Improving wood supply logistics
The objective of the EU-funded 'Flexible wood supply chain' (FLEXWOOD) project was to develop and build a novel logistical system, incorporating better information on wood resources and enhanced optimisation models. This would enable more efficient and adequate responses to the demands of industrial sectors. Within the FLEXWOOD concept, solutions for value recovery opportunities were tested, adapted or developed. Extensive research has been conducted into forest resource inventory, harvest and transport, as well as efficient mill production. The new logistical system links these areas by making use of information technologies. To test the practical implementation of the final FLEXWOOD model, demonstrations were arranged in Germany, France, Poland and Sweden. Researchers compared the regular wood supply chain to the FLEXWOOD wood supply chain and found that most indicators were improved in the FLEXWOOD scenario. The most important result is a reduction in the time needed to deliver to the customer. The potential of the project is widespread and has shown remarkable results in a number of areas. In Norway, for instance, manual interpretation of aerial photographs is currently being used to identify wood species, but FLEXWOOD showed that novel technologies can achieve this automatically. FLEXWOOD is now complete and has successfully developed supply chain optimisation models at both tactical and strategic planning levels. The new approach is leading to quicker, more flexible responses to changes in supply and demand, which should benefit the European wood industry in terms of competitiveness.
