About the industry
The EU woodworking industry sectors
Based on available data and provisions for other countries, the following statements can be made:
- Production value Nace 16 (woodworking): decline by 20.6 % from 2008 to 2009
- Nace 16.1 (Sawmilling): - 19.2%
- Nace 16.2 (Panels): -20.3%
- Production value Nace 31 (Furniture): decline by 22.3% from 2008 to 2009
- Relative shares of subsectors: woodworking (52%) clearly ahead of furniture
- Sawmilling: 15%
- Wood-based panels: 10.6%..
- Wood construction elements: 19%
- Packaging and other: 7.4%
- Furniture: 48%
A driving force of the global economy
The woodworking industry is a major employer in many of the Member States of the European Union and features among the top 3 industries in Austria, Finland, Portugal and Sweden.
A provider of welfare in Europe
The woodworking industry provides jobs to nearly 3 million people in the EU 27. In common with all traditional industries, it plays an important part in achieving the Lisbon goal of becoming the world’s most competitive region.
A contributor to rural development
Firms are often located in remote, less industrialised or developed areas, making an important contribution to the rural economy.
A diversified industry
The industry covers a wide range of activities, from sawmilling, planing and pressure treating to the production of wood-based panels, veneer and boards; from construction products to joinery; from pallets and packaging to furniture.
An industry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME)
The companies within the woodworking industries are mostly SMEs, with only a few large groups, typically in the softwood sawmill, panel and parquet sectors, operating on a European or global scale. The total number of businesses in the EU 27 wood industry is estimated at 380,000, 150,000 of which are in the furniture industry.