logs easily through the grapple. The twisting frame structure is rotated by rigid working cylinders, with a screw mechanism hidden inside. The machines are controlled with self-made remote controllers. Launched in 2013, the Scorpion was a big step forward in forest machine design. It may well be that in a few years Tuomas and Jesse will be designing the next generation of PONSSE forest machines.

Since the company's foundation in 1957, Interexport has had the goal of being the most reliable partner in the business. “We’ve always followed this principle in our operations, and this is the most important reason we’ve achieved a solid market share in our areas of operation. As an importer and supplier of after-sales service, we represent the best brands in farming (Fendt, Valtra, Amazone, Strautmann) and now also the best brand in forest machinery,” says Borut Ugrin, who is in charge of the company’s Ponsse services. Interexport offers a comprehensive service to agricultural and forestry companies of all sizes, as well as to municipal operators. The company’s head office in Komenda, Slovenia, also provides training and technical support services. In October 2019, Interexport will open new, modern premises in Slovenska Bistrica in eastern Slovenia to expand its service offering.

LOGGING NEWS / 2019

Almost all forests in Scotland are Sitka spruce originating in North America. The planted spruce forests are dense, dark and difficult to traverse. The planting of trees has increased the area covered by forests to 19 per cent.

Forestry Expo Scotland 2019 was a unique forest industry event that consisted of a large felling show and trade fair. This year, it was organised in Little Clyde in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The event brought together 3,000 forestry experts. Ponsse participated in the event with 19 forest machines. The new machines attracted a lot of interest and a large number of guests followed the felling demonstrations. During the demonstration days, 6,000 m3, or about 250 truck loads of wood, were harvested as raw material for the local forest industry. The most popular PONSSE forest machines in United Kingdom are the PONSSE Ergo and the PONSSE Buffalo, because of their capacity and size class. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s machine stock includes 360 PONSSE forest machines, with PONSSE UK Ltd taking care of the related services. The company, based in Annan, Scotland, currently employs 26 people.

LOGGING NEWS / 2019

LOGGING NEWS

4 5 5 1

Maarit trains future forest machine operators

4 5 5

6 3

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH MOTIVATION

The popularity of adult education is growing. About 20 students applied for the course starting in the autumn, and a group of ten students was selected to start the operator studies. “It’s important that the interviews enable us to select students who are motivated and suitable for the field. The operator’s job is demanding, and education is expensive, so resources are focused on those most likely to stay in the industry,” says Järvinen. After interviews and aptitude assessments were introduced a few years ago, there have only been a few drop-outs. A student’s motivation will further increase when his or her career choices are thoroughly reviewed. Järvinen thinks that it would be good if smaller groups could be taken in a couple of times a year. The individual study paths required by the new national curriculum would then be more effective. LEARNING THROUGH RESPONSIBILITY

Students are given responsibility as their studies progress. Before entering on-the-job training, the morning shift departs for the logging site on its own, and the evening shift returns from the day’s work without the guidance of a teacher. The teacher visits the site around the change of shifts. However, students always have the opportunity to contact their teacher over the phone. “In this way, the students learn to work responsibly. Responsibility and making your own decisions become clearer when the teacher is not standing behind you,” Järvinen says in summing it up. The last six months of the training is full-time work, and the school will help the student find a placement if needed. The teachers will inform the workplace of the trainees’ strengths and the areas that require additional training. The trainee, on the other hand, will be told what kind of company he or she will be working at, and the kind of practices they have.

3 4

4 2

7 6

MARKETING INCLUDES EVERYONE

1 1

4 6

6 According to Järvinen, the students’ interest in the field is partly influenced by student counsellors’ narrow knowledge of the forest sector. Teachers and logging entrepreneurs should be included in marketing. “The pull of the educational sector is not enough when students are searching for their life careers. Through their own example, the people representing the actual working life could tell them how nice and rewarding their work is,” Järvinen ponders. Järvinen has inspired other teachers in marketing the operator training. Social media activity and contact with the local press play an important role. “I notify the press if we have something interesting coming up. We’ve focused marketing on Eastern Finland, which has strong traditions in agriculture and forestry. There, we can find good student material with experience of working with machines,” says Järvinen. There are about two thousand forest machine companies in Finland and about 6,500 forest machine operators. There is an occasional shortage of skilled labour, even though some 400 new forest machine operators are recruited each year. The Ministry of Education and Culture has issued a licence to provide training for forest machine operators to 12 educational institutions.

6 6

1 6

1 7

7 5

“Open conversation and honest exchange of information have minimised the number of disappointments,” says Järvinen.

“It’s important that the interviews enable us to select students who are motivated and suitable for the field,” says Maarit Järvinen.

You only need some coloured pencils or crayons.

3 Maarit Järvinen, a teacher at the vocational education institution WinNova, has extensive knowledge of forests and nature. In addition to having a degree in forestry engineering, Järvinen is a certified wilderness and nature guide, and has also studied environmental sciences. She started as a teacher in the nature unit in 2004, and moved to the forest unit in Kullaa in 2012. Currently, Maarit leads a team responsible for adult education for forest machine operators. The three-year studies for a forest machine operator’s diploma have been condensed into two years of multiform adult education. This means that the student is responsible for a significant part of the tasks and knowledge acquisition. For a long time, the forest machine industry hasn’t only been the realm of men. Almost without exception, every course includes a few women, even mothers and daughters.

4 3

1 1

6 7

7 7

COLOURING EXERCISE

Metsä tykkäälikes huolenpidosta, ihan niinof, kuin melike ihmisetkin. Vastuullisesti The forest to be taken care just us humans. The forests

Colour the picture according to the numbers.

grows better when the trees have more light and nutrients. viihtyvät metsässä.

hoidetun metsän tuottavuus paranee ja arvotrees, säilyy.for Myös eläimetThe ja kasvit are looked after by cutting away some example. forest

Send your coloured picture to Ponsse Plc, Ponssentie 22, FI-74200 Vieremä, Finland, or scan your picture and send it to ponssenews@ponsse.com by the end of November. Remember to include your contact details! Three lucky artists will win a prize. The PONSSE KIDS 1/2019 winners are: Okko Häkkinen, Virtasalmi, Finland; Olivia Navasquez, Malpas, France; Kaisa Korhonen, Savikylä, Finland.

MEN’S SWEATER JACKET 1385, SIZES S–4XL, €95 WOMEN’S SWEATER JACKET 1385, SIZES 34–46, €95 A stylish high-end sweater jacket made of soft, elastic and lightly brushed jersey fabric. Lasercut zipped side pockets and laser-cut venting in the armpits. Material 100% polyester.

MEN’S FLEECE JACKET 1436, SIZES S–4XL, €40 WOMEN’S FLEECE JACKET 1435, SIZES 34–46, €40 Warm and soft fleece jacket for leisure or as an intermediate layer under a shell jacket. Full-length front zip, high collar and zipped pockets at the sides. Anti-pilling treatment. Elastic hem and cuffs. Elegant forest pattern on the left chest with a Ponsse logo.

PONSSE COLLECTION Top products for the season

Material 100% polyester

WOMEN’S HALF ZIP SWEATER 1383, SIZES 34–46, €60.

MEN’S HALF ZIP SWEATER 1382, SIZES S–4XL, €60

The long-sleeved sweater with a short zip is made of a very soft and comfortable polyester material that transfers moisture from the skin. The front has a short YKK zip with a skin guard. Raglan sleeves ensure good movement. The product is ideal for use as an intermediate layer under a shell jacket or as an outer jacket in warm weather. Small zippered chest pocket for keys and cards. Material 100% CB DryTec polyester.

A MULTITALENT IN ALL HARVESTING METHODS

THE NEW PONSSE Cobra is a versatile and powerful partner for harvesting in varying conditions. Thanks to its adaptability, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equally at home on first thinning and regeneration felling sites. Thanks to its powerful but fuel-efficient power line and hydraulics, the Cobra's power won't run out even in the toughest of situations. Versatility is enhanced by the wide range of accessories that allow the Cobra to adapt to different felling and working methods. The technical solutions of the

new machine are built on reliable basic technology.