8 | News
New French LVL factory takes shape
site, which is expected to have an LVL production capacity of 100,000m3
. Above: The new LVL production facility takes shape
A new €100m LVL manufacturing facility in France is taking shape in Auvergne.
The prefect of Haute-Loire
visited the construction site of the future industrial production unit of LVL beams
and panels – an initiative led by the Thebault and CBD BOIS groups.
The State is providing
€17m towards the project through the France 2030 Programme. Eventually, 85 jobs will be created on the
Hexion acquires AI specialist Smartech
quality, all while spurring sustainable growth. “Our partnership with Hexion will further amplify the reach and impact of Smartech’s AI technologies across the globe, bringing immediate value to manufacturers who must balance the challenges of cost control, plant modernisation, and environmental
Above: Smartech’s SmartMDI technology
Global adhesives specialist Hexion Inc has announced the acquisition of Smartech, a leading Israeli-based developer of AI-driven autonomous manufacturing solutions. The strategic acquisition,
Hexion’s first in a decade, marks a step in the company’s efforts to revolutionise the manufacturing ecosystem, harnessing cutting-edge AI and machine learning technology to drive gains in production efficiency, cost, sustainability, and product quality – in the wood processing industry and beyond.
“This a defining moment for Hexion as we integrate
Smartech’s world-class artificial intelligence and automated manufacturing capabilities with our unmatched expertise in resins and wood processing,” said Michael Lefenfeld, president and CEO of Hexion. “As global manufacturing industries continue to grapple with rising raw material costs, supply chain pressures, and environmental changes, Hexion’s investment in AI- driven innovation positions us at the forefront of smart manufacturing. With this technology, Hexion and Smartech will help customers optimise production, reduce waste and deliver superior
WBPI | February/March 2025 |
www.wbpionline.com
responsibility,” added Hanoch Magid, CEO of Smartech. Smartech’s award- winning AI and autonomous manufacturing technologies combine artificial intelligence, advanced control systems, and process optimisation algorithms. The engineered systems, including SmartWAX, SmartPF, and SmartMDI, integrate with Hexion’s product portfolio, strengthening the company’s leadership in the adhesives, construction, and building materials sectors. The financial terms of the
Smartech acquisition were not disclosed. Smartech will continue to operate as an independent business entity servicing its customers as it does currently.
Leading French plywood producer the Thebault Group, which currently has five processing sites and a turnover of €100m annually, said the new facility is intended to use silver fir logs, for the purpose of manufacturing Lamibois branded LVL panels and beams.
The new site will see the
construction of a 25,000m2 factory on 15 hectares of land located in the Sud Auvergne Business Park, in Lempdes- sur-Allagnon. The first phase involves a 70,000m3 production capacity.
initial This new production unit is
part of the Group’s strategy of expanding its range, in synergy with the species already processed, while securing its wood supply for the coming decades.
These products will bear
the PEFC and Bois de France sustainable management labels, and global
certifications, all of which are popular in the construction sectors for which LVL beams and panels are intended. The Group is sharing its
investment with a first partner, the company CBD Bois, which specialises in sawing softwood, based in Craponnes- sur-Arzon. Thebault Group will represent at least 75% of the shareholders.
Siempelkamp listed in Czech top 100 companies
Siempelkamp CZ in Blatnice has been included in a listing of the “Czech Republic’s Top 100 Companies 2024”. Only 10 companies from the area of mechanical engineering received the country’s prestigious award. The award is given on the basis of a complex set of criteria. These major on a company’s excellence in areas such as production processes, digitalisation of production, material flow, organisation of production and cleanliness of the environment. Nominated companies were evaluated by the Czech Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and technical experts. “Our location in the Czech Republic plays an important role in the Siempelkamp production network,” said Siempelkamp CEO Martin Scherrer. “The award illustrates that
our team in Blatnice is a strong link in our service chain and fully supports our quality standards with its work.”
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