Welcome to the first-ever issue of our industry newsletter Holz360°: Insights. Trends. Markets.

As well as furnishing you with facts and figures, we also want to take you behind the scenes of the timber sector, bringing you inspiration and strategic ideas in a compact and relevant way.

Michael Pfeifer · CEO Pfeifer Group

Missed the New Year panel debate?
Watch the video here:

The star-studded line-up of experts looked ahead to the economic, logistical and raw materials challenges facing the timber industry. 2024 proved tough for the sector due to the weak state of the economy, and the hard times look set to continue for companies into 2025.

“Although the general mood is a bit more upbeat than last year, we’re facing structural challenges that won’t be going away any time soon.”

Gerd Ebner · Editor-in-chief Holzkurier

Interview with

Michael Pfeifer, Clemens Pfeifer and Jari Suominen

Michael Pfeifer

The time for leaving development to chance is behind us

The CEO of the Pfeifer Group uses the interview to explain the difference that Pfeifer’s corporate DNA makes in a recession and where he sees development opportunities for the future.

Read the Interview

Clemens Pfeifer

Automation is part of our everyday life

In this interview, CTO Clemens Pfeifer sheds light on the wide variety of investment measures implemented at the Pfeifer Group.

Read the interview

Jari Suominen

We keep sawing at -42 degrees Celsius

The CEO of Pölkky talks about the cultural differences between Finland and Central Europe, the beauty of Finnish wood and the strategic goals of the northernmost member of the Pfeifer Group.

Read the interview

Timber industry begins 2025 strained yet hopeful of a new dawn

Timber construction gaining ground, packaging under pressure

Positive signs coming from the infrastructure construction segment, especially in Southern Europe (e.g. 850 timber-built schools planned in Italy)
Downturn in the construction sector is weighing on the timber industry, while the packaging sector is being hit by the automotive crisis and the electromobility trend.

Challenges in the biofuels market

Situation being exacerbated by fiercer competition and cuts to subsidies.
But wood still crucial for sustainable building and the EU’s climate targets.

Global uncertainties affecting the timber market

War in Ukraine and the kind of trade tariffs announced by Donald Trump could disrupt global trade considerably.
Uneven market trends: good news in US and MENA; Europe flatlining; China still hard to access

Upbeat mood despite global challenges

US expecting boom in construction, rising demand for timber forecast.
Availability of logs and price trend remain key factors for market dynamics.

Contact

Press release

Thank you very much for reading!

We hope you gained some fascinating insights and genuine added value that you can apply in your day-to-day work.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Pfeifer and the whole Pfeifer Group team

If you have any requests or suggestions for the next issue, please feel free to email us at marketing@pfeifergroup.com.