Enhancing operational efficiency of sawmills in Sri Lanka’s state timber sector

Abstract

The State Timber Corporation (STC), Sri Lanka's sole state timber trader, faces declining timber supply, reducing construction timber production. To meet the growing demand driven by the construction boom, STC must minimize conversion losses and improve crew management in its sawmills. This study identifies waste-reduction strategies through SWOT analysis and examination of timber conversion losses across five sawmills stations using circular, frame, and band saws. Findings revealed losses vary by product type, species, and machinery. Sleeper production of Eucalyptus grandis showed 32% loss with Wood Mizer LT40 and 37% with Laimet. Standard sawn timber losses reached 47% for Eucalyptus grandis and 54% for Eucalyptus microcorys, while Pine recorded 34%. The SWOT analysis identified poor-quality logs, mismanaged marketing, and skilled labor shortages as key challenges. Recommendations include increasing the use of Pine species, training crews, adopting band saws such as Wood Mizer, and ensuring a continuous timber supply to enhance production efficiency.

Keywords

• Sawn Tibmber
• Production
• State Timber Corporation
• Conversion Loss

Sri Lanka devlet kereste sektöründeki kereste fabrikalarının operasyonel verimliliğinin artırılması

Abstract

Sri Lanka'nın tek devlet kereste tüccarı olan Devlet Kereste Şirketi (STC), azalan kereste arzı ve inşaat kerestesi üretimiyle karşı karşıyadır. İnşaat patlamasının yol açtığı artan talebi karşılamak için STC, dönüşüm kayıplarını en aza indirmeli ve kereste fabrikalarındaki ekip yönetimini iyileştirmelidir. Bu çalışma, beş kereste fabrikası istasyonunda dairesel, çerçeve ve şerit testereler kullanılarak yapılan kereste dönüşüm kayıplarının SWOT analizi ve incelenmesi yoluyla atık azaltma stratejilerini belirlemektedir. Bulgular, kayıpların ürün türüne, türe ve makineye göre değiştiğini ortaya koymuştur. Eucalyptus grandis'in travers üretimi, Wood Mizer LT40 ile %32 ve Laimet ile %37 kayıp göstermiştir. Standart biçilmiş kereste kayıpları Eucalyptus grandis için %47'ye ve Eucalyptus microcorys için %54'e ulaşırken, Çam için %34 kaydedilmiştir. SWOT analizi, düşük kaliteli kütükler, kötü yönetilen pazarlama ve kalifiye işgücü eksikliğini temel zorluklar olarak belirlemiştir. Öneriler arasında Çam türlerinin kullanımının artırılması, ekiplerin eğitilmesi, Wood Mizer gibi şerit testerelerin benimsenmesi ve üretim verimliliğini artırmak için sürekli kereste tedarikinin sağlanması yer almaktadır.

Keywords

• Üretim
• Eyalet Kereste Şirketi
• Dönüşüm Kaybı
• Biçilmiş kereste

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