A new acoustic panel factory — the most advanced in the world — is starting operations in Tukums, built by Stiga RM, one of Latvia's leading timber industry companies. It is currently the most technologically developed factory of its kind, with a fully automated production process, a high level of robotisation and artificial intelligence solutions, representing a total investment of 34 million euros. The project marks a significant step in the development of high value-added manufacturing in Latvia, making more efficient use of local forest resources and strengthening the competitiveness of the country's timber industry. The company plans to export 98% of its output, thereby increasing the country's export value by more than 55 million euros a year.
"This factory marks the next stage of development in the Latvian timber industry, where modern technology complements human intellectual capability. In our view, the future of the industry lies not in greater volumes but in smarter use of resources. The quality-to-price ratio is our main advantage. Stiga RM has complete control over the entire production cycle — from the tree seedling to the finished product — which allows us to guarantee consistently high quality, a competitive price and a reliable result in every panel," emphasises Andris Ramoliņš, owner and chairman of the board of Stiga RM.
With the launch of the new factory, the company is significantly expanding its product range by entering the finishing materials segment with acoustic panels under the new Sonablock brand. The factory is expected to produce more than 4.5 million square metres of panels a year. The Sonablock acoustic panels made at the Stiga RM factory are produced from a mixture of Latvian spruce wood shavings and cement, creating a high-quality design finishing material that is friendly to both people and the environment. They stand out for their high reaction-to-fire classification and high sound absorption capacity, as well as their durability and simple installation, offering broad application possibilities in modern construction.
The Stiga RM acoustic panel factory demonstrates Latvia's potential to develop world-class, high value-added export businesses on the strength of local specialists' expertise. A substantial part of the production infrastructure was created in-house — almost 30% of the factory's equipment was manufactured at the Stiga RM Metāls metalworking plant. The company has also integrated internationally recognised technological solutions into the factory's operations.
"This factory is unique because Stiga RM's experts designed every step of it to ensure maximum production efficiency and the highest possible productivity. This was achieved by working with the world's leading developers of acoustic panel production equipment and selecting the best solutions for each group of machinery. Markets both here in Latvia and beyond are very important to us — 98% of output is intended for export, making a direct contribution to Latvia's trade balance. Our priority export markets are the Scandinavian, Benelux and Central European countries, but we are actively developing export destinations worldwide," explains Sandis Fogelmanis, head of the Stiga RM acoustic panel factory in Tukums.
The project's financing is built on a balanced model: Stiga RM's own capital, a 12 million euro loan from OP Bank, and a further 4.5 million euros raised through the LIAA and ALTUM support programme "Large investment loan with a capital rebate". This approach has made it possible to develop the factory in a short time while also fostering close cooperation with Tukums Municipality, making the company a significant driving force behind the development of the Smārde industrial park.