News
Visit of auditors of the LLC «EuroPartner»
In February 2007 auditors from the LLC “EuroPartner” have visited Ruslesprom for the purpose of preliminary stage of audit. Ruslesprom intends to certificate its Forest Management (rented area is 75.470 thous. ha) and Chain of Custody in compliance with principles and criteria of FSC.
After this preaudit experts of EuroPartner gave some recommendations, and now Ruslesprom complies with these recommendations.
Approximate date of the main audit is July 2007.
Demand forecast for major imported lumber 2007
Japan Foreign Timber General Supply and Demand Liaison Conference, which consists of Japan Lumber Importers' Association, Japan Southsea Lumber Conference, Japan North American Lumber Conference, Japan Russian Wood Products Association and Japan New Zealand Lumber Conference) announced of late its estimate on the Japan's total demand for major imported timber for 2007. According to the report, 10,427,000 m3 of imported logs in 2007 is estimated and it increased 0.8% more than the 2006 presumption of 10,341,000 m3, while 8,187,000 m3 of imported lumber is estimated, and it shows a fall of 2% against the previous year's presumption, 8,351,000 ?. Estimated new housing starts in 2007, which gives great influence on the wood demand will be slightly decreased from last year to 1,270,000 units.
Estimation of North American lumber demand shows a decrease to 3,347,000 m3 from 2006 presumption 3,471,000 m3. The reduction rate is 3.6% and it became smaller though the decrease of North American wood products supply is enormous in comparison with 3,943,000 m3 of 2004 shipment. However, the feeling that a part of American wood product having reasonable price came about among the situation of European and Russian product price rising in 2006. How to make use of this merit in 2007 should be watched.
The demand estimate on European lumber is 2,900,000 m3 almost equivalent the previous year presumption. The soaring demand increase stopped, but positioning of European materials in the market is completely established. But a price of sawn lumber rose with high spot price of European logs in 2006, and cases which the demand was took by a domestic cedar became a topic. If the high price of products continues in 2007, a shift of demand to the other timber may be developed.
Russian lumber is so popular in the market, but 1,000,000 m3 with only a small increase year-on-year is estimated due to the price rise and the logs shortage in the producing center. The problems such as the price and capacity of the products supply avoid its demand expansion.
Southsea lumber will be demanded 500,000 m3 and New Zealand and Chili lumber will be 440,000 m3, those figures are almost the same over the last year. The market for the both items is balanced contraction.
Japan’s Demand for Major Imported Timber
| 2006 Results (presumption) | 2007 Estimates | |
| Total | 18 692 | 18 614 |
| Logs | 10 341 | 10 427 |
| Southsea-African | 1 290 | 1 313 |
| North American | 3 401 | 3 414 |
| Russia | 4 789 | 4 800 |
| New Zealand-Chilean | 861 | 900 |
| European | - | - |
| Lumber | 8 351 | 8 187 |
| North American | 3 471 | 3 347 |
| Southsea | 515 | 500 |
| Russia | 968 | 1 000 |
| New Zealand-Chilean | 438 | 440 |
| European | 2 959 | 2 900 |
The New Year holidays are near at hand
It is time to sum up the results of the year 2006. That is not to say, the expiring year was very easy; however definite results were achieved, which also will fructify in the future.
Against the year 2005 the felling yield has increased 3.1 thous.m3 (a 6% growth) in 2006; and logs supply to the saw-mill – 19.5 thous.m3 (a 47% growth). Fixed assets of the company in three quarters of 2006 have shown a 60% rise. Some new units of harvesting technique and log trucks were purchased. Delivery items and quantity were agreed with customers for the next year.
Ruslesprom top management thanks its business partners, clients and the company’s team for a powerful backing and understanding.
On the New Year's Eve Ruslesprom congratulates all its business partners and wishes peace and agreement in your home, solid health and wellbeing, optimism and longevity.
FSC certification
To date forest management certification under concepts and criteria of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is world-famous and popular in Russia. As of October, 1st 2005 total certified Russian forest area amounted 6.36 million hectare. So, Russia’s taken the 3d place in the world with its area of certified forests.
Assessment of chain-of-custody system proves of “clearness” of wood products and gives the right to mark production with a FSC sign.
Nowadays Ruslesprom focuses attention on this matter and pretends to FM (Forest Management) and CoC (Chain of Custody) certificates.
Auditor of the company is limited liability corporation «EuroPartner», which is the first Russian company, accredited by FSC for FSC certification of forest users in June 2006.
First deliveries of euro-base moulding and door trim
In November 2006 took place first deliveries of euro-base moulding and door moulding, which production started in October 2006. The main market for these wood products is Novosibirsk (Russia).
New product — «nuki»
In October 2006 Ruslesprom sawmill started the production of a new type of production named «nuki» for further it exporting to Japan. This type of wood products is S4S board (17mm x 90/105 mm), applied in house construction. Nuki resists the lateral force and gives flexibility in the joints of construction.
New types of goods — euro-base moulding and door trim
In October 2006 JSC «Ruslesprom» plans to start the production of new types of profile merchandise such as euro-base moulding and door moulding. The main reason for such decision is numerous demands of clients of the company. Currently, preparatory work for the release of new goods takes place.
The company has started realization of the investment project on escalating production capacities
Realization of the schema of the company regarding the expansion of the production is being actively conducted. In 2006 the firm has already started the realization of the investment project on escalating production capacities and, consequently, the increase of the output of finished goods. The reach of the scheduled production indicators is expected in December 2006 after the accumulation of sufficient amount of raw materials (since the active harvesting period in Siberian region begins after November due to seasonal reasons).
Regarding the «cleanliness» of the timber production origin
«The Law on Promoting Green Purchases», accepted by the government of Japan, has come into its force on April 1 of this year. And today members of the Japan Lumber Importers' Association (JLIA) are obliged to represent the certificates confirming legality of timber cutting. Thus, the optimal variant for the Japanese companies is granting of the certificates of the world-widely recognized organizations by Russian forest users. However, since reception of such certificates can take from half a year up to several years, the association offers a so-called method of «the Intrabranch certification done by the companies themselves». For confirmation of legality of an origin of timber goods under the given scheme it is necessary to provide a solid package of documents including: logging tickets, waybills, the cargo customs declaration, fytosanitory certificates and others.
Nowadays, our company actively prosecutes subjects of forest management certification. Plans of the company include purchase of FSC certificate. Before the reception of such certificate the company will confirm «cleanliness» of prepared timber and timber goods, which will be done independently by providing the relevant documentation to the Japanese partners confirming both legality of timber logging, and conformity of activity of the company to principles of steady and inexhaustible forest utilization and to the purposes of policy of preservation of an environment. At present time of JSC «Ruslesprom» already works with Japanese timber importers in the specified direction.
The general director of JSC «Ruslesprom» became the gentleman of an award «Patron of art» — «the Silver Cross» of the rank V
The general director of JSC «Ruslesprom» Sergey Kovalevich was awarded an order «Patron of art» — «the Silver Cross» of the rank V. The award is founded by International Welfare fund «Patrons of art of Century» with the purpose to express social recognition of merits to citizens and the organizations, whose socially-significant activity renders beneficial influence on development of the society.
Solemn ceremony of delivery of the National Public Premium «the Patron of art and the Philanthropist of Russia — 2005» took place on February 28, 2006 in the Big Hall of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The ceremony is the largest event in a public life of the country. Outstanding figures of science and art, the large businessmen leading politicians are involved in its participation.
Sergey Kovalevich is mentioned among winners of the premium and gentlemen of the award on the site of the Fund.