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Description
The aim of the project is to introduce wooden furniture and accessories for outdoor space developed for b2b e-commerce and increased environmental requirements in SIA EKJU (hereinafter – EKJU) production. To be able to introduce this product group (hereinafter - New Products) into production, new equipment will be purchased within the project - a four-sided longitudinal milling machine and planer mechanization line, high-pressure impregnation equipment and 2 pcs. wood drying chambers. The project also provides IT software for the integration of the technologies purchased in the project into the production process. In addition, information and communication activities, activities related to the introduction of New Products into production, knowledge transfer and integration of industry best practices with the Norwegian cooperation partner Norsk Treteknisk Institutt (NTI) are planned.
Summary of project results
There were no significant problems or challenges during the project implementation.
The aim of the project is to introduce wooden furniture and accessories for outdoor space developed for b2b e-commerce and increase environmental requirements in EKJU production. Production will have a number of significantly improved technical parameters, new applications and transportation, and a range of end-user improvements.
In order to be able to introduce a new b2b e-commerce wooden outdoor furniture and accessories product group into production, new equipment was purchased within the project - a four-sided longitudinal milling machine and planer mechanization line, high-pressure impregnation equipment and 2 pcs. wood drying chambers.
As a result of the project:
- Improving the planning process
- Improvement of the impregnation process
- Improving the drying process.
Competitive advantages:
1. Product life expectancy.
In the existing product categories, the products have the following lifetimes:
• Furniture - 15 years.
• Flower pots - 5 years.
• Shelves - 8 years.
After the implementation of the Project, the following lifespans are planned for the new products, by categories:
• Furniture - 25 years.
• Flower pots - 10 years.
• Shelves - 15 years.
2. Quality.
3. Smaller environmental footprint.
a) the improved production cycle will lead to a significant reduction in electricity consumption of 4610.9 MWh (over 5 years) as well as CO2 savings of 357.16 t (over 5 years);
b) as well as new products introduced into production which, together with the improvement of their quality and the introduction of the b2b e-commerce solution, will ensure a lower environmental impact of 1 483.75 t CO2 (within 5 years);
c) the increase in product life will lead to a reduction in CO2 in the range of 165-630 t (over 5 years).
The project planned to create 4 new jobs. 4 new jobs (age- woman-32; woman-40; man-58; man-41) have been created for workers working with new equipment or involved in processes related to the production of new products. The company has now started production of 7 product groups (codes) with the new equipment. As the project has just concluded, data on the export performance of products will be provided in the post-monitoring period. Planned export will reach 98%.
4 new jobs, 1 of whom is a disadvantaged worker over the age of 50; Training has been carried out for disadvantaged 10 workers to work with equipment. Training has been carried out for disadvantaged 27 workers working with IT technologies; one motivation event has taken place.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology (NTI) has many years of experience in planning, conducting, and implementing national and international research projects that are essential for the Norwegian wood industry.EKJU implemented knowledge transfer and integration of industry best practices with the Norwegian cooperation partner Norsk Treteknisk Institutt (NTI):1)Working together determined moisture-related defects (e.g. dimensional stability, discolouration, fungi attack) and opportunities to improve conditions.2)NTI developed a Study of the climate conditions and risk of discolouration by mold growth during the shipping of EKJU’s products.3)NTI developed A Wood Moisture and Drying Guideline. 4)Based on Tasks 1, 2 and 3, NTI gave recommendations for a best practice quality control system.NTI has many years of experience in planning, conducting, and implementing national and international research projects that are essential for the Norwegian wood industry. Collaboration with EKJU is essential for NTI to grow its intellectual property capacity and strengthen its reputation as a leading wood research institute in Scandinavia.EKJU is pleased with this cooperation, as it obtained valuable advice and guidelines integrated into future operations to improve its production, thus increasing competitiveness in the export market.