Starting from the 1930s, wood industry of the region is regulated by the state authorities.
During World War II, Khanty-Mansiysk timber industry was actively engaged in performing defense orders (blank parts for butt stocks, ammunition boxes, skis, plywood for aviation purposes, pontoon bars, etc.). For its contribution to the national defense, Khanty-Mansiysk logging enterprise was numerously awarded during the war with the Red Challenge Banner of the State Defense Committee (now it is permanently kept in the regional museum).
In the 1960s, oil and gas fields discovery in the territory of the region gave an impulse to drastic alterations in the regional timber industry, as wood supply was required for construction of towns and settlements for geologists and oil industry workers, and organization of industrial centers for natural resources development. Rapid railway construction ensured development of new logging enterprises along new transport ways. In the 1970s, new up-to-date equipment was actively introduced in the industrial facilities of the region. For the period from 1970 till 1985, the output constituted 180 mln. m3 of wood. Totally for 75 years, which have passed from the beginning of Khanty-Mansiysk timber industry history, the figure is 320 mln. m3 of wood.
Although, operating in the new economic conditions, logging enterprises turned to be unprofitable because of out-of-date equipment and, consequently, noncompliance of products with modern standards.
In 2000, a logging and wood processing production technical re-equipment and development investment project was launched. It is directed towards sawn timber production for export as a priority. The project started under the auspices of the Khanty-Mansiysk Regional Governmental Programme.
In 2003, “LVL-Ugra” mill — the first laminated veneer lumber plant in with the capacity of 39 thousand ģ3/ year — started its operation in the framework of the Timber Industry Development Programme.
Established in 2005, Ugra Timber Holding has embodied the majority of projects implemented in the field of wood industry with participation and support of the regional government. Today, the Holding divisions perform the full cycle of logging and wood processing: harvesting, carriage, sawing, drying, grading and finished product transportation.
At the present moment, Ugra Timber Holding comprises: “Ugra Saw Mills” Ltd., “LVL-Ugra” JSC, “LVL-Stroyproekt” Ltd., and “Ugra-Plita” JSC.
The Holding targets at expansion of its manufacturing capabilities. Its plans for the nearest future include construction of a particleboard mill and a resin production plant.
