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

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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.

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