Kamaz, Segezha agree to jointly develop line of logging equipment
MOSCOW. June 18 (Interfax) - Russia's largest truck maker, Kamaz and forestry company Segezha Group have agreed to develop cooperation on a program to test and fine-tune prototypes of timber harvesting systems, as well as deliver and service such equipment, Kamaz reported.
Kamaz CEO Sergei Kogogin and Segezha Group president Mikhail Shamolin signed an agreement on long-term cooperation between the two companies.
Cooperation will focus on joint efforts to create and develop a Russian forestry equipment manufacturing industry. The companies plan to conduct joint research and development work.
The companies are sharing information on the testing of the first equipment prototypes in Karelia. Segezha is continuing trial operation of a Kamaz-1010 harvester and Kamaz-1011 forwarder. Kamaz developed the new equipment with the Bauman Moscow State Technical University as part of a project to set up production of "multipurpose, energy efficient and environmentally safe forestry equipment by using digital technologies in timber harvesting operations."
"Having high performance, the harvester and forwarder are irreplaceable tools for loggers. After western manufacturers of these powerful machines left Russia, the issue of import substitution became urgent. Kamaz has great capabilities in the development and production of equipment for various applications. The company is continuing to expand its range of products and create the necessary models of automobiles for Russian industry. For example, we presented two new models of timber harvesting equipment at the Innoprom-2024 exhibition," Kogogin said in the press release.
"Cooperation with our partner Segezha Group gives us an opportunity to channel our potential into the development of a field that is vital for Russia and the improvement of the line of timber harvesting vehicles needed in the country. We expect that these vehicles will take their rightful place on the market in this segment," Kogogin said.
Shamolin, also cited in the press release, confirmed that import substitution of logging equipment is an urgent problem.
"We support our automakers' willingness to set up serial production of the necessary vehicles as fast as possible. In future, through joint efforts with Kamaz, we will improve and develop the line of timber harvesting equipment, and create new solutions that will make it possible to further reduce labor costs and equipment maintenance expenses and increase productivity at logging sites," Shamolin said.
