WBV Logistics: Optimization of the timber harvest chains and mobilization in private forests – regions Holzkirchen, Rosenheim and Traunstein

Goal of the project was to improve the flow of information and of material in the timber supply process of the forestry associations (WBVs) Traunstein, Rosenheim and Holzkirchen. The following objectives were defined: Creation of an integrative model to increase the competitiveness of all stakeholders in the value-added chain (forest owner, WBVs, contractors, haulers, consumers of wood) Evaluation of different timber harvest chains in the frame of an actual state analysis based on important logistic indicators (i.a. lead times, accounting periods) Recording of organizational structures and of the technical equipment of the WBVs for the identification of the business process flow The study showed that especially in small private forests a clear process coordination is needed to fulfill customer demands while at the same time reducing idle time à consequent use of modern information and communication technology is very essential. In the implementation phase, changes were measured in two models: regional thinning events and the integration model. In the regional thinning events the following changes were recognized: The goal of a timber stack size of 50 m³ obs could not be reached, in fact, it even decreased to a size below the size of the actual state analysis The share of highly mechanized harvesting methods in total logging increased from 28 % to 37 % (goal: 35 %) The lead time could be reduced from 49 to 38 days (goal: 35 days) The accounting time (end of transport until final billing) could be reduced from 39 to 25 days (goal: 30 days) due to the installation of 4 EDP-inferfaces with customers (goal: 5 interfaces)