A Flexible Route for Sawn Timber from Sawmill to Port and Beyond

News 31.8.2026

The most effective logistics solutions are created through close cooperation with the customer. Flexible storage, seamless transport and port services give customers the freedom to respond to changes in demand.

It all started with a customer need: to store sawn timber at the Port of Oulu before the final sale. KWH Logistics’ subsidiaries saw an opportunity to build the logistics chain in a completely new way.

“Our goal was to create a full-service logistics solution covering transport from the sawmill to the port and on to the end customer, as well as temporary storage at the port. We began developing the solution together with the customer,” says Joni Korkala, Operations Manager at Rauanheimo.

At the sawmill, Adolf Lahti manages the finished sawn timber throughout the process. This includes removing the timber from the sawmill, temporary storage in the sawmill yard, dispatching it to destinations elsewhere in Finland and arranging road transport to the Port of Oulu. At the port, Rauanheimo unloads the shipments and stores the products in the port warehouse or loads them directly onto a vessel.

“For the customer, this means flexibility above all. The customer has access to flexible storage at the port, making it possible to respond quickly to changes in demand and manage product collection and deliveries centrally. At the same time, delivery reliability to the end customer improves and the customer’s own workload is reduced. And all of this is handled under a single agreement,” Joni explains.

Cooperation is visible in everyday operations

A well-functioning logistics chain is built on close cooperation between Adolf Lahti and Rauanheimo.

“Smooth day-to-day operations are based on regular communication and jointly agreed ways of working. Joint logistics meetings, shared recruitment and equipment purchased together have strengthened our cooperation even further. The cooperation between the sister companies is also reflected in a strong sense of community among the drivers. They feel that they are part of the same team,” says Ilkka Hussa, Foreman at Adolf Lahti.

Customer feedback shows that the cooperation has been successful. Adolf Lahti’s straightforward approach and Rauanheimo’s efficiency have emerged as particular strengths. The service has been described as smooth, clear and solution-oriented.

Adolf Lahti and Rauanheimo will continue their close cooperation in the future. Together, the companies will develop the logistics chain in line with the customer’s changing needs.