Binderholz acquires Kuhmo Oy: Sawmill capacity increases by 1 million m³ roundwood

On 31 July 2026, the shareholders of Kuhmo Oy and Juntinsalo Oy agreed to sell all shares in both companies to BINDER BETEILIGUNGS AG, a company within the Austrian binderholz Group. The transaction, which still requires approval from the relevant authorities, brings one of Finland's most established sawmill operators into the group. Kuhmo Oy processes over 1 million cubic metres of roundwood annually and produces approximately 500,000 m³ of sawn timber—80% pine and 20% spruce. The sawmill site generates annual revenues of around €150 million and employs 180 people.

This acquisition extends binderholz's position as one of the world's largest producers of solid timber (BSH) and cross-laminated timber (CLT). Together with the group's existing mills in Lieksa and Nurmes, the Kuhmo facility secures high-quality sawn timber supply for binderholz's downstream processing plants while expanding the group's product and service portfolio.

What does the acquisition mean for Kuhmo's sawmill operations?

Kuhmo Oy has built a decades-long reputation as a producer of high-quality timber products and as a responsible employer and business partner. Juntinsalo Oy, the real estate arm of the Kuhmo group, is also part of the transaction. The aim is to strengthen the long-term competitive capacity of the Kuhmo sawmill through production development, export market expansion, and the utilisation of new engineered wood products.

"Thanks to this transaction, the future of Kuhmo Oy looks stronger than ever. Under the new ownership, the company is better positioned to grow, invest, and improve its standing in international markets," said Tommi Ruha, Managing Director of Kuhmo Oy.

The transaction will have no impact on staffing levels. Kuhmo Oy's employees will be taken over by the new owner under existing conditions, with long-term job security. Employee expertise is described as a key factor in the company's future success.

How does Kuhmo fit into binderholz's vertical integration strategy?

The acquisition represents a clear commitment to binderholz's Finnish sites and strengthens the group's presence in one of Europe's prime softwood growing regions. Reinhard Binder, Chairman of the binderholz Group, explained: "The acquisition of Kuhmo Oy and Juntinsalo Oy strengthens the position of the binderholz Group in one of the best growing areas for softwood and represents a clear commitment to our Finnish sites. Together with our existing plants in Lieksa and Nurmes, Kuhmo Oy secures the demand for high-quality sawn timber for our further processing sites and at the same time enlarges the product and service portfolio of the group."

binderholz operates according to a zero-wood-waste principle, ensuring full utilisation from seedling to end-of-life. The group's product range includes sawn timber, profiled timber, single- and multi-layer laminated solid wood panels, glued laminated timber (BSH), and cross-laminated timber (CLT). DIY products such as garden timber, structural timber, and multipurpose panels are complemented by wooden pallets and customised packaging solutions. Residual timber from production is processed into biofuels, renewable electricity, compressed chipboard pallets, and pressed chipboard blocks.

Regional and sustainability impacts

The binderholz Group shares Kuhmo Oy's values in the areas of responsible forestry management, sustainable timber processing, and long-term business development. The goal is to maintain and deepen strong partnerships with local forest owners, logging and transport companies, and other stakeholders. This transaction strengthens the position of the entire forest bioeconomy in the Kainuu region and raises international awareness of the wood-processing industry in the area.

How does the acquisition compare to recent timber industry consolidation?

The binderholz acquisition of Kuhmo follows a pattern of vertical integration in the Nordic timber industry, where producers of primary sawn timber are increasingly being integrated by manufacturers of high-value engineered wood products. Similar moves have been observed among producers focused on multi-storey timber construction and CLT manufacturing, where securing consistent raw material quality and volume has become strategically critical.

With over 6,000 employees at more than 60 locations in Austria, Germany, the UK, Latvia, Finland, and the USA, binderholz is one of Europe's most vertically integrated timber groups. The company's roots trace back to 1950, when Franz Binder senior turned his passion for wood into a profession. The Binder family, now in its third generation, remains the driving force behind the brand.

What are the next steps for the Kuhmo sawmill?

The transaction is subject to approval by relevant authorities. Once completed, the focus will be on production development, export market expansion, and product diversification—particularly in the area of engineered wood for timber high-rise construction and prefabricated building systems. The integration of Kuhmo Oy into the binderholz Group is expected to provide the Finnish mill with access to international sales channels, technical expertise, and investment capacity that were previously unavailable as a standalone operation.

The emphasis on long-term job security, local partnerships, and sustainable forestry management signals that binderholz intends to maintain Kuhmo's regional embeddedness while leveraging the benefits of scale and vertical integration. For architects and structural engineers specifying structural timber and CLT panels, the expansion of binderholz's raw material base in Finland should ensure greater supply reliability and product consistency in the years ahead.