Snap-together wood products firm Välinge acquires powder coating plant
VIKEN, Sweden - In 2015, a major investment was initiated by Pervanovo to build a high-tech large-volume factory for powder-based floors with Woodura and Nadura surfaces in Viken.
 
The € 50 million investment (U.S. $60 million) comprises a continuous pressing line from Hymmen, a sawing and profiling line from Paul and Homag, a surface treatment line from Bürkle and a packaging line from JB. 
 
 
Earlier, Välinge adapted its click-together flooring technology to cabinets, and demonstrations of the Threespine technology at IWF 2016 drew strong interest among U.S. wood products manufacturers. Bierson Corp., a Central Point, Oregon 3D laminate components maker, signed a license agreement with Valinge for the use of Threespine click furniture technology. That technology also won a 2017 Interzum award.
 
The powder technology is very successful and several potential licensees are interested in buying large volumes of flooring with Woodura and Nadura surfaces from Välinge - initially for introducing and evaluating the products while setting up their own production based on a Välinge license. Although Välinge recently installed a second production line for powder based floors, additional capacity was required to meet the demand from existing and potential licensees and partners. With the new acquisition, Välinge will have an installed press capacity of 7 million m2 at the facility in Viken, Sweden
 
“By taking over the new factory in Viken, we will be able to significantly strengthen our position to serve our partners--including Pervanovo--with products,” says Välinge CEO Niclas Håkansson.

Pervanovo's new investments in powder technology

The demand from direct customers and distributors in Europe is growing and Pervanovo has therefore initiated a major investment in Croatia that will provide at least 6 Mm2 of powder based floors that will be sold under the Bjelin brand. 
A new factory for floors with Woodura and Nadura surfaces will be operational during 2019 and will be located at a new 220.000 m2 production site close to the present Parquet factory in Ogulin, Croatia. 
 
Woodura layers: 1. ) Hardwax oil or UV lacquer; 2.) Natural oak or ash wood covering; 3.) Wood-based powder layer; 4.) High-quality moisture-resistant High Density Fiberboard; 5.) Spruce veneer backing layer 
 
“With the latest investments made by Pervanovo, they will become a major Välinge licensee”, says Niclas Håkansson.
Cost efficient high-quality veneer is of vital importance for production of Woodura-based products. Croatia has one of the best oak forests in Europe and a favorable location close to main European markets. Pervanovo has therefore initiated major investments in its Croatian company Bjelin d.o.o. to build a capacity of 20 million square meters of special veneer for flooring with Woodura. A new slicing (knife cutting) factory will be built in Bjelovar and a new splicing (cutting and connecting veneer) factory will be built in Ogulin to serve Välinge and Pervanovo with veneers. The present annual parquet capacity in Croatia will be increased from 1 to 2 million square meters, mainly with increased production of plank-sized floors and small parquet strips for herringbone installation.
 
“Our total investments in Croatia during 2018 and 2019 are estimated to approximately € 100 million. When these investments are finalized, Bjelin d.o.o will become the leading wood processing company in Croatia,” says Pervanovo owner Darko Pervan. 
 

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.