Hasslacher Enters North America

hasslacher enters north america

Austria-based Hasslacher group is acquiring a stake in Element5, a mass timber producer specializing in the design, manufacture and assembly of modern engineered timber buildings. Based near Toronto, Can., Element5 employs more than 100 and produces cross-laminated timber and glued laminated timber for the North American market. 

As a leader in the European timber industry, and an innovation driver in wood processing, the Hasslacher group is thus taking an important strategic step in the North American market.

“Rapidly growing from a greenfield site four years ago into one of a few major certified mass timber producers in North America, we and our private equity investment partner Kensington Capital Partners are incredibly excited about this next phase of Element5’s journey,” says Patrick Poulin, President, and CEO of Element5. “Hasslacher’s strength in the global marketplace, its technology, and its very experienced team joined together with Element5 will drive a significant acceleration in our business.”

Christoph Kulterer, CEO and owner of Hasslacher, comments, “Together with Element5 we can now offer the North American market the entire HASSLACHER portfolio with shorter delivery times, greater capacity, and a full spectrum of engineering expertise.” 

With the investment in Element5, the Hasslacher group states it is the first European company to invest in the development and expansion of mass timber production capacity in the North American market. In addition to the existing cross-laminated timber line in St Thomas, Ontario, the Hasslacher group investment will fund the startup of a state-of-the-art new glulam line. The site will have a total mass timber production capacity of up to 100,000 m³ annually, which will go into full operation in the first half of 2025. Following the expansion, Element5 will employ around 200.

Founded in 2015 establishing its own production in 2020, Element5 has offices in Toronto and manufacturing operations in St. Thomas.

The family-run Hasslacher group, founded in 1901, employs 2,000 and produces innovative products in the areas of sawn timber, profiled timber, glued laminated timber, cross-laminated timber and structural fingerjointed solid timber for the European and international market. 

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Torma is Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief ESG officer for PotlatchDeltic, where she leads ESG, government relations, communications, and community relations. In this capacity, she leads ESG reporting and strategy and participates in international, national and state industry associations and coalitions to address policies impacting the forestry industry. Prior to PotlatchDeltic, Torma was SVP of Corporate Affairs for Forestar and a paper and forest products equity research analyst for Torma Research and for Merrill Lynch. She has a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Lakehead University in Ontario, an MBA in finance from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Western University.

The Endowment Board and staff recognized the achievements of outgoing board members Mark Emmerson, Kevin Schuyler and Caroline Dauzat. Emmerson was chairman of the Endowment board in 2022 and is chairman, chief financial officer, and a member of the board of directors of Sierra Pacific Industries. Schuyler is senior managing director of CornerStone Partners and served as the Endowment’s treasurer. Dauzat is a fourth-generation owner at Rex Lumber and has been a member of the Endowment’s board since 2020.

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Panel World is delivered six times per year to North American and international professionals, who represent primary panel production operations. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.

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“I look forward to the successful opportunities that the Louisiana Tech University’s Forest Products Innovation Center will offer by serving as an essential link between University research and the needs for adopting new practices, technologies, and products for the forest and timber industry,” Scott Poole, President and Chief Operating Officer, RoyOMartin adds. “Innovation is the key component to the Center’s success, and Louisiana Tech University exemplifies an innovative-driven culture for learning and research.”

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In addition, a U.S. Forest Researcher will be housed in the FPIC to bring another research perspective and identity to the Center that will provide more opportunities for enhancing the sustainability of forests and forest-related industries.

The University welcomes industry and private contributions to help secure funding needed to achieve the goal of developing the FPIC.

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Nick Milestone, Director, Project Execution, Mercer Mass Timber
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Matthew O’Malia, Co-Founder, TimberHP
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Michael Spreitzer, Sales Engineer, Büttner
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Guillermo Velarde, Principal, AFRY Management Consulting
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PELICE will once again be held immediately following the Wood Bioenergy Conference & Expo, which is scheduled March 12-13. Many of the exhibitors with technologies suitable to both the bioenergy and panel industries participate in each event.

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