The shareholders of Kuhmo Oy and Juntinsalo Oy agreed to sell the companies’ entire share capital to BINDER BETEILIGUNGS AG, a member of the Austrian binderholz Group, on 31 July 2026. The transaction remained subject to approval from the relevant competition authorities before its completion.

This corporate transaction marked a significant milestone in the long-standing wood processing heritage of Kuhmo, creating a solid platform for the companies’ future growth, enhanced competitiveness, and international expansion. For decades, Kuhmo Oy has been recognized as one of Finland’s leading sawmilling companies, earning a strong reputation for producing high-quality timber products while maintaining its commitment as a responsible employer and trusted business partner. Juntinsalo Oy, meanwhile, serves as the real estate company within the Kuhmo Group.

Kuhmo processes more than one million solid cubic metres of roundwood each year, producing approximately 500,000 cubic metres of sawn timber annually, of which around 80% is pine and 20% is spruce. The company generates annual revenue of approximately €150 million and employs around 180 people.

With the acquisition, the binderholz Group further strengthened its position as one of the world’s largest producers of sawn timber while expanding its capabilities as a leading supplier of solid wood products.

A strong future for Kuhmo
The objective of the transaction is to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Kuhmo’s sawmill operations. The parties see significant opportunities in production development, expansion of export markets, and the utilization of new wood-based products and solutions.

“As a result of this transaction, the future of Kuhmo Oy looks stronger than ever. With the new owner, the company will be better positioned to grow, invest, and strengthen its position in international markets,” says Tommi Ruha, Managing Director of Kuhmo Oy.

”The acquisition of Kuhmo Oy and Juntinsalo Oy will strengthen Binder’s footprint in the world’s best growing area for coniferous and is a clear commitment to our Finnish operations. Kuhmo Oy – together with our existing sites in Lieksa and Nurmes – secures our demand for high quality timber from our further processing units and further broadens Binder’s product offering and service to customers,” says Reinhard Binder, Chairman of the binderholz group of companies.

Employees
The transaction will not result in any changes to employment relationships. The employees of Kuhmo Oy will transfer to the new owner under their existing terms and conditions and their expertise is regarded as a key factor in the company’s future success. The acquisition is expected to create new opportunities for employees within an international operating environment and to strengthen the long-term continuity of jobs in Kuhmo.

Local impact and sustainability will continue
The binderholz Group shares Kuhmo Oy’s values regarding responsible forest management, sustainable wood processing, and long-term business development. The goal is to continue strong cooperation with local forest owners, contractors, transport companies, and other stakeholders. The transaction is expected to strengthen the position of the entire Kainuu forest bioeconomy sector and enhance the region’s international visibility as a hub for the wood processing industry.

About binderholz
Founded on a passion for wood that dates back to the 1950s, binderholz has evolved from a family-owned sawmill into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of solid wood products. Established by Franz Binder Sr., the company has remained under the stewardship of the Binder family for three generations, combining tradition with continuous innovation to deliver high-quality wood solutions for global markets.

The company follows a fully integrated production model based on its zero-wood-waste principle, ensuring that every part of the timber resource is utilized efficiently. Its extensive portfolio includes sawn timber, profiled timber, single- and multi-layer solid wood panels, glued laminated timber (glulam), and binderholz CLT BBS cross-laminated timber, alongside DIY products, construction timber, garden wood, wooden pallets, and customised packaging solutions. By-products from manufacturing are converted into densified biofuels, green electricity, pressboard pallets, and pressed pallet blocks, reinforcing the company’s commitment to resource efficiency and sustainable production.

Headquartered in Fügen, Austria, binderholz has grown into an international wood processing group with more than 60 production and sales sites across Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Finland, and the United States. Supported by approximately 6,000 employees, the company continues to strengthen its global presence through innovation, operational excellence, and a shared commitment to sustainable wood processing.

Source: binderholz.com