HewSaw's sawing machines, sawlines, spare parts and services are designed for efficient processing of raw material from managed forests. Maximizing the use of raw wood material is one of the main design criteria for customized sawlines. This way, the maximum amount of wood is converted into carbon sequestering lumber.
“Sawing machines contribute to sustainable development, as sawn timber stores carbon for long periods of time,” says Markku Rautio, CEO of HewSaw. “In addition, managed forests uptake carbon more efficiently than unmanaged forests because they remain healthy and growing.”
HewSaw’s products have a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions
“Around 80% of our production is exported. HewSaw® machines are already in operation in 35 countries around the world, and the timber they help to produce annually sequesters around 30 million tons (Mt CO2) of carbon dioxide”, states Rautio.
“We want to lead the way in our industry, both in our products and our operations, and thus joining ABB's Energy Efficiency Movement was an easy decision,” adds Rautio.
HewSaw's sawing machines, sawlines, spare parts and services are designed for efficient processing of raw material from managed forests. The picture shows a sawline unit, a chipping canter, manufactured at the Mäntyharju machine shop. 
"We want to lead the way in our industry, both in terms of our products and our operations, and thus joining ABB's Energy Efficiency Movement was an easy decision," says Markku Rautio, CEO of HewSaw.
The importance of energy efficiency
The company's products are designed and manufactured in Mäntyharju, Finland. In recent years, the sawing machine factory has invested in innovative robots, machine tools and measuring systems to improve quality control.
The energy efficiency of HewSaw® sawing machines is continuously improving, for example by optimizing their power drives. “We have changed some hydraulic drives to electric drives. The efficiency of the remaining hydraulic drives has also been improved with new control technology,” says Rautio. “The hydraulics have the biggest potential for energy savings.”
In the latest sawing machine power unit developed by HewSaw, the pump is being used only when a volumetric flow is required, which generates less heat, and thus the pump operates at a higher efficiency. ABB's motor and inverter take care of the energy efficiency in the background. “The reduced need for cooling is a clear advantage, especially when exporting to warm countries. As a result of our development, we can assist our customers moving towards more sustainable business,” Rautio says.
Sustainable solutions must also be taken into account in HewSaw's own operations. “Our workshop is heated only with bioenergy to eliminate carbon emissions. In addition, our head office is a wooden construction, and we use wood in all possible construction projects to sequester carbon,” says Rautio.
“Increasing energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to mitigate climate change. HewSaw's sawmill solutions use energy-efficient motors and inverters, which have a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions in the sawmill industry around the world,” says Pekka Tiitinen, Managing Director of ABB Finland. “It is a pleasure to have HewSaw, a pioneer in its field, as part of ABB's Energy Efficiency Movement.”
The Energy Efficiency Movement, launched by ABB, is a multi-stakeholder initiative to raise awareness and spur action to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Around 200 organizations are already involved. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy efficiency can deliver a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 40 % over the next 20 years. Energy Efficiency Movement recently published ”Industrial energy efficiency playbook” with 10 actions companies can take to improve their energy efficiency, lower their energy costs and reduce their emissions right now.
With 100 years of roots in wood expertise, HewSaw is developing its solutions with the latest sawing technology, such as machine vision, high-precision measurement and industrial IoT applications, and the resulting efficiency supports sustainable development. With nearly 300 people employed in eight countries, the company started international deliveries in the 1980s, and since then HewSaw machines have been delivered to more than thirty countries on six continents.
