All the African processing plants Rougier mothballed during the downturn are now fully on stream again and the company is planning a 40% increase in sawn timber production this year.

The French hardwood and plywood specialist says that its sawn output this year will hit 140,000m³, compared to 100,000m³ in 2010.

“We decided last year to resume production at the facilities we temporarily closed in 2009 due to the financial crisis and they are now working at full capacity,” international business development manager Luc Auguin told TTJ. “Business is definitely better and customers worldwide, who cut stocks to very low levels in 2009, are now restocking.”

Rougier’s increase in sawn timber production will partly come from higher output at the existing facilities it has in Gabon, Cameroon and Congo (Brazzaville), but also as a result of major investment in new capacity at two of its Gabonese sites.

“We are installing a new line at Mevang and building an entirely new mill at Ivindo, expected to start up in the summer,” said Mr Auguin.

He added that the increased capacity would further offset the impact on the company of the log export ban introduced in Gabon last year.

With drying facilities now at five of its six mills, the company will also be able to kiln 80,000m³ of its sawn production in 2011.

In line with its strategy to undertake more timber processing in Africa, Rougier is now developing a wood products pilot plant in Mbang, Cameroon. This will use a variety of species, from finger-jointed sapele to thali, ayous and okan and make a range of products, including decking, tool handles and curtain rods.

The company is also continuing its programme to secure FSC certification for all its 2 million ha of forest concessions in West Africa. This year it expects the remaining 25% of its 900,000ha of Gabonese concessions to achieve full FSC accreditation. Progress is also accelerating in Cameroon, where the company has FSC controlled wood status. Last year it achieved full TLTV-VLO legality accreditation for its Congo concessions.

A more detailed report on Rougier will feature in TTJ’s Tropical Timber Special Focus in April.