Frequently asked questions

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We have collected and answered the most frequently asked questions of our customers

• Where does Pollmeier source their logs? Such a high cutting volume will certainly have negative consequences on the tree polulation of the forests.

  Where does Pollmeier source their logs? Such a high cutting volume will certainly have negative consequences on the tree polulation of the forests.

  In our sawmills, only beech logs from German forests are used. More than 200 years ago, Germany has started to implement sustainble forestry. Sustainability was defined along the terms, that only the same volume of trees was allowed to be taken out of the forests as was able to regrow. This was supposed to ensure the supply of the raw material wood for subsequent generations. Today, forest legislation is successfully safeguarding the sustainable usage of all forestal functions. Germany is experiencing an increase in wood (volume) and forest (area) because more trees are growing then are used. Please refer to question No. 2 for that matter.

  Because of our modern cutting technique, we are able to use logs of mediocre quality also. Thus our log suppliers are more flexible in their forestry and we can keep the transport distances low.

• Are your products actually certified (for ex. by PEFC)?

  Are your products actually certified (for ex. by PEFC)?

  We are certified according to the standard PEFC.
  The PEFC certification scheme in favour of sustainable forestry (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) is based with regards to contents on international agreements, that have been approved by 37 nations within the Pan-European process during the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (Helsinki 1993, Lisbon 1998).
  The primary goal of PEFC is the documentation and improvement of sustainable forestry in terms of economical, ecological and social standards.

  More information under www.pefc.de or www.pefc.org.

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• The special tangential cutting technique leads to boards with horizontal and semi-horiziontal year rings. I know this from traditional slab timber: the boards are often cupped and instable. Can I still use Pollmeier-beechwood without worries for my products?

  The special tangential cutting technique leads to boards with horizontal and semi-horiziontal year rings. I know this from traditional slab timber: the boards are often cupped and instable. Can I still use Pollmeier-beechwood without worries for my products?

  The special technique of cutting tangentially around the core with a band saw is resulting in a higher percentage of boards with horizontal year rings. In order to still produce timber with very low inner tension and very high stability, we are using state-of-the-art kilning technology: more than 100 kilns are only filled with boards of the same thickness, that have been stacked automatically into very uniform bundles. Turbulences in the air-current are avoided, because only square-edged boards are in the kilns: the current of hot air can flow evenly through the individual layers of the wood stacks.

  Another Pollmeier specialty is the over-drying with a subsequent conditioning process. This ensures that all the boards will eventually possess a homogeneous moisture content across the whole section of the board – the reason for the non-twisting stability of Pollmeier beechwood.

  Many tradidional manufactures are afraid, that the wood will give way to tension in the final product due to the horizontal year rings. This principal disadvantage of unevenly dried wood is avoided at Pollmeier because of a painstakingly careful  conditioning process.

  • Quality - Kiln drying

• Pollmeier-beechwood is presanded on both sides. Does the sanding dust reduce the running life of my tools!?!

  Pollmeier-beechwood is presanded on both sides. Does the sanding dust reduce the running life of my tools!?!

  Here we can reassure you in good conscience: our custom-made cylinder drum sander is a specialty in the Pollmeier chain of production. A downstream dust extraction unit successfully prevents sanding residues from remaining on the boards.

  The easiest and best reference are satisfied customers: even processors using large volumes of Pollmeier-beechwood, are not complaining about shorter life cycles of their tooling.

  By the way, this fact has also been proven scientifically: an independent expertise done by the University of Hamburg clearly documents the absence of sanding residue on the boards.

• Why does Pollmeier presand the wood? In my production, I do not have any advantage from that.

  Why does Pollmeier presand the wood? In my production, I do not have any advantage from that.

  Surely, you are aware of the problem: with traditionally sawn timber, hidden defects in the wood are often only discovered after planing. Then in effect, when you have already invested valuable working time and it is already too late. On the surface of wood with a rough saw cut, it is very difficult to determin certain defects, such as steaming stains, water or mineral spots.

  Pollmeier, however, is presanding the boards. This allows us to literally take a very close look into the lumber and to sort the boards precisely according to their quality. You are benefitting from presanding, because you can recognise wooden defects already before processing and are thus able to consider them. Not only does this save rejects and reclamations but also costs and time.

  • Efficiency - Presanding

• At Pollmeier, the KD-dimensions are the basis for calculation of the invoice, but the thickness of the boards is reduced by presanding. Does this mean that I do have to pay for wood I do not get?

  At Pollmeier, the KD-dimensions are the basis for calculation of the invoice, but the thickness of the boards is reduced by presanding. Does this mean that I do have to pay for wood I do not get?

  The KD-dimensions correspond to the standard thicknesses, which you are used to from your previous supplier. Please keep in mind however: conventionally sawn lumber has to be planed before using it - the resulting chips are waste for the chip-container. The working step "planing" is unavoidable.

  At Pollmeier, the boards are calibrated by means of presanding, in other words "industrially planed." We are taking care of this working step at considerably lower costs due to our fully automatic mass production. You can save valuable working time. What we are passing on to you, is only the material loss. The delivered net thickness of the boards, however, is precisely calibrated and can be put to full use.

  To give you an example: in order to produce an edge-glued panel for stairsteps with a net thickness of 42mm, a staircase producer has to use conventional (unedged) timber with an invoiced thickness of up to 55mm. At Pollmeier, the invoiced thickness is indeed 52mm - the delivered 48,5mm thickness after presanding, however, can be fully used due to calibration. You can produce net thicknesses of up to 45 mm with it.

  Presanding is furthermore the basic prerequisite for our precise quality-sorting: by this defects in the wood and colour can be clearly determined.

• Is every board measured individually?

  Is every board measured individually?

  In order to be more accurate and efficient, boards are not measured individually. The volume of a bundle in cubic meters is calculated from the total weight. The conversion formula is taking the specific weight of beechwood at 6-8% moisture content into consideration.
  In addition, the oversize length is deducted from the calculated volume by a special reduction factor. Thus, just to be on the safe side, you are always getting a little bit more wood than what is actually invoiced.
   

   

• Where can I get Pollmeier Beech Lumber? Is there a minimum quantity?

  Where can I get Pollmeier Beech Lumber? Is there a minimum quantity?

  Pollmeier Beech Lumber is available at wholesalers almost all over the world. It is possible to buy even small quantities fast and flexibly from stock: How to find your nearest Pollmeier-dealer. Starting from a certain order volume, direct deliveries are also possible. There are different minimum order volumes depending on the respective countries, where the shipment is supposed to go. Please contact our sales staff for more information.

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• Is it possible to get other wood species in the well-known Pollmeier-quality?

  Is it possible to get other wood species in the well-known Pollmeier-quality?

  Currently, we are mainly cutting beechwood. To concentrate on one wood species, has turned us into market leader in a very short time period. You are profiting from our comprehensive know-how, which we have acquired with this wood species over the years. At the moment, however, further wood species like black alder and european ash are being developed.