The European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) held its annual General Assembly on 27 May 2025 in Vienna, following the prestigious Evergreen Prize ceremony held the previous evening—an event dedicated to celebrating technological innovation in the forest-based industries.
This year’s General Assembly marked a significant moment for EOS, as the organisation welcomed two new members into its growing network: Filiera Legno (Italy) and Forest Industries Ireland. Their inclusion reflects the continued relevance and influence of EOS across the European timber sector.
During the Assembly, EOS members elected their new leadership, expressing deep gratitude to outgoing President Herbert Joebstl for his outstanding four-year commitment to advancing the organisation’s mission. The newly elected President, Tommi Sneck, Timber Industry Director at Koskisen Oyj (Finland), shared a forward-looking vision:

“My goal is to continue building on the solid foundation laid by Herbert and the Board, while also leading EOS into the future—one shaped by both opportunities and new challenges. Among these are the evolving EU initiatives around nature credits and LULUCF, which will demand both technical expertise and political engagement from our side. At the same time, we must seize the transformative potential of the bioeconomy. Europe is calling for sustainable, resilient value chains—our sector can, and should, be at the heart of this transition. EOS will continue to be a forward-looking and proactive voice, supporting our members, engaging institutions, and promoting wood as the material of the future.”

Newly Elected EOS Board (2025 -2027 Mandate)

– President: Tommi Sneck – Timber Industry Director, Koskisen Oyj (Finland)
– Vice-President Softwood: Ernest Schilliger – CEO, Schilliger Holz AG (Switzerland)
– Vice-President Hardwood: Maria Kiefer-Polz – Sales Leader of European Hardwood Production (Austria)

Board Members:
– Nicolas Douzain-Didier – Director, Fédération Nationale du Bois (France)
– Mathias Fridholm – Director, Skogsindustrierna (Sweden)
– Dr. Carsten Merforth – COO Wood Products, Mercer International (Germany)
– Christoph Kulterer – CEO, HASSLACHER NORICA TIMBER (Austria)
– Thomas Sève – General Director, Monnet-Sève SA (France)
– Kristaps Klauss – Executive Director, Latvian Timber Producers and Exporters Association (Latvia)
– Tino Aalto – Managing Director, Finnish Sawmills Association (Finland)

Market Outlook and Annual Report Highlights
As part of its General Assembly programme, EOS hosted a presentation by international expert Russ Taylor on global market developments. Taylor highlighted the volatility in North American markets, driven by rising duties on Canadian lumber, uncertain trade policies, and unpredictable US housing demand. He also pointed to slow recovery in China’s construction sector, although niche demand remains for wood in furniture and interior applications. Taylor’s analysis underlined the importance for European producers to remain competitive, diversified, and well-informed—a key role EOS continues to play through market intelligence and advocacy.
As is tradition, EOS presented its Annual Report 2024/2025 during the Assembly. The report provides a comprehensive overview of sawnwood markets, EOS advocacy efforts, roundwood supply, and the European construction sector. It will be available online in the second half of June at: https://eos-oes.eu/annual-reports/

Despite a challenging environment in recent years, EOS member countries — which account for about 80% of Europe’s sawnwood production—saw a 1% production increase in 2024 compared to 2023. With interest rates declining and construction markets showing signs of recovery, expectations for the second half of 2025 remain cautiously optimistic.

Save the Date
EOS’s next major gathering will be held in the framework of the International Softwood Conference, taking place 22–23 October 2025 in Oslo, Norway. Organized by the Norwegian Wood Industry Federation (Treindustrien) in collaboration with EOS and ETTF, the event will focus on the competitiveness of wood, raw material availability, and market opportunities. On October 22, attendees can participate in five different study tours, including visits to production lines and manufacturing facilities. Registration and more information www.iscevent2025.com