Weichen für die Zukunft erfolgreich gestellt EN Successfully setting the course for the future

The objective for building the new Eurolegnami sawmill at the company's Novaledo headquarters in Italy was straightforward: to enhance their value creation and, more importantly, to secure long-term competitiveness and cost reliability. The Italians only considered the most skilled machine-building professionals for the project, and Kallfass easily met their standards.

The core values of Eurolegnami di Debortoli Fabrizio were established when the company was founded, more than 30 years ago. More than 2.5 million pallets leave the plant in Novaledo near Trento in northern Italy every year, destined for industrial customers in the surrounding regions and beyond. Fabrizio Debortoli, Managing Director, emphasizes the need for diversification beyond pallet production to ensure long-term competitiveness. Ultimately, the company's sawn timber supply is crucial to its overall success.

A fresh start

A few years ago, the next generation finally joined the family business. At the same time, the band sawmill's outdated systems were causing production delays, making significant investment in upgrades a necessity. Instead of a costly renovation, however, the decision was made to build a new building on a neighbouring industrial site. Eurolegnami was able to launch production at the new facility at the middle of the year. The company's 100,000 cubic meter annual capacity ensures they can fully supply their own pallet production while also being flexible to respond to market fluctuations in the sawn timber market.

Wood quality, a continuous challenge

Eurolegnami, as a pallet manufacturer, must buy all sawable roundwood assortments. Aside from the cut itself, fluctuating log quality poses a major problem for the sorting process and for handling the sawn timber as a whole. “We needed top-notch professionals in this area and Kallfass quickly stood out. Right from the start, they understood our situation, the requests and objectives of the new plant, and consequently came up with a suitable concept for us that more than met our expectations,” says Nadia Longhi, Administrative Manager at Eurolegnami, pleased to have made the right decision in selecting the perfect supplier for the new sawmill.

“Systems like those of Eurolegnami are part of our proven standard repertoire. This order is particularly satisfying because it establishes another significant reference point for us in the Trentino-Alto Adige region after several years.” says Kallfass Managing Director Hans Haist, speaking at a meeting in Novaledo.

Established concept

Kallfass takes responsibility for delivering both primary and side products from the sawing line onwards. After appropriate buffer solutions, the boards are separated at the first evaluation station. The operator can highlight the quality of wood parts by using a chalk line, and by pulling the wood forward any defective areas can be cut off subsequently using the zero saw. Next, six lasers scan the board, measuring its dimensions. Based on these measurements, each piece of wood is sorted into one of 25 designated boxes. Due to space limitations, Eurolegnami chose a vertical design of these boxes. “In the case of slanted boxes, we could have created a maximum of 20 boxes. However, using smaller pallet dimensions, there is no need to worry about damage, even if using a vertical design,” emphasises Haist during the guided tour.

Once a box is full, it is emptied and the boards are automatically separated using a step conveyor. An operator monitors the layer creation before each board is cut to the desired length on the multiple cross-cut saw from Kallfass. To maximize raw material efficiency in pallet production, Kallfass has integrated seven movable saw aggregates into the system. Haist points out that “In the pallet business, the yield of the raw material is crucial”. “Our focus is on precise, millimeter-accurate cutting to ensure the downstream pallet line receives exactly what it needs.” The boards vary in length, measuring between 600 mm and 5.2 m.

Once cut to size, the timber can either be stacked on the stacking system in an offset position or prepared for transport ready strapped, depending on the application. “Our stacking system has been reliable for years and, like the rest of the system, is remarkably user-friendly, making maintenance and operation straightforward. Depending on the workload, only two to three employees are needed on the line - the rest runs itself,” explains Haist.

Great customer confidence

The order situation at Kallfass remains good. “Some of our books are already well filled until 2026. The orders vary in scope, from minor modifications and updates to complete systems and large-scale projects. We are particularly pleased to have been able to once again demonstrate our pallet expertise in this project, enhancing Eurolegnami's preparedness for the future,” stated Haist with satisfaction.

Eurolegnami is pleased with the results of the project. “We were able to visit several sawmills in Germany at the beginning of the decision-making process. Today, we understand the reasons behind the significant customer loyalty to Kallfass,” explains Michele Debortoli, successor and junior manager.