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Overview of Veneer and Plywood Production

Topics

  • Introduction
  • Pricing of Veneer and Plywood

    Introduction

    The veneer manufacturing process, cuts the log into peelable lengths (see Pic 1), removes the bark, and places the veneer bolt into the lathe. The lathe carriage moves forward as the spindles rotate the bolt. As the full length veneer knife slices through the wood fibre, the spinning bolt becomes a veneer ribbon.

    Picture 1:- Chainsaw cross cutting logs to bolts

    The veneer ribbon is transported downstream, clipped into selected widths, and sorted onto loads by width and moisture content. The veneer is then dried to a predetermined moisture content, usually 3-6%. The drying process stabilises the veneer dimension, strengthens the fibres, and prepares the wood for gluing. The veneer is next sorted by width and grade, and taped or spliced if the layons need repair. The veneer is then ready for panel laying. The veneers are then prepared for gluing and pressing into plywood. After pressing the plywood is conditioned and finished and packed for shipment.

    Pricing of Veneer and Plywood

    Difficulty occurs in producing the panel profitably, eg the softwood plywood market with exception of certain proprietary products, is essentially a free market. Panel products are sold in much the same manner as other agricultural products, there is no set year round price. The seller usually sell at the highest possible price and the buyer purchases at the lowest possible cost. Production volume and demand are the key. Baldwin (1981) states that the answer to the profitability crisis is high yield management, a management concept that seeks the most veneer from the log and optimum result from people and their equipment.

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