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343
Small and Medium Sized Wood
Businesses – Opportunities and
Challenges for a Sustainable
and Regional Development
Alfred TEISCHINGER
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU),
Instit ute of Wood Science and Technolog y,
Depar tment of Material S ciences and Process Engineerin g. Vienna, Austria
Abstract – This paper provides a short survey on forest-based industries and reports
on the cha llenges and opport unities for smal l wood businesses a nd crafts for a sus tain-
able and regional development. Besides large industrial entities small businesses and
crafts can survive not only in niche markets, but in certain areas of carpentry, joinery
and cabinet making, a nd they even fulfi l a key role within the wood manufacturing sec-
tor. Modern CNC technology and machining concepts make it possible for small busi-
nesses to be ver y fl exible and cost-competitive in their production. The concept of wood
cluster structures supports small businesses to build up a network for production and
services to the customer and to large industries in order to become an important part
within the whole wood processing chain.
Keywords: CNC-production, wood crafts, wood cluster
Introduction
Forest-based industries (FBI) cover a huge range of businesses and enterprises from
prima ry and seconda ry wood processin g, wood-based panels, pulp and pa per industries,
wood energy plants to the manufacturing of wood components, furniture, other fi nal
products, wooden constructions and buildings. As shown by TEISCHINGER (2009) the
whole forest-based sector is one of the most important industrial sectors in the EU
aft er the food/beverage and automotive sectors. FBI comprise a ver y complex structu re
of di erent process and va lue chai ns such as sawmi lling and solid wood produc ts, wood-
based materials, pulp and paper and energy as shown in Figure 1. In general the FBI
sector is a very dynamic sector within Europe with considerable annual growth which
is based on forest resources, the typical structure of the sector and a successful innova-
344
Alfred Teischinger
tion strateg y as well. Increa sing competition for re sources in general, a shift to a “g reen-
er” economy due to climatic challenges, etc. support the FBI sector as one of the most
important green economies.
The forest-based sector technology platform (FTP), a joint initiative of the European
forest-based sector aims at the strategic promotion of research and innovation and wants
to bridge/link the objectives and strategies of European policy makers and the objectives
and strategies of the forest-based sector (http://www.forestplatform.org/en/). Thus
the FTP can also be seen as a governance mechanism which engages all the key stake-
holders and provides a forum for public-private dialogue and partnership. But despite
these initiatives the FBI sector still has a lot of homework to do concerning resource and
energy e ciency and a shift to a modern and innovative industrial branch for a better and
greener future. One should also consider that the process chains, as shown in Figure 1, are
sometimes in symbiotic co-existence (side products from one chain become an input ma-
terial for tanother chain) but in competition for the raw material wood, too (industrial
roundwood for pulping, wood-based panels and/or energy uses).
FIGURE 1. Complex and interaction structure of the main process chains based
on the forest resources including the recovery of wood and paper products
The whole array of the sector’s enterprises derives from two main professional
sources: craftsmanship and foundation of modern industrial plants.
Pulp and paper industries and modern wood-based panel industries mainly developed
from industrial foundations whereas sawmilling, furniture production, wood components
production (fl ooring, windows, doors, etc.) and timber construction businesses derived
345
Small and Medium Sized Wood Businesses – Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable and Regional Development
from crafts and still today keep their roots in craftsmanship. It can further be shown that
enterprises in the forest-based sector are frequently situated in remote areas and contrib-
ute to a rural structure of villages and smaller cities by providing di erent jobs for skilled
labourers, middle management, technicians and engineers. But the owners of crafts, small
and medium sized enterprises also play a distinctive role as employers and in the region-
al society.
In some areas of the wood business we can see both systems in successful co-existence
(carpentry, furniture) whereas in other branches (e.g. sawmilling) small sawmills have
been reduced to a pure niche-market. Considering that most of the wood and wood-based
products are bound for the building sector in general, which includes construction (car-
pentry), joinery and indoor design (windows, doors, fl ooring, wall cladding) and furniture
(cabinet maker), refurbishing becomes more and more of a big issue (ACHLEITNER 2012)
and a big business for specialized crafts and fi rms (Figure 2). What are the reasons for the
current development and what future developments can be expected?
FIGURE 2. Refurbished modern and multi-functional conference room under the old roof of the
University of Technology (TU), Vienna. Picture taken from the Conference “Refurbished Future 2011”),
Institut für interdisziplinäres Bauprozessmanagement, TU Vienna
The current paper focuses on modern and innovative crafts and small and medium
sized enterprises in the wood businesses with respect to regional aspects, covering vari-
ous challenges and opportunities. Economy of scale such as it is applied in the pulp and
paper industries, modern sawmill industries and panel industries has changed the tradi-
tional wood sector dramatically in the last years. But, there is still a chance for smaller
enterprises, especially crafts, in order to fulfi l customers’ needs and to contribute to re-
gional development
Note: Small and medium-sized enterprises are enterprises employing fewer than
250 people. According to European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of
6 May 2003, enterprises are defi ned with regard to their number of employees, annual
turnover, and their independence. Large enterprises are defi ned as those with 250
346
Alfred Teischinger
employees and more. For statist ical purposes, smal l and medium-sized enterpri ses may
be further subdivided into:
micro enterprises• (fewer than 10 employees);
small enterprises• (10 to 49 employees);
medium-sized enterprises• (50 to 249 employees).
Analysing the European industrial sectors (http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/
wood-paper-printing/links/index_en.htm) it is clear that wood-related micro-enterpris-
es and crafts are often not represented in an adequate way. Looking at EU furniture pro-
duction, we see that about 86% of the enterprises are categorised as micro-enterprises.
Crafts versus industries – a review
Nowadays economic issues and economic policy are strongly related to industrial pro-
duction, the energy sector and to services (comprising the whole tertiary sector). The
importance of crafts within the production sector is quite often neglected. In terms of
employment (expressed as fu ll-time equivalent of self-employed and employed persons)
in Austria one can summarize as follows (TEISCHINGER et al. 2009):
Full-time equivalent forestry (primary sector) 18,400
Full-time equivalent wood industries 30,422
Full-time equivalent wood crafts (joinery, carpentry, etc.) appr. 80,000
These numbers show the importance of the various wood-based crafts within the Aus-
trian forest-based sector.
Quite often there is a discussion about industrial production versus craftsmanship and
this discussion is also carried on for issues such as wood industries associations, stand-
ardisation, economic policy and regulations, etc. On an intellectual level a thorough dis-
cussion on the importance of crafts in the wood business is given in a special issue of the
pro:Holz series “zuschnitt”, issue 26 (ANON. 2007), where many aspects of crafts are dis-
cussed in detail (Figure 3).
FIGURE 3. Craftmanship and commitment to his product and service. Photo: zuschnitt 26, pro:Holz
347
Small and Medium Sized Wood Businesses – Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable and Regional Development
It is clear that public opinion frequently sees crafts as a synonym for tradition, nostal-
gia or local service. In an essay CHRISTINE AX (2007) discusses crafts from di erent points
of view. As an expert on crafts she develops a philosophy of crafts as follows: “ … a sustain-
able economy needs crafts, needs regional and e cient energy supply, … society needs a
“better” rather than a “more” … Would crafts be on the stock market I would suggest to keep
these stocks, as a stock prize gain can be expected”. Ax emphasises the strong interaction
between the customer and the craftsman as one of the main features of craftsmanship.
New technologies such as information technology (IT) and computer-controlled manu-
facturing could defi nitely facilitate this interaction in the future.
Changes in the structure of the wood-processing sector
Due to the r ising costs for labour, mechanizat ion and automation of ma nufacturi ng was
a crucial point during the 1970s and 1980s in the wood industries. The introduction of
the CNC-Techniques (Computerized Numerical Control) in wood machining, in the
early 1980s for furniture manufacturing and late 1980s for carpentry and joinery, pro-
vided a cha nce for a fl exible and individual manufactur ing method with reasonable low
production costs for sma ll and medium sized enterprises, too. This was a turning point
in modern m anufactu ring from industri al mass produc tion to more fl exible productions
based on individual orders.
In modern CNC systems, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufac-
turing (CAM) programs are combined. Two di erent systems can be distinguished:
stationary processing and put-through processing. The various programs produce a
computer fi le that is interpreted to extract the commands needed to operate a particu-
lar ma chine via a post processor, and then loaded into the CNC machi nes for production.
Since any particular component to be produced might require the use of a number of
di erent tools such as drills, saws, etc., modern machines often combine multiple tools
into a single machining centre. This enables the machining of components for furni-
ture, windows, doors, sta irs, building component in one single machine (Figure 4).
FIGURE 4. Various structural wood members, specifi cally machined according to a structural design
(Source: Hundegger Maschinenbau)
348
Alfred Teischinger
As the introduction of the CNC techniques was an essential innovation step in both
wood industries and crafts, it was a very important development for crafts to become ef-
fi cient, cost-competitive and fl exible in their businesses. GEISE (2000) thoroughly dis-
cusses the advantages of CNC techniques in joinery crafts such as cost-e cient produc-
tion, precision, reproducibility, etc. In specifi c wood machining journals examples and
best practice reports on applications of CNC techniques in crafts are presented (e.g. HOB
Die Holzbearbeitung) (BUCKI 2011).
Computer Aided Design (CAD) is used by engineers, architects, drafters, artists and
others to create precision drawings or technical illustrations. Modern CAD equipment
enables the designer to quickly produce very accurate and realistic images of products to
be manufactured. Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is used in automatically pro-
ducing fi nished products with computer controlled production machines. CAD and CAM
work together in that the digital model generated in CAD is used by a specifi c CAM soft-
ware package.
Specifi c CAD/CAM software solutions are already available (ANON. 2008). However
they still need to be further developed for product and production planning and cost ac-
counting calculation as well, all of which are specifi cally applicable in small crafts and
enterprises. In joinery and cabinet making CAD/CAM solutions are already well-estab-
lished both in large manufacturing entities and in small businesses (Figure 5).
FIGURE 5. CAC/CAM feature in cabinet making comprising 3D/CAD drawing from the fi st sketch
and planning to photorealistic presentation and integration into CNC-manufacturing and assembling
to the fi nal product and cost accounting as well (source HOMAG eSolutions)
CAD/CAM solutions can also be applied in the timber construction sector and provide
small and medium sized carpentry businesses with a powerful tool to be competitive on
the construction market. A comprehensive survey on existing CAD solutions in wood
construction is provided by the “Kompetenzzentrum der Bauwirtschaft” (ANON. 2011)
which analyses the various software solutions o ered on the market.
Not all houses and other edifi ces are new constructions and refurbishing of existing
buildings becomes more and more important. There is a chance for small and medium
businesses in the wood construction area to specialize in solutions for refurbishing and
upgrading existing buildings. The buildings, for which one must develop plans, are often
anything but rectangular, straight and symmetrical. “cadwork® wood” o ers a CAD tool
349
Small and Medium Sized Wood Businesses – Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable and Regional Development
where the building’s measures are taken with precision (built mode). The measured
points are transmitted via Bluetooth or cable directly to cadwork 3D. Following the meas-
urements, the sketch takes shape. Additional information for each line greatly facilitates
subsequent evaluation. In the “layout” mode, planning data (ex. situation points to elimi-
nate) are referred to the total station and can then be projected exactly on site (Figure 6).
So the whole planning, sketching and production process including the construction work
on the building is highly supported by an innovative IT-solution. This makes refurbishing
competitive for small and medium businesses and also contributes to the development of
regional businesses.
FIGURE 6. CAD/CAM solution for measuring an existing building for further design
and sketching for a refurbishing solution (cadcam®)
Cluster initiatives as a stimulating network of small and medium
enterprises (SME)
Clusters make it possible for small and medium-size businesses (including crafts) to
work both with each other and with large companies e.g. in a subdelivery and service
system . Cooperation with instit utions of research a nd education is stimu lated, too. The
concept of an economic cluster refers to any number of companies situated geographi-
cally close to one another and whose activities complement each other along a certain
value chain, or are related to one another and form a network. The active participation
in a cluster yields synergy e ects resulting from geographic and thematic proximity.
The competitiveness of an individual company can be enhanced by its access to the
know-how of other companies and new and shared markets can be entered. Improve-
ments in product, product development and processes can be carried out jointly and
mutually benefi cial qualifi cation measures can be implemented.
Cluster members often exploit shared communication platforms for example to estab-
lish international contacts in order to open up new distribution channels abroad, or for
joint promotional campaigns. By cross-linking within clusters, frequently there is an
easier access to funding opportunities for innovative business plans and other develop-
ments. In Austria various clusters in di erent economic branches have been established
350
Alfred Teischinger
in recent years, mostly supported by local governments. A very detailed analysis of the
economic impacts of the various clusters in the province of Lower Austria is given by
BERRER et al. (2011), which revealed a mostly positive impact of the cluster initiative on
the cluster partners involved.
What are the benefi ts of such a system of small and medium sized industries?
One of the main advantages is suggested by the term “smart grid of production”, where
many actors participate in a network instead of a large-scale enterprise (which some-
times becomes trust-like). The smart grid of partners may also be distributed over a cer-
tain region (cluster), even in remote areas, and is not concentrated in urban and suburban
areas (because of specifi c infrastructure and human resources, etc.). Many of the small
businesses can further exist as free and independent fi rms which also has a societal e ect
within a specifi c region.
In Austria the establishment of so-called wood clusters provided a lot of support for
this development, which had the goal of clustering small and medium enterprises even
within bigger industrial compounds and/or clustering small enterprises into a general
supplier (e.g. by linking di erent crafts). A lot of prejudice had to be overcome, but many
of these clusters have become very successful in supporting the various cluster members.
Such wood clusters, mainly focused on a specifi c province, are:
Holzcluster Steiermark (Styrian Wood Cluster): • http://www.holzcluster-steiermark.
at/. This cluster wants to strengthen the Styrian wood industries targeting high-
tech wood solutions in the various fi elds of the use of wood. Besides the strong
regional focus the cluster also supports co-operations and export initiatives to
neighbouring countries especially to the south-east of Europe. It supports and
organises various activities in the fi elds of technology transfer, innovation projects
and training such as the “Wood Academy”. Courses of the Wood Academy comprise
management (including marketing and selling), language skills, IT knowledge,
innovation and technology.
A distinctive “Wood Engineering Centre” at the so-called Wood Innovation Centre •
(HIZ) should help small enterprises to develop and produce fi rst prototypes of new
products (Figure 7).
FIGURE 7. Wood Engineering
Centre of the Styrian Wood Cluster
in order to produce fi rst prototypes
of new products (Photo: HIZ)
351
Small and Medium Sized Wood Businesses – Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable and Regional Development
Bau-, Energie- Umweltcluster Niederösterreich (Construction-, Energy- and Eco-•
cluster Lower Austria): http://www.ecoplus.at/de/ecoplus/cluster-nieder oester-
reich/bau-energie-umwelt/: This “Green Building Cluster” is designed to link and
strengthen domestic and regional competence in the area of sustainable building
and living. It focuses on low energy and passive house standards in new buildings
and refurbishment as well as on general living quality. In the area of energy, the
cluster is banking on renewable energy carriers and renewable raw materials and
their corresponding technologies.
Möbel- und Holzbaucluster Oberösterreich (Furniture und Wood Construction •
Cluster Upper Austria) http://www.m-h-c.at/. This cluster comprises the two
di erent branches of furniture production and wood construction and their related
subdelivery partners and services. Their main target is to strengthen the
competitiveness of the cluster partners by building up an information network,
providing training courses and cooperation to research and development (R&D)
institutions. Analysing the member structure of the cluster, about 75% of the
member enterprises are micro- and small-scale enterprises.
Holzcluster Tirol (Wood Cluster Tirol): • http://www.holzcluster-tirol.at/. Tyrol’s
Wood Cluster is a network of companies in the sector’s added-value chain which
encourages innovation, cooperation, qualifi cation, the opening of new markets and
internationalisation, while functioning as a central contact partner, both
domestically and internationally. The predominantly small-sized company
structure of Tyrol’s timber industry ensures the necessary flexibility for
implementing ongoing innovations in product development and thus forms the
foundation of successful business. The manufacturing sector of the timber industry
can utilize this fl exibility in both horizontal and vertical cooperations in order to be
in a position to o er complete solutions and take on larger commissions.
There is also a strong cooperation with the TIS/wood cluster in Bolzano (Italy/•
South Tyrol).
HTT15 Holzbauteam Tirol (Timber construction team Tirol): http://www.htt15.at/•
Holzcluster Salzburg (Wood Cluster Salzburg): • http://www.holzcluster.at/de/. This
cluster also focuses on a more competitive wood sector by building up networks and
knowledge management and promotes the “power of the small businesses”.
Each of these clusters has a slightly di erent scope and focuses on di erent topics due
to the regional situation and structure of the wood industries, the market situation, etc.
One of the big disadvantages can be seen in the very strong commitment to a specifi c re-
gion (via support of the local government) and there is only a very weak overall network
of the various wood clusters.
Concerning the idea of a wood cluster, one can fi nd many further wood (industry) clus-
ters all over Europe, but these are not analysed further in this paper.
352
Alfred Teischinger
Challenges and opportunities in the future
Future challenges can be summarized as follows: the issue of the further development
of adequate technologies (machines, equipment, services, etc.) for smaller production
entities, t he initiation of, strategic and fi nancia l support for specifi c research, develop-
ment and innovation including product design and marketing concepts.
New chances and opportunities for wood products (including services) for crafts and
small and regional acting enterprises can be seen in the following markets and develop-
ments:
Homing
There are many rea sons for a new wave of “homing” such a s insecurity, stress, changes
which lead to security, cosiness, new aims in life, etc. This results in demand on green
materials, cocooni ng, wellness in private homes, but also retro- design using old materi-
als, refurbishing old furniture and buildings, handmade products, etc. – a huge oppor-
tunity for crafts.
An aging society with related changes in society develops di erent consumer demands
concerning home and living (Schwarzbauer 2008). Specifi c demands such as high-end
furniture, direct contact and service, helpdesk services, etc. are supporting small and re-
gional structures, too. We should emphasize that there are many other trends in our soci-
ety such as “sociotainment”, simplicity, “optionism”, self-staging, etc.
“Homing” and privacy support the use of bio-based materials such as wood but also
comprise high-tech solutions, retro and modern smart materials as well. This can be seen
as challenge and opportunity for tailored wood solutions. The direct and personal contact
and service from crafts, for instance, is refl ected in the current public relations campaign
“Ihr Tischler macht´s persönlich (your joinery at your service) (Figure 8).
FIGURE 8. Public relation campaign for “joineries at your
service” within the Austrian joinery federation
Customization
More and more cu stomers are demanding individual desi gn and custom ization of prod-
ucts (e.g. concerning furniture, indoor design, architecture, etc.) but at reasonable
prices. Moder n IT-based manufacturing enables customization concepts in wood busi-
nesses, too, as shown in Figure 9.
353
Small and Medium Sized Wood Businesses – Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable and Regional Development
FIGURE 9. Mass-customization allows customers to confi gure and accessorize their products specifi cally
Customization processes may support individual production such as by crafts but they
may also be seen as industrial mass customization, where industrial production becomes
very fl exible and responds to the individual demand of the customer. One example of mass
customization in wood industries has been elaborated by GRONALT et al. (2006) and
TEISCHINGER et al. (2007) addressing an individual parquet fl oor design (Figure 10).
FIGURE 10. Mass customization by individual design patterns of a parquet fl oor (TEISCHINGER et al. 2007)
New materials and technologies
Most fi nal products such as furniture, doors/windows, fl oors, claddings, etc. basically
consist of a body built up with the substrate wood and/or wood-based materials and a
surface which has aesthetic and protective features. Therefore the substrate material
performance and the development of the materials and surface solutions are of great
importance as well.
In many fi elds within the wood sector solid wood was and still is the main material
to be used. The emergence of wood based materials such as plywood, fi bre board, and
particle board led to a dramatic change in wood manufacturing and product design.
354
Alfred Teischinger
Currently the wood-based material sector shows rapid developments such as light-weight
approaches (MÜLLER et al. 2011) and Engineered Wood Products (EWP) which open
the door to new manufacturing systems, and to new product design and architecture
(Figure 11). The development of wood as a building material (e.g. glued structures, en-
gineered products, etc.) can be pursued in the pro:Holz series “zuschnitt” (http://www.
proholz.at/zuschnitt/ausgaben/). Since the year 2001 various issues of “zuschnitt” have
covered technological development and the creation of new design approaches with wood
and wood-based materials.
FIGURE 11. Structure of wood-based sandwich composites according to MÜLLER et al. (2011)
Despite the tradition and the natural origin, wood and wood-based materials pass
through an enormous innovation process, which includes traditional solid wood, too.
There is a lot of information about new wood-based materials available, but “zuschnitt”
has a certain focus on the philosophy of the use of wood and innovative wood products in
architecture and design. The discussion includes issues of industry and crafts, regional
uses and global markets as well.
New surface solutions for wood and wood-based materials are a huge area of research
and development. Current innovation processes in the fi eld of nano-structured surface
solutions are addressed by RÖSSLER (2005) and current developments in surface technol-
ogy can best be followed up in technology transfer publications such as the “Surface”-
Edition of the annually edited supplements of Holz-Zentralblatt (DRW-Verlag Weinbrenner).
Knowledge-based society and mastery
Our society has undergone various changes and transitions from an agricultural econ-
omy (pre-Industrial Age, largely the agrarian sector) to industrial economy (with the
355
Small and Medium Sized Wood Businesses – Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable and Regional Development
Industrial Age, largely the manufacturing sector) to post-industrial/mass production
economy (mid-1900s, largely the service sector) to knowledge economy (late 1900s–
2000s, mainly in the technology/human capital sector). This sta ge has been marked by
upheavals in technological innovations and the globally competitive need for innova-
tion with new products and processes that develop from the research and development
community. In the current so-called global knowledge-based economy, the specialized
labour force is characterized as computer literate and well-trained in handling data,
developing a lgorithms a nd simulated models, and in novating on processes and s ystems.
But we should also consider that global economies must be connected locally with
linked industries, manufacturers and other entities that are related through skills, tech-
nologies, and other common inputs. Hence, knowledge is the catalyst and connective tis-
sue in modern economies, skills and local mastery are still important items for the wel-
fare of a society. AX (2009) suggests a society of skills beside the knowledge-based soci-
ety in order to contribute to the cultural heritage of Europe and a new approach to an
economy of personal freedom as well. According to AX (2009) the “economy of skills” can
be seen as a new and smart attempt to escape the current global performance society
which is increasingly becoming a threat to the environment, resources and societal stabil-
ity. Regionality and craftsmanship are the main features of such an economy of skills.
Wood and wood-based crafts – answering a wide array of societal demands (concerning
building and living) – can be seen as an important role model for these new thoughts.
New developments in wood machining and IT-solutions for crafts and small businesses
are part of international wood machining fairs, such as the LIGNA Hannover (SCHNEIDER
et al. 2011). Modern crafts are important enough to organize a specifi c European trade
fair
for machine technology, equipment and supplies specifi cally for wood crafts (Figure
12).
FIGURE 12. Modern wood crafts – still important enough to organize a European trade fair for machine technology,
equipment and supplies specifi cally for wood crafts
Attractive jobs – human resource development
Wood businesses are not ver y attract ive to young people tr ying to decide on their career.
Based on various polls, joinery seems to be the most attractive career within the sector
but more and more wood businesses have noticed that they are not the fi rst address for
career decisions. In this context one should remember that many wood businesses are
located in remote areas, near small villages and towns, which may also have an infl u-
ence on a career decision. Therefore the wood industry organizations in Austria have
356
Alfred Teischinger
launched a special programme in order to attract young people into their businesses.
The main focus of the campaign is on apprentices and skilled labourers with respect to
the various vocational schools and training institutions. A very progressive campaign
was developed (Figure 13) and via internet, brochures and workshops the wood busi-
nesses permanently try to get in contact with the young generation (http://www.pro-
holz.at/genialeholzjobs/).
FIGURE13. Brilliant wood jobs – sketch in order to attract the young generation
(“… yes – you can wood”, “Mood for Wood” etc.)
Some further aspects
In microeconomics, economies of scale are the cost advantages that an enterprise ob-
tains due to expansion. There are factors that cause a producer’s average cost per unit
to fall as the scale of output is increased. “Economies of scale” is a well-known concept
and refers to reductions in unit cost as the size of a facility and the usage levels of other
inputs increase. In most process and value chains wood industries have shifted from a
primarily regional business (based on a nearby wood raw material supply and water
power from nearby rivers, etc.) to bigger entities following the rule of the economy of
scale. In Europe one can follow this development by analysing various mill sites in re-
mote area s mostly situated by smal l rivers. But there are more and more investments of
new plants on a strategic site considering the whole infrastructure such as transporta-
tion and access to the labour market also.
A future shift to a more renewables-based economy which increasingly considers the
ecological impacts of processes and transport will also consider regional structures. This
might lead to sophisticated subdelivery process chains by certain preprocessing steps.
One current approach, as an example, is the branding of Short Route Timber (“Das Holz
der kurzen Wege”) from Rettenmeier sawmill (DE) which is now further promoted by the
German Sawmill Association (http://www.holzderkurzen-wege.de/).
357
Small and Medium Sized Wood Businesses – Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable and Regional Development
Summary
Wood industries comprise a huge array of process chains and di erent enterprises.
Wood manufacturing in the fi eld of constr uction components, indoor design and furni-
ture is a major part of this industrial sector. Some parts of this sector such as sawmill-
ing and wood-based panels industries are mainly large scaled industries (but mostly
situated in rural areas), whereas timber construction businesses, joinery products and
furniture manufactu ring can be done on a n industria l scale and cra fts as well. It is clea r
that crafts in the wood business face challenges and opportunities in the future a s they
comprise many features such as direct contact with the customer, regional presence
(including short transport distances). New technologies in manufacturing (CNC ma-
chining) and IT-solutions, and regional economic clusters support smaller production
entities to be competitive in certain market sectors in relation to bigger industrial pro-
duction units.
Besides appropriate techniques (machines, infrastructure, IT-solutions) economic
clusters and other initiatives are a means in order to support regional manufacturing
structures and the development of crafts.
We will close by summarising some thoughts from KENTZLER (2011) who sees modern
crafts as an important driver of innovation, but important innovations in the past have
also been performed by craftsman. The regional activities and the focus on crafts is not
an antithesis to globalisation but a key for the solution to many global challenges. Crafts
are anchored in the region and therefore represent a stable and sustainable development
with strong impacts on the regional community.
References
AX, C. (2007): Aus P rinzip Handwerk. 26. pro:Holz, Wien, p. 4-7. ISSN 1608-9642
AX, C. (2009): Die Können sgesellscha ft. Mit guter A rbeit aus der Krise. Rhombos Verlag, Berlin
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