Stiga RM launches the world’s most advanced wood wool cement board factory in Tukums
One of Latvia’s leading wood industry companies, Stiga RM, has launched a new wood wool cement board factory in Tukums – the most modern and technologically advanced facility of its kind in the world. It features a fully automated production process, a high level of robotisation, and artificial intelligence solutions. The total investment in the project amounts to 34 million euro.
The project marks a significant step in the development of high value-added manufacturing in Latvia, enabling more efficient use of local forest resources and strengthening the competitiveness of the country’s wood processing industry. Stiga RM plans to export 98% of its production, increasing Latvia’s export value by more than 55 million euro annually.
“This factory represents the next stage in the development of Latvia’s timber industry, where modern technologies complement human intellectual capabilities. In our view, the future of the industry lies not in larger volumes, but in smarter use of resources. The ratio of quality to price is our main advantage. Stiga RM ensures full control over the entire production cycle – from a planted tree to the finished product – allowing us to guarantee consistently high quality, competitive pricing, and reliable results in every panel,” emphasises Andris Ramoliņš, Owner and Chairman of the Board of Stiga RM.
With the launch of the new factory, the company significantly expands its product portfolio by entering the finished materials segment with a new brand – Sonablock acoustic panels. The factory is expected to produce more than 4.5 million square metres of acoustic panels annually.
The Sonablock acoustic panels manufactured at the Stiga RM factory are made from a mixture of Latvian spruce wood wool and cement, creating a high-quality, environmentally friendly finishing material for design applications. The panels are characterised by a high fire reaction class, excellent sound absorption properties, durability, and ease of installation, offering wide application possibilities in modern construction.
The Stiga RM acoustic panel factory demonstrates Latvia’s potential to develop world-class, high value-added export-oriented companies based on the expertise of local specialists. A significant part of the production infrastructure has been developed in-house – nearly 30% of the factory’s equipment has been manufactured at the Stiga RM Metāls metalworking factory. The company has also integrated internationally recognised technological solutions into its operations.
“This factory is unique because Stiga RM experts have designed every step to ensure maximum production efficiency and the highest possible productivity. This has been achieved in cooperation with the world’s leading manufacturers of acoustic panel production equipment, selecting the most suitable solutions for each equipment group. Both Latvia and international markets are important to us – 98% of our production is intended for export, providing a direct contribution to Latvia’s trade balance. Our priority export markets are Scandinavia, the Benelux countries, and Central Europe, while we are actively expanding our export markets worldwide,” says Sandis Fogelmanis, Manager of the Stiga RM Wood-Wool Cement Board factory.
The project financing is based on a balanced model: Stiga RM’s own capital, a 12 million euro loan from OP Bank, and 4.5 million euro attracted through the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia and ALTUM support programme “Large Investment Loan with Capital Rebate”. This approach has enabled the rapid development of the factory while fostering close cooperation with the Tukums municipality, making the project a significant driving force behind the development of the Smārde Industrial Park.