Last updated on
July 10, 2009

RELOCATION & REDESIGN OF CUT STOCK PLANT

Background: SKS is a subsidiary of 3S, a Russian-owned company with primary interests in aluminum exporting from Russian mills. As part of their diversification strategy, the company identified opportunities in the production of wood cut stock, windows, doors, and millwork for the local and export markets.

Situation: During the development phase of the new business, SKS located a cut stock mill scheduled for closing by Specialty Products of Oregon, a subsidiary of Alcoa Aluminum. This mill, located in Medford, OR, was purchased including all processing, handling, maintenance, and support equipment. A conceptual plan was outlined to relocate this operation to an existing building on SKS’s saw mill/veneer mill site near Moscow.

SKS then engaged A. G. Raymond & Company to design the mill layout and provide detailed engineering for the relocation.

The initial step in the design/engineering phase was cataloguing all equipment at the Medford plant. Dimensions, individual machine/system layouts, and mechanical/electrical data were collected as the equipment was being dismantled for container loading. AGRCO supervised the dismantling and preparation for shipment. A total of fifty 40-foot containers plus several break bulk shipments for larger items were required.

Using the descriptive data on each machine and line, preliminary layouts were developed for the Moscow site. Following approval of the layout concepts by SKS, field measurements and a detailed inspection of the building were conducted to identify any civil, mechanical, or electrical problems. Modifications were completed, and a small addition erected to ready the building for installation.

After all process layout details were approved, detailed engineering on dust extraction and scrap handling systems commenced. A performance specification and ductwork system drawings were created for the dust extraction system. A specification and detailed conveyor drawings were prepared for the scrap handling system. These documents, as a request for bid, were distributed to specialist firms located in Europe and the U.S. Based on their bids, final equipment packages and responsibilities were negotiated, and successful bidders were selected.

AGRCO also provided detailed engineering on the compressed air system and structural elements required for process and dust extraction equipment plus general oversight on equipment erection and installation in the Moscow building.

In October 1994, nine months after arrival at the Medford site to begin the project, all major equipment elements were operational in Moscow, and operator training was underway. The mill is currently producing millwork for the local market and building the necessary quality skills to sell into European markets.

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A. G. Raymond & Company Inc.  1033 Wade Ave. Suite 102 Raleigh, NC  27605
Phone: (919) 831-0070  Fax: (919) 831-0072  Email: info@raymondnet.com