The European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) convened its annual General Assembly in Vienna on 27 May 2025, marking a pivotal moment in its history. The event followed the Evergreen Prize ceremony, which celebrated innovation in the forest-based industries.
© EOS
EOS announced the inclusion of two new national members, Filiera Legno (Italy) and Forest Industries Ireland, expanding the organisation's pan-European network and reinforcing its influence across the timber sector.
A major highlight of the Assembly was the election of the new EOS leadership. Tommi Sneck, Timber Industry Director at Koskisen Oyj (Finland), was appointed President, succeeding Herbert Joebstl, whose four-year term was recognised with deep appreciation for his dedication and leadership.
'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,' said Sneck. '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.'
The new EOS Board for the 2025–2027 mandate includes:
- Vice-President Softwood: Ernest Schilliger, CEO, Schilliger Holz AG (Switzerland)
- Vice-President Hardwood: Maria Kiefer-Polz, Sales Leader of European Hardwood Production (Austria)
Additional members from France, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Latvia, and Finland.
The Assembly also featured insights from global expert Russ Taylor, who addressed market volatility in North America, sluggish recovery in China's construction sector, and the need for European producers to remain agile and informed.
EOS's Annual Report 2024/2025 was presented, providing a detailed overview of the sawn wood sector, round wood supply, and market trends. The report noted a 1% production increase in 2024 across EOS member countries, who produce around 80% of Europe's sawn wood, despite broader economic challenges. 'With interest rates declining and construction markets showing signs of recovery, expectations for the second half of 2025 remain cautiously optimistic.'
EOS also announced its next major industry event: the International Softwood Conference on 22–23 October 2025 in Oslo, Norway, hosted by Treindustrien in partnership with EOS and ETTF.
About EOS:
The European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) represents the interests of the sawmill industry across Europe, accounting for roughly 80% of European sawnwood output. EOS advocates for sustainable practices, engages in EU policymaking, and delivers vital market insights to support a competitive, future-oriented wood industry.
More information:
European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS)
info@eos-oes.eu
www.eos-oes.eu