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Wood : tradition and modernity

First department in the Rhône-Alpes in terms of timber production.
1/3 of the surface of the Ain (181,200 ha) is covered by forest : 2/3 broad-leaved and 1/3 coniferous.
400 companies.
Almost 5,000 jobs.
Turnover of 231 million euros.

In a protected environment, the timber industry consists of a broad range of activities in the sectors of wood for working and for fuel. The forestry and harvesting activities (500,000 m3/marketed per year) group together 123 forestry operators and 60 forestry companies.

Initial processing

There are around fifty sawmills in the Ain, 3 of which are amongst the largest in France. They undertake the initial processing and produce 350,000 m3 of saw timber and 250,000 m3 of related products. The activity represents 950 jobs.

Secondary processing

All trades within the sector are represented :

furniture - 90 companies and more than 2,000 jobs
packaging (from the production of light packaging to palettes, box palettes, industrial packaging) with 80% of turnover generated by exports,
activities linked to the building industry (roof structures, wooden frameworks, height raising, carpentry, decoration, parquet…) – over 1,000 jobs – skilled woodcraftsmen and wood turners, activities based on local tradition with high-quality products.

1/3 de la surface de l'Ain est couverte par la forêt

Wood for energy – buoyant new markets

In a context in which renewable energy sources are strongly encouraged, wood for energy is a rapidly developing sector: Wood excellence centre in the Bugey, increasing demand for processed heating wood, and increasing popularity of wood boilers and heating systems in the Ain.

Well-adapted training structures

The sector benefits from a wide range of training programmes, from forestry work to secondary processing professions (carpentry, cabinet-making), and in particular the wood organization at Cormaranche which includes the wood science technical college (timber milling and grinding/sharpening) and other organizations (work based training in roofing).

They have chosen the Ain

See companies specialized in timber

News

Luoman installs its Southern European platform on the Plaine de l'Ain Industrial Park

A success for the Finnish company on European and French levels. Luoman, a Finnish company that specializes in building wooden houses and chalets has been increasing its business in Europe continuously over the last few years.

IA'S, forestry survey and measurement

IA'S is seeking to export its electronic forestry callipers. Only three companies in the world produce this type of equipment

Useful links

The Ain Economic Mission

26, avenue Alsace Lorraine
01000 Bourg en Bresse
Phone +33 4 37 62 19 10
Fax +33 4 37 62 19 19

The Ain Economic Mission is a service created by the General Council of the Ain and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Ain