Good Practice - Project
Sustainable forestry – purchase of logging equipment to ensure the preparation of energy wood
Acquiring a state-of-the art mini harvester to provide a new service contributing to the enhanced sustainability of new forests over short-term profits.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6A: Diversification & job creation
RDP Measure
- M06: Farm & business development
Beneficiary type
- Small-Micro Enterprise
Summary
The Latvian forest management company Zanderi has successfully executed a strategic initiative aimed at establishing a pioneering service within the region, dedicated to the maintenance of growing forests. This undertaking highlights the organisation's commitment to sustainable practices, thereby enhancing the long-term viability of timber resources.
The acquisition of a state-of-the-art mini harvester was instrumental in enabling the organisation to provide an innovative service across the region, a rarity not commonly found elsewhere in the country. With the new innovative machinery, the organisation is now capable of maintaining over 60 hectares of nascent forests annually.
Through concerted efforts in working with new-growth forests, the company's experts are actively championing sustainable forest maintenance practices. Simultaneously, they are fostering awareness among forest owners regarding the importance of adopting sustainable approaches. This multifaceted approach demonstrates the organisation's dedication to environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility.
Results
- The acquisition of a mini harvester has created a unique opportunity for the company to introduce a novel service in the region, a rarity in the broader national context. The strategic investment in new machinery has enabled the company to provide a forest maintenance service covering over 60 hectares of new forests annually.
- In tandem with the operational expansion of the company, new staff has been employed to oversee and execute the relevant tasks.
Promoter
Zanderi
Funding
- Total budget: 230 697 (EUR)
- RDP contr.: 82 460 (EUR)
- Private/own: 148 237 (EUR)
Ressources
Good Practice Report - Sustainable forestry – purchase of logging equipment to ensure the preparation of energy wood
(PDF – 1.16 Mo)
Context
The "Zanderi" forest management company is located in Rauna, Latvia. Launched in 2014, the company has evolved from a three-person team into a workforce of 22 people in 2023. It offers comprehensive solutions in forest management, ranging from supporting clients with their legal documentation, to the care and cultivation of entire forests. The company is equipped with a diverse array of forestry machinery, with a particular emphasis on catering for the growing demand for services related to newly established forests. “Zanderi” has successfully executed numerous projects in this context. This has often required the support of public sector funding, given that the company seeks to operate in line with sustainable practices, while the required machinery for such projects usually does not yield sufficient immediate financial returns to make the projects economically viable.
The first felling of a forest can take place between 15 to 40 years after planting or restoration. This long timespan indicates the need for a long-term forest cultivation plan to ensure the forest’s overall health and growth prospects in terms of its future productivity and profitability.
During the initial stages of developing a new forest, good stock maintenance is of crucial importance. This can be conducted manually or – more efficiently - with the use of mini harvesters. However, this machinery is expensive, limiting the profitability of such forest maintenance services. To make such a service available to the region for the first time, the strategic decision was made to seek project funding.
Objectives
The main project objective was to establish a pioneering service within the region, focusing on the maintenance of newly developed growth forests. By purchasing a mini harvester, this initiative was designed to underpin sustainable practices in forest management, thereby enhancing the long-term quality of timber. Simultaneously, the project aimed to diversify the company's portfolio, broadening its range of services on offer, in response to evolving market demands.
Activities
Project activities included:
- Purchasing a mini harvester. This was a strategic investment that facilitated the initial maintenance cut in forests, in line with sustainable practices. The acquisition not only enabled the company to conduct essential maintenance operations in a manner conducive to long-term forest health, but also addressed challenges associated with sourcing specialised human resources for specific tasks.
- Positioning “Zanderi” as one of the expert forest management businesses in Latvia offering a specialised service of young tree forest maintenance through the use of a mini harvester. This machinery is particularly useful in situations where large harvesters may not be operationally viable.
- Extending the “Zanderi” commitment beyond operational aspects by providing educational outreach activities. Company staff actively engaged with forest owners, raising awareness of the importance of sustainable forest management. This proactive approach aimed to support the high-quality development of forests and included advice about the economic viability of even smaller wood resources.
Main results
- The acquisition of a mini harvester has created a unique opportunity for the company to introduce a novel service in the region, a rarity in the broader national context. The strategic investment in new machinery has enabled the company to provide a forest maintenance service covering over 60 hectares of new forests annually.
- In tandem with the operational expansion of the company, new staff has been employed to oversee and execute the relevant tasks.
- After completion of the project and a thorough assessment of regional requirements for the new service, the company purchased an additional second-hand mini harvester to address the growing demand for its new services. With the incorporation of this supplementary harvester, "Zanderi" has substantially enhanced its operational capacity, now ensuring efficient maintenance across approximately 120 hectares of forest per annum.
Key lessons
- Seek to collaborate, learn, and share knowledge for improved sustainability. In collaboration with renowned forestry experts, the company has embarked on a mission to advocate for sustainable maintenance practices—an initiative not widely embraced within the industry. Now "Zanderi" is dedicated to raising awareness among forest owners and encouraging them to perceive forests as a long-term investment, rather than a pursuit for immediate financial gains. Through these concerted efforts, the company contributes to changing the mindsets of forest owners towards prioritising the well-being and sustainability of forests over short-term profits.