Latvia can! CEWOOD launches production line in new EUR 25 million factory
In celebration of Latvia’s Independence Day, CEWOOD, the largest employer in the Alūksne region, also marks this significant day, as the main production line of the new production plant starts work during the Patriots’ Week. The new plant has a modern design and it is highly valued by construction and architectural professionals. EUR 25 million is being invested in its construction and equipment, but further work on development, new premises and equipment will take CEWOOD’s investment even higher. The newly opened main production line will allow to triple the production capacity from 1.7 million to 4.7 million sqm of wood wool panels per year to be exported and used for ceiling, wall and acoustic applications worldwide.
“We are proud of our roots and believe in the future, in our region and our products, which is why we decided — without hesitation — to invest in the construction of a new factory in the company owners’ home region of Alūksne,” says CEWOOD Member of Board Ingars Ūdris, with a hint of patriotism. “Our big goal is to become one of the world’s leading companies in this field. The production line is the most modern now, and investments into it alone will reach EUR 10.3 million. Employees have given the new line the nickname “Max”, derived from the word “maximum”, which is an unmistakable description of both the overall objectives and the level of quality of the product. With the inauguration of this line, nearly 70 % of the overall growth project is now complete. We are currently actively testing and calibrating the equipment and, with the participation of the equipment manufacturer, training our employees so that they are able to work with such high-level production equipment from day one.”
In small region of Jaunlaicene, where only 300 locals live, also CEWOOD factory is located and the company has more than 160 highly motivated employees who have grown into a cohesive and dedicated team. With a team like this, the highest goals can be achieved”.
The construction progress is on track, and the plant is complete, but work will continue into 2025. We are currently actively working on equipping the finished goods warehouse and the post-processing facilities with modern machinery, which are supplemented with modern automation solutions; the total construction scope at the plant will reach approx. 20,000 sqm.
Rihards Volfs, CEWOOD finance director: “Thanks to the funding from ALTUM Large Investment Project Support Program and the planned capital rebate, CEWOOD can improve and develop the global competitiveness of Latvian manufactured wood wool panels, thus promoting exports to more than 30 countries. The investment is also expected to develop the local area by creating additional jobs and developing Latvia as a center of manufacturing of innovative products.”
Reinis Bērziņš, ALTUM Chairman of the Management Board: “With ALTUM funding and CEWOOD’s determination, Latvia will produce high added value products that will reach consumers around the world in even greater volumes. Every such investment directly boosts Latvia’s exports and gross domestic product.
The country supports large investment projects to stimulate the Latvian economy. To date, 16 positive decisions have been taken in program of loans with capital discount, which is already actively implementing growth projects across Latvia.”
“CEWOOD is a model of entrepreneurship in Latvia from which we can draw inspiration and learn entrepreneurship. In a relatively short time, the company has gained significant market positions and export sales with the help of financing. We are pleased with the investment support we have received, which has resulted in excellent returns, enabling CEWOOD to grow even faster and conquer more global markets,” says Ilze Zoltnere, the Head of Corporate Banking, Luminor Bank.
CEWOOD panels are 100 % natural, made from Latvian wood, cement and water. The decision to produce in both the new and the existing plant allows to diversify the assortment of goods and to engage more actively in research. Partnership with universities: Riga Technical University, Latvian University of Biosciences and Technology, University of Latvia, University of Tartu and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University; it is planned to work even more closely on the sustainability of the material, its testing and possibilities of use.
The new manufacturing plant has been constructed with respect for the surrounding environment, without logging trees in the surrounding area and adapting the configuration of the building to the terrain; it is so impressive that it has also won the “Latvian Construction Award” in the nomination “PRODUCTION PLANT”. The most notable accent of the building is a specially created window of 3.2 m in diameter – the largest possible monolithic round window in Europe!
About CEWOOD
CEWOOD is a Latvian company with a factory in Jaunlaicene, Alūksne municipality, and an office/warehouse in Riga, Daugavgrīvas šoseja 1. CEWOOD produces world-class ceiling and wall finishing panels, as well as building panels, made from 100 % natural raw materials — Latvian conifers, water and cement. The company employs more than 160 people who make panels with utmost care for the most demanding customers around the world. The success of CEWOOD is based on almost 60 years of experience working with the material, green thinking, material sustainability and special attention to raw material selection, production process and customer service.
More information:
Anda Podziņa
M: +371 27545441