Raute signs a two-year service agreement with Sveza Group, Perm Plywood Mill

PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 25, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.

RAUTE SIGNS A TWO-YEAR SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SVEZA GROUP, PERM PLYWOOD MILL

On February 21, 2014, Raute and SVEZA Group signed a two-year service agreement concerning SVEZA's Perm Plywood Mill in Russia. The service agreement entitles Raute to play a key role in technical, technological audits and maintenance of the mill's RauteSmart peeling line, RauteSelect drying line and RauteSmart patching line as well as provide stock of critical spare parts for this equipment through its Russian subsidiary.

Raute will play a significant role in developing the maintenance system and procedures. This is expected to result in growth of the overall equipment efficiency and increased focus on preventive maintenance. The value of the agreement will not be disclosed.

"We see this service agreement as an important step in transforming maintenance and repair processes in SVEZA. It opens new opportunities for both SVEZA and Raute in the future collaboration and development of relations beyond conventional installation and modernization of equipment where we all have a long history. We have high expectations of this service program and are looking forward to expanding successful experience to other mills of our group", concludes Ivan Glinkin, Operations Development Director at SVEZA Group.

"The aim of this service agreement is to improve the mill's overall equipment efficiency (OEE) in a substantial and sustained way. We will achieve this goal with Perm Plywood Mill's long expertise from plywood manufacturing, as well as with our knowhow as an equipment and service provider", says Juha Rantalainen, Business Manager, Production Support Services for Raute.

SVEZA is a modern, fast-growing group of companies, one of the leading players in the woodworking market. SVEZA produces high-quality plywood of natural Russian birch and holds the world leadership in this sector. SVEZA annually produces over 1,200,000 m3 of wood board: 920,000 m3 of plywood and 310,000 m3 of particle board. SVEZA mills are located in regions that are naturally rich in birch woods: UIFK (St. Petersburg), Fanplit (Kostroma), Novator (Vologda Region), Perm Plywood Mill (Perm Territory), Manturovo Plywood Mill (Kostroma Region), Fankom (Sverdlovsk Region). More information about SVEZA Group at www.sveza.com.

Raute is a technology and service company that operates worldwide. Raute’s customers are companies operating in the wood products industry that manufacture veneer, plywood and LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber). The technology offering covers machinery and equipment for the entire production process. As a supplier of mill-scale projects Raute is a global market leader both in the plywood and LVL industries. Additionally, Raute’s full-service concept includes technology services ranging from spare parts deliveries to regular maintenance and equipment modernizations. Raute’s head office is located in Nastola, Finland. Its other production plants are in the Vancouver area of Canada, in the Shanghai area of China, and in Kajaani, Finland. Raute’s net sales in 2013 were EUR 83.3 million. The Group’s headcount at the end of 2013 was 534. More information about Raute at www.raute.com.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Petri Lakka, Group Vice President, Technology Services, Raute Corporation, tel. +358 40 521 1087
Ivan Glinkin, Operations Development Director, SVEZA Group, tel. +7 925 011-75-47

DISTRIBUTION:
main media, www.raute.com