Ante Holz expands into southern Germany with mill acquisition
24 June 2021Germany sawmilling group Ante Holz has expanded into southern Germany by acquiring a mill in the Black Forest that closed back in 2012.
The mill in question was formerly operated by Holzwerk Rötenbach but closed nine years ago when it struggled with securing sufficient log supplies.
The acquisition of the facility in Rötenbach-Friedenweiler on June 14 will see 60 new employees start operations again immediately.
“It has always been my wish to reactivate the sawmill and the Rötenbach site and thus return it to its original purpose,” said Andreas Harling, who oversees the activities steered for Holzwerk Rötenbach GmbH for the past few years.
“It is all the more gratifying that this has now succeeded with the ante group as the new owner.”
Ante Holz said restarting the mill did not require a lot of lead time. The plant has a Linck V40 chipping line with a cutting capacity of around 150,000 solid meters of softwood in one-shift operation.
According to ante managing director Jörn Kimmich, the location will initially serve primarily as a raw lamellar production facility for further processing within the group.
In further investment steps, expansion on the approximately 23-hectare site is planned. The mill is believed to have an annual cutting capacity of 120,000m3.
"We are pursuing a long-term plan for Rötenbach, relying on a mixture of tradition and progress,” said Jürgen Ante, managing partner of the Ante Group.
“Our aim is to create synergies in the region and to provide impetus from which the local people benefit.”
One of the decisive factors for the expansion was the leading role played by the timber construction companies in Baden-Württemberg.
“The state is a nationwide pioneer in modern building with wood. A concept that fits perfectly with our focus and product range.”
Ante will start with around 30 employees in one-shift operation and begin building a second shift at the same time. Spruce, fir, pine and Douglas fir from the region will be processed in Rötenbach in future.
“We see ourselves as a reliable partner for forest owners in the Black Forest, on the Baar and Alb or in Upper Swabia,” added Mr Kimmich.
