Sawing is the heart of the Versowood Group
Long-term and determined work has elevated Versowood, which started with sawing, to become Finland’s largest private wood processing group. In addition to high-quality products, the group provides jobs and well-being to the people and communities in its operating areas.
The sawmill, which sawed its first logs in 1946 and was later named Vierumäen Teollisuus, was acquired by the Kopra family on January 1, 1990. The economic boom had just reached its peak, and Finland’s economy began to plunge rapidly into recession. Despite this, the Kopra family began to systematically modernize the sawmill with the goal of raising operations to meet future needs. Oil was replaced by burning bark and sawmill by-products, and the construction of a new power plant began immediately. Drying capacity was tripled within a few years, but the largest investment was the construction of the new EURO sawmill, which even their own bank refused to finance due to the unstable times. However, the sawmill, built with perseverance, proved to be an excellent investment, and its start-up at the end of November 1992 coincided with a moment when changes in the exchange rate of the markka had significantly increased the demand for sawn timber.
The acquisition of the Otava sawmill in 1997, which nearly doubled the company’s sawn timber production, is considered the birth of the current Versowood Group. In the following years, the company focused on timber impregnation and the growth of glued laminated timber production, but very soon expanded into the wood packaging and bioenergy sectors through acquisitions. The number of sawmills was increased again in 2004 when the Riihimäki sawmill of Paloheimo Wood Oy was acquired by the group. In the same year, Vierumäen Teollisuus became history, and all units were transferred under the Versowood name.
In 2006, a generational change was implemented in the company’s management, and Keijo Kopra’s sons, Pekka and Ville Kopra, took over the leadership of the ever-growing group. The first two decades of the 2000s saw not only business reorganizations but also acquisitions, such as the acquisition of the Hankasalmi sawmill from Vapo in 2014 and the purchase of the Hartola glued laminated timber factory from Metsä Wood in 2016. Over the years, the group has made significant growth-oriented investments, such as starting pellet and sawdust bale production in Vierumäki, the EURO sawmill renovation in 2010, and the major investment in the Veisto sawmill in 2022. A significant milestone can also be considered the construction project of the new headquarters after years of waiting and permit processes. The two-story, 3000-square-meter office, designed and built mainly from the group’s own products and serving as a pilot for a new wood office concept, will be completed in Vierumäki in 2025.
Through bold and determined growth and investments, Versowood is today Finland’s largest private wood processing group, with sawmills serving not only sawn timber customers but also other group units at its core. The group, which became solely owned by Ville Kopra in 2022, includes a total of 15 units and directly and indirectly employs thousands of forestry and wood industry professionals across the country. The company has long recognized that the social responsibility and role of wood products and the companies that manufacture them are significant. The group ensures compliance with obligations in all its operations and invests in the sustainable use of forests and the preservation of biodiversity in the name of environmental responsibility. At the same time, it guarantees jobs for the residents of its operating locations and tax euros for the municipality. Part of the societal value created annually by Versowood’s operations is directed towards regional development.
Tomorrow is renewable.
Founding a Finnish wood processing company
The duo of Partanen and Länsipuro, a driver and roads inspector respectively, decided to set up a sawmill in Härkälä village in Vierumäki. Being brave, they were not deterred by the resistance of the sawmills already in the area. Many others in the region were very supportive of their endeavour.
Wood-treating operations begin
Strong demand for a wide range of specialised wood products, such as hay silos and piers, challenged the company to develop impregnation methods for ensuring the durability of the wood they produced. Salt-saturation of sawn timber began at the sawmill in 1965.
Glulam production begins
In order to ensure reliable deliveries and the right length of sawn timber, glulam technology was introduced to increase the length of supporting structures made of Finnish sawn timber. Vierumäen Teollisuus was a pioneering Finnish wood-processing company at that time.
The Kopra family take over the management of the company
The Finnish wood-processing company, Vierumäen Teollisuus Oy, changed ownership on 1 January 1990, when the Kopras, a long-standing sawmill family business, took over the company from the Koll family who had owned it for 37 years.
Otava sawmill becomes part of Vierumäki Teollisuus Oy
Otava Saha sawmill, a more than 100-year-old enterprise located near Mikkeli, becomes a subsidiary of Vierumäen Teollisuus Oy. As a result of the incorporation, the group’s production capacity of Finnish sawn timber almost doubles.
The Novalam glulam plant begins operations
Vierumäen Teollisuus Oy builds a third-generation glulam plant near the Vierumäki sawmill. Production at the new plant begins in August 2000.
Kotka Laminated Lumber becomes part of Vierumäki Teollisuus Oy
Kotka Laminated Lumber Oy, a manufacturer of high-quality glulam products, becomes part of the Vierumäen Teollisuus group. The vast bulk of the group’s production, 95%, is exported to the Japanese market.
Pentre becomes part of Vierumäki Teollisuus Oy
Pentre Finland Oy, an internationally reputable Finnish manufacturer of wooden and plywood packaging boxes and cable coils, is incorporated into the Vierumäen Teollisuus group.
Vierumäen Teollisuus acquires the Riihimäki-based company Paloheimo Wood Oy
In July 2004, Vierumäen Teollisuus acquires the entire stock of Paloheimo Wood Oy. The acquisition includes all of Paloheimo Wood’s sawmill, planing, and partition production operations with its HGB trademarks, as well as the company’s industrial buildings.
Vierumäen Teollisuus is no more
The Vierumäen Teollisuus Group harmonizes the names and visual looks of all its units. Having the various units operating under different names had long been a laborious and cumbersome arrangement, and as of 10 December 2004, the name of the entire group became Versowood Group.
A loading pallet of sawn timber every 9 seconds
At the beginning of 2005, a state-of-the-art pallet factory was opened at Versowood’s Riihimäki branch. This further expanded and complemented the group’s wood packaging range. The twenty-person Riihimäki branch manufactures standard pallets and single-use pallets from Finnish sawn timber.
Versowood’s milestones
The year 2006 brought a number of major events for Versowood Group. A new generation takes over the management of the group. This year also marked the sixtieth anniversary of our Finnish wood-processing company; in honour of this milestone, the Veistosaha sawmill gets a major facelift in conjunction with rebuilding that was taking place at the same time.
Streamlining of operations and expansion of production
Restructuring of the Versowood Group achieves consolidation of the Group's industrial operations, and streamlining and clarification of the Group’s administrative functions.
Acquisition of two woodworking companies, R. Ojala Oy and Torpak Oy. A new pellet factory begins operations, and Versowood’s new sawn timber and pellet warehouse is opened at Valko harbour in Loviisa.
Versowood’s expansion
Two more companies are merged with the Versowood Group through acquisitions: Valkeakoski Laajapuu Oy and Muurlava Yhtiöt Oy. The latter was the parent company of A. Jalander Oy, which by now was already part of the Group.
2010-luku
- Pellet production begins in 2007
- Sawdust bale production begins in 2010
- EURO sawmill renovated in 2013
Versowood Oy acquires Vapo’s Hankasalmi sawmill
Versowood Oy acquires Vapo Timber Oy’s Hankasalmi sawmill and its timber processing business operations. The acquisition makes Versowood Oy one of the largest sawmill operators in the Finland. The merger came into force on 1 January 2014. Versowood’s and Hankasalmi sawmill’s total combined turnover for 2013 was over EUR 330 million, and exceeded EUR 350 million in 2014. After the merger, the Group has nearly 800 employees.
Versowood acquires Metsä Wood’s Hartola glulam mill
Thanks to this acquisition, Versowood’s glulam production volume for 2016 increases from about 65,000 m³ to over 80,000 m³. The acquisition brings the combined turnover of Versowood Group’s glulam beam production from Finnish wood to almost EUR 40 million per year. After the acquisition, Versowood’s glulam operations have a total of 110 employees.
Versowood buys the Kissakoski sawmill
New addition, Kissakoski sawmill, added to group in 2022, supports the wood procurement and also enhances the sawing. Kissakoski unit saws 9-15 cm small logs which produce planks and spars to be used in wood packaging industry.
Versowood invests in increasing sawmill production in Vierumäki
Versowood will increase the Vierumäki unit's annual saw production from the current level of 475,000 cubic meters to more than 600,000 cubic meters. During the summer of 2022, the company will renew the second sawing line in Vierumäki and build a new fresh sorting facility for core goods. The investment increases significantly unit´s cost efficiency and productivity.
Ownership of the Versowood Group to Ville Kopra
With the share transaction completed on 16 November 2022, Versowood Group Oy has purchased the group’s shares owned by Pekka Kopra, and thus the company’s ownership has been wholly transferred to Ville Kopra.
Versowood acquires Vapo Terra Oy's Turenki pellet factory
The acquisition will take place on 1.1. 2024. Versowood's total pellet production will increase to almost 100,000 tons. The company sees the potential for growth in bioenergy and especially in pellets.
Versowood acquires Pinar Oy
With the acquisition on 25 September 2024, Versowood strengthens it´s position in the telephone and electricity pole business. Versowood aims at a turnover of approximately EUR 20 million in the infrastructure business.