Tartu city & county

Wood product exporters

Sector overviewTartu Region

Milling, wood processing

Pre-fab buildings, log houses

Furniture, wood craft

Made in Tartu, Estonia

A forest nation, reinventing tradition45% of Estonia forested. Economic and construction boom. Added value exports penetrating new markets.

On joining the EU in May 2004, Estonia

celebrated with a popular initiative to

plant one million fir trees. Its success

reflects a growing understanding of the

importance of environment-friendly

forest management as a long-term

resource.

The dominant tree species in the Estonian

forests are pine, birch, spruce and grey

alder. Pine prevails in state forests,

while birch dominates in the private

forests. Estonian forest are 40% state

managed, 37% privately owned, with

the remainder of 23% in the process

of Land Reform.

Forestry managers visiting Estonia are

impressed by the quality of trees – tall

and thick, straight and beautiful. Most

of this has been naturally seeded and is

slow growing in a Nordic climate.

Wood processing has historically been

a mainstay of the Estonian economy.

The international competitiveness in the

industry during the 1990’s was based

on a lower cost base. Since 2000, in

addition to Estonian sources, saw mills are

moving increasingly to processing logs

imported from Russia and Byelorussia

for western markets.

Similar to the technological leap made

in other sectors of the economy, the

flow of new investment has brought

state-of-the-art equipment to all areas

of the wood processing industry.

“ We are one of the many

companies which were formed

in the early days of Estonia

regaining independence, and

have steadily grown in size,

capabilities and standards.

We are now preparing to

grown further and will be

one of the first companies

to set up at the new Raadi

Industrial Park in Tartu.

Ingvar TšizikovChairman as Vinnal

www.emtl.ee Estonian Private Forest Association • www.buildingestonia.com • www.boxer.ee • www.kalmar.ee • www.haserv.ee • www.ilmre.ee • www.puiduari.ee • www.rait.ee • www.stahlhut.ee • www.tarm.ee • www.varasaeveski.ee • www.ecohouse.ee • www.laftehus.ee • www.nord-domus.ee • www.kodumaja.ee • www.ecobuild.ee • www.oskurpuit.ee • www.palmako.ee • www.bangeman.ee

Made in TartuExports from Tartu City and County, 2003

Source: Estonian Statistical Office 2004

20.4 Furniture, mattresses, details

21.9 Wood, wood products (except furniture)

8.7 Transport equipment8.8 Metal, metal products

8.6 Textiles, clothing8.2 Building material, glass7.4 Machines, equipment,

5.0 Footware6.0 Chemicals, plastic, rubber

5.1 Food products, other

0

20

40

60

80

100

% of exports

Forestry, saw mills and wood processingThird largest and one of the fastest growing industries in Estonia.

Upon Estonia regaining independence

in 1991, the industry concentrated on

exporting mainly unsawn timber to

Scandinavian and western European

markets. This was because at the time

there were no saw-mills in Estonia

with modern equipment capable of

producing sawn products of the quality

required for export markets.

During the last decade, a multitude

of new wood processing companies

have emerged. Most of these are small

privately owned businesses, often

growing fast on the broad base of the

Estonian wood industry. The construction

boom of the last decade has fuelled the

growth of the wood based industries.

A background of tough competition

and new subcontracting practices now

place Estonian companies in a position

to produce high quality machined parts

and construction components.

Wood processing is now the third largest

industry in Estonia. During the last

few years there has been a dramatic

turnaround in the export-import

patterns. Today the vast majority of wood

is imported (from Russia) while Estonia

is exporting more processed products;

profiled hard and soft woods, chipboard,

fibreboard and plywood. Gluewood

has seen the most remarkable relative

increase in exports, while furniture,

houses and sawn material account for

about 60% of exports in 2003.

Forestry, saw mills, wood processingLeading companies

RaitVara SaeveskiIlmreStahlhutLemeks

www.emtl.ee Estonian Private Forest Association • www.buildingestonia.com • www.boxer.ee • www.kalmar.ee • www.haserv.ee • www.ilmre.ee • www.puiduari.ee • www.rait.ee • www.stahlhut.ee • www.tarm.ee • www.varasaeveski.ee • www.ecohouse.ee • www.laftehus.ee • www.nord-domus.ee • www.kodumaja.ee • www.ecobuild.ee • www.oskurpuit.ee • www.palmako.ee • www.bangeman.ee

“Rait has grown into one of the

most modern sawmilling and

planing companies in Europe

in reacent years. In 2003 we

doubled production since

introducing our new softwood

planing line. We produce and

export worldwide wooden flooring,

panelling for interior finishing and

exterior siding as well as decking

boards for terraces. We aim to

have a product that speaks

for itself, followed up with

quick and exact communication.”

Ivar Dembovski Managing Director

as RaiT

“We have pushed the technology of

prefabricated timber frame houses

to a new level and now have higher

quality standards than demanded

in Scandinavian markets - and we

do this while remaining highly cost

competitive. We export over 95%

of production, with our dominant

market continuing to be Norway.

House sections are built at the

factory in Tartu, transported,

then assembled and completed

on site. We offer a truely

‘turn-key’ solution.

Lembit Lump Managing Director KodumajaTehase As

Prefab buildings and log houses Innovative products from innovative production processes with many cost and quality advantages

Log house building is a centuries

old tradition and technology of

this forest nation. Typically Nordic

pine is used for its durability and

quality. Houses are built to order,

from either machine milled logs or

hand-made logs, then taken apart,

exported and reassembled on site

by the Estonian craftsmen. Northern

European countries have been the

main markets for log houses where

they have become architectural

fashion and are seen as fitting with

an ecological life style.

Another form of house exports are

modular house units which are built

in-factory, transported and assembled

as up to 5 storey apartment complexes,

mostly in Scandinavian markets.

Prefabricated houses is a thriving export

niche market benefiting from the a

combination of exacting craftsmanship

on a competitive cost base. Kodumaja

has grown rapidly to become one of

the leading producers in Estonia and

exports 95% of its prefab houses.

In addition to living houses, several

companies export related products

such as garden buildings, saunas,

decks, garden furniture and childrens

play frames.

The prefabricated house builders are

supported by a wide range of wood and

lumber producers in Tartu county, from

saw mills to timber drying, planing and

cutting of profiled boards. In addition

to locally made doors and windows,

the full turn-key prefabricated houses

are supplied with built-in furniture

made locally.

Lumber product, pre-fab housesLeading companies

KodumajatehaseRPMPalmeko EhitusEstiske LaftehusRannu Bangeman

www.ristiku.com • www.rpm.ee • www.elta.ee • www.kurhela.ee • www.lasita.ee • www.hot.ee/naripuit • www.parkwood.ee • www.hot.ee/puhjaliim • www.sturm.ee • www.vinnal.ee • www.arens.ee • www.bdmobel.com • www.wako.ee • www.lillman-moobel.ee • www.puidumeister.ee • www.tarmeko.ee • www.tiksoja.ee • www.gomab.ee • www.wermo.ee • www.fest-forest.ee • www.woodwell.ee

“BD-Design is the largest producer

of recliner chairs and sofas

(leather and fabric) in Estonia.

With 35 years as a producer

we are represented on the

European and American markets.

We export 100% of over products.

We produce all parts under the

same roof; metal, wood and

soft parts (polyurethane), that

makes BD to a flexibility producer.

We are now in an interesting

period of expansion with

new models and technology.”

Joakim Dahlqvist maRKeTing diRecToR

As BD-Design

House details, furniture, wood craftFurniture and furnishings make up for about 20% of Tartu and Tartu county exports

Doors, windows and furniture

manufacturers are extending into

export markets.

One of the largest employers in Tartu,

Tarmeko, a furniture maker with 900

employees exports more than 80% of its

production, mostly to northern Europe.

It has 3 main factories specializing

in solid pine furniture, upholstered

furniture and form pressed veneer. In

addition to its wide consumer range of

wooden and soft furniture, Tarmeko

has also won several major contracts

for fitted furniture to bar-restaurants

in the USA and on cruise ships.

Vinnal is notable for being one of

the few companies in the Baltic states

which combines hand carved details

into its fullwood stairs and doors. The

craftsmanship, quality and style which

they offer positions Vinnal in the luxury

interiors market, both modern and

retro styles.

Arens-mööbel is one of the leading

manufacturers of fitted kitchen furniture

in Estonia and continues to expand its

production facilities in tartu county. In

addition to a chain of outlets in Estonia,

Arens currently exports fitted furniture

to Finland, Sweden and Norway.

Tiksoja Puidugrupp is a contract

manufacturer of solid pine furniture

for bedrooms with a capacity for 60000

beds annually. The company’s customers

are leading mail order and wholesaler

companies in the UK, France, Holland,

Germany and Denmark.

Lasita Aken and Finak are largest

producers of windows and doors in

Tartu county.

House details, furniture, wood craftLeading companies

TarmekoVinnalArens-mööbelTiksoja PuidugruppLasita AkenFinakBD Design

www.ristiku.com • www.rpm.ee • www.elta.ee • www.kurhela.ee • www.lasita.ee • www.hot.ee/naripuit • www.parkwood.ee • www.hot.ee/puhjaliim • www.sturm.ee • www.vinnal.ee • www.arens.ee • www.bdmobel.com • www.wako.ee • www.lillman-moobel.ee • www.puidumeister.ee • www.tarmeko.ee • www.tiksoja.ee • www.gomab.ee • www.wermo.ee • www.fest-forest.ee • www.woodwell.ee

Wood industry in Tartu Region, Estonia, selected companies

Sawn timberBoxer Puidu Eksport Ltd.Betooni 9, 51014 Tartu Tel: +372 730 7913Products: sawn timberboxer@boxer.ee www.boxer.ee

Dawenport LLCTähe 127, 50113 TartuTel: + 372 7 366 872Products: sawmilling and planing of wood; impregnation of wooddawenport@hot.ee

Flainest Ltd.Teguri 21, 50107 Tartu Tel: +372 741 7349Products: sawn timber flainest@hot.ee

KalMar & Pojad LtdKokora, Alatskivi v., 60201, TartumaaTel: + 372 7 452649Products: hardwood sawn material, kilndrying and planingkaater@kalmar.ee www.kalmar.ee

Kodumets LLCHeki 2, Ülenurme, 61701 TartumaaTel: +372 7 412 343Products: edged and unedged sawn timber

kodumets@hot.ee

Ha Serv LLCReola küla, Ülenurme vald, 61701 Tartumaa Tel: +372 730 1810Products: boardsand planks for bath-house platform, mouldings and wallpanelling for exterior and interior usehaserv@haserv.ee www.haserv.ee

Ilmre Ltd.Ilmatsalu küla, Tähtvere vald, 61401 Tartumaa Tel: +372 749 9252Products: sawn timber, mouldings, EUR,1/2 EUR and FIN pallet collarsilmre@online.ee www.ilmre.ee

Lemeks MT Ltd.Betooni 9, 51014 Tartu Tel: +372 738 6900Products: sawn timberlemeks@lemeks.ee

Metsanurk LLCRoiu, Haaslava vald, 62102 TartumaaTel: + 372 735 1086; +372 736 2479Products: sawn timber, wooden pallets

oymetsanurk@hot.ee

Nason Davis Eesti LLCVallikraavi 2, 51014 Tartu Tel: +372 744 0435Products: sawn timbertimber@nasondavis.ee

Nurme Puit LLCReola küla, Ülenurme vald, 61701 Tartumaa Tel: +372 741 5785Products: sawn timbernurmik@hot.ee

Puiduäri Ltd.Tartu mnt. 39B, Elva, 61506 TartumaaTel: +372 735 3605Products: edged or unedged sawn timber, tailormade doors, stairs, wooden shields, reglets and battens (also non-standard and rounded), wooden details for fireplaces etc.puiduari@puiduari.ee www.puiduari.ee

Rait Ltd.Reola küla, Ülenurme vald, 61701 Tartumaa Tel: +372 730 0420Products: sawn timber, standard and special planed products (interior panelling, flooring etc.)rait@rait.ee www.rait.ee

Stahlhut Ltd.Tila küla, Tartu vald, 60501 Tartumaa Tel: +372 730 3450Products: timber drying and planingstahlhut@kodu.ee www.stahlhut.ee

Tarm Ltd.Puiestee 5-4, Elva, 61504 TartumaaTel: +372 734 9991Products: sawn timber, planed products info@tarm.ee www.tarm.ee

Vara Saeveski Ltd.Vara küla, Vara vald, 60401 Tartumaa Tel: +372 731 5843Products: sawn softwood, edge glued productsinfo@varasaeveski.ee www.varasaeveski.ee

Pre-fab, loghousesEstlog House Ltd.Räni Põik 7, Tartu 50403, EstoniaTel: +372 740 4142Products: custom-made wooden houses, saunas and summerhouses

ecohouse@ecohouse.ee www.ecohouse.ee

Estiske Laftehus LLCTehase 16, 50107 Tartu Tel: +372 730 8495Products: custom-made round beam houses laftehus@laftehus.ee www.laftehus.ee

Euro Trade Agency LLCTeguri 30, 51013 Tartu Tel: +372 738 1734Products: custom-made wooden houses, saunas and summerhousesinfo@eurotrade.ee www.nord-domus.ee

Kodumajatehase Ltd.Betooni 2, 51014 Tartu Tel: +372 738 5999Products: factory-prepared timber-frame private dwellings, terrace houses, residential blocks, saunasinfo@kodumaja.ee www.kodumaja.ee

Lasita Maja Ltd.Tähe 116, 50113 Tartu Tel: +372 7 362 663Products: custom-made round beam houses, saunas and summerhouses lasita@lasita.ee www.lasita.ee

ÖkoEhituse Ltd.Võnnu pk.9, 62401 TartumaaTel: +372 735 1370Products: Log profiles and detailsecobuild@hot.ee www.ecobuild.ee

Oskur Puit Ltd.Koosa küla, Vara vald, 60402 Tartumaa Tel: +372 745 3221, +372 5615 8382 Products: summer houses made of milled square timber, sawn timberoskurpuit@oskurpuit.ee www.oskurpuit.ee

Palmako Ehitus Ltd.Betooni 9, 51014 Tartu Tel: +372 730 3488Products: custom-made round beam houses, saunas and summerhouses contact@palmako.ee www.palmako.ee

Rannu Bangeman Ltd.Vallapalu küla, Rannu vald, 61101 Tartumaa Tel: +372 745 4247Products: crossbeam houses, saunas and cottages of sawn and round beaminfo@bangeman.ee www.bangeman.ee

Ristiku KV LLCVariku 8, 50110 Tartu Tel: +372 734 6535Products: custom-made round beam houses, saunas and summerhousesristiku@ristiku.comwww.ristiku.com

RPM Ltd.Kruusa 29, 61503 Elva Tel: +372 735 6653Products: custom-made round beam houses, saunas and summerhousesrpm@rpm.ee www.rpm.ee

Wooden productsElta Puit LLCPikk 43, 61505 ElvaTel: +372 734 6694Products: wooden doors, windows and furnituresales@elta.ee www.elta.ee

Finak Ltd.Lähte, Tartu vald, 60503 Tartumaa Tel: +372 749 7256, + 372 730 3465Products: wooden doors and windowstkurhela@estpak.ee www.kurhela.ee

Handel Puit LLCVõnnu alevik, Võnnu vald, 62401 Tartumaa Tel: +372 735 2026Products: wooden doors and windows handelpuit@handelpuit.ee

Ixodes LLC Liiva 41, 50303 Tartu Tel: +372 733 3713Products: wooden handicraftou.ixodes@neti.ee

KR Priit Ltd.Kesk 9, Rõngu alevik, Rõngu vald, 61001 Tartumaa Tel: +372 745 9307Products: wooden pallets krpriit@online.ee

Lasita AkenTähe 116, 51013 TartuTel. 372 736 2791Products: doors and windows.lasita@lasita.ee www.lasita.ee

Nari Puit LLCRingtee 41 , TartuTel: +372 7 362 656Products: doors, windows, stairs and wooden furniture

naripuit@hot.ee www.hot.ee/naripuit

Parkwood Industries LLCReola küla, Ülenurme vald, 61701 Tartumaa Tel: +372 730 0430Products: softwood garden products (components for fences, garden houses, furniture, flower boxes etc.) marko.laanes@rait.ee www.parkwood.ee

Puhja Liimpuidu Ltd.Vihavu küla, Puhja vald, 61301 Tartumaa Tel: +372 730 4360, + 372 745 1484Products: NACE 20209 (wooden details etc.)liimpuidu@hot.ee www.hot.ee/puhjaliim

Savorito LLCPuiestee 2f, 50303 TartuTel: +372 7 401 430Products: wooden doors and windows, (NACE 20303 products)tomek@hot.ee

Sturm Puidutööstus LLCVoika 14A, Nõo alevik, Nõo vald, 61601 Tartumaa Tel: +372 745 5484Products: Spruce edge-glued panels sturm@sturm.ee www.sturm.ee

Vinnal Ltd.Särgla küla, Vara vald, 60401 Tartumaa Tel: +372 736 7553Products: wooden doors, moldings, stairs, furniture, sculptures, wood engraving vinnal@vinnal.ee www.vinnal.ee

FurnitureArens-mööbel Ltd.Rästa 8, 50403 Tartu Tel: +372 730 0960Products: kitchen furniturearens@arens.ee www.arens.ee

BD Design LLC Jänese 2, 51009 Tartu Tel: +372 730 3100Products: manufacture of recliner chairs and sofasinfo@bdmobel.com www.bdmobel.com

Fratel Trade LLCTuru 63, 50106 Tartu Tel: +372 7 384 231Products: soft furnitureraivo@kamee.ee

Jaan Sild Wako Värkstuba – private entrepreneurKolga küla, Nõo vald, 61601 Tartumaa Tel: +372 735 1391Products: wooden furniture and doorsInfo@wako.ee www.wako.ee

Lillman Ltd.Käo tn. 1, 50404 Tartu Tel: +372 742 2635Products: custom-made furniture lillman@hot.ee www.lillman-moobel.ee

Pondeli LLC Sinika 15-14, 50110 Tartu Tel: +372 521 7950Products: office and sales area furniture pondeli@hot.ee

Puidumeister LLCKülitse küla, Ülenurme vald, 61702 Tartumaa Tel: +372 735 1285Products: wooden furniture, doors, windows, stairspuidumeister@puidumeister.ee www.puidumeister.e

Tarmeko Ltd.Sõbra 56, 51013 Tartu Tel: +372 747 4580Products: wooden and soft furnituretarmeko@ tarmeko.ee www.tarmeko.ee

Tiksoja Puidugrupp Ltd.Tiksoja, Tähtvere vald, 61401 Tartumaa Tel: +372 730 1860Products: bedroom furniture from pine and birchinfo@tiksoja.ee www.tiksoja.ee

Valga GOMAB Mööbel Ltd.Kuperjanovi 79, 68207 Valga Tel: +372 766 8360Products: wooden furniture from pine (manufacture of chairs and seats and parts thereof) gomab@gomab.ee www.gomab.ee

Vilbel LLC Õnne 26-12, 50114 Tartu Tel: +372 742 2913Products: wooden furniture don.puit@mail.ee

Wermo Ltd.Räpina mnt. 12, 65620 VõruTel: +372 786 8100, + 372 786 8115Products: home and office wooden furniture wermo@wermo.ee www.wermo.ee

Forestry managementFest-forest Ltd.Heki 21, 50115 Tartu Tel: +372 730 3535Products: Forestry management, forestry investmentfest-forest@fest-forest.ee www.fest-forest.ee

Woodwell GruppRiia 136, 51014 Tartu Tel: +372 738 1416Products: forestry managementwoodwell@woodwell.ee www.woodwell.ee

Helsinki

Tallinn

•Tartu

St. Petersburg

RigaLATVIA

LITHUANIA

RUSSIA

BELORUS

POLAND

FINLANDSWEDEN

Vilnius

Stockholm

Tartu

TallinnNarva

Pärnu

Kohtla-Järve

ESTONIA

N 5

8°22

’

E 26°40’

Estonian ChambEr of CommErCE and industry tartu offiCE

Lai 6, Tartu 51004, EstoniaTel. +372 744 2196 tartu@koda.ee www.koda.ee

tartu City GovErnmEnt dEpartmEnt of businEss dEvElopmEnt

Küüni 5, Tartu 51004, EstoniaTel. +372 736 1196 evo@raad.tartu.ee www.tartu.ee

tartu County GovErnmEnt

Riia 15, Tartu 51010, Estonia Tel. +372 730 5200 mv@tartumaa.ee www.tartumaa.ee

tartu businEss advisory sErviCE Riia 15b, Tartu 51010, EstoniaTel. +372 742 8402 bas@tartu.bas.ee www.tartu.ee/arinouandla

Estonian forEst industriEs assoCiation

Viljandi mnt 18A, 11216 Tallinn, EstoniaTel. +372 656 7643 info@emtl.ee www.emtl.ee

Estonian WoodWorkinG fEdEration

Kiriku 6, 10130 Tallinn, EstoniaTel. +372 648 9002 info@furnitureindustry.ee www.furnitureindustry.ee

Estonian WoodEn housEs assoCiation

Rajakeskus Tabasalu, 76901 Harju maakond, EstoniaTel. +372 605 4891 info@woodhouse.ee www.woodest.com

www.tartu.eewww.tartumaa.ee

Ministry of Finance www.fin.ee • Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.wm.ee • http://visitestonia.com • www.weekend.ee • Estonian Trade Council www.etc.ee • Baltics Regional Node www.ciesin.ee

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Estonia in brief Area: 45000 km²

Population: 1.45 million Capital: Tallinn (415,000) Other major cities: Tartu (100,000), Narva (75,000), Kohtla-Järve (55,000), Pärnu (52,000) Head of state: President of the Republic – Arnold Rüütel Official language: Estonian Foreign languages: English, German, Russian, Finnish Main religion: Evangelist Lutheran Government: Parliamentary Republic Single Chamber Parliament of 101 members Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) =100 sents Exchange rate: EEK 8 = DEM 1, (1992–1998) EEK 15.6466 = Euro 1 (since 1999) GDP Growth: 5.8% (2002) Local time: GMT +2 hours Average temp. range: -3.7°C in January and +18.4°C in July Flight times, Tallinn: Helsinki 35 minutes, Stockholm 1 hour Prague 1 hour 10 minutes Copenhagen 1 hour 30 minutes Moscow 1 hour 40 minutes Amsterdam 2 hours 20 minutes London 2 hours 45 minutes Dublin 3 hours 15 minutes Distances from Tartu: Tallinn 186km, Narva 184km, Pärnu 178km, Riga 250km, St. Petersburg 315km

Ethnic composition of Tartu: Estonians 76%, Russian 19%, others 5%

Published with the support of Enterprise Estonia, Tartu City Government and Tartu Business Advisory Services