MALWA OPTIMIZES UNIQUE FOREST MACHINE WITH HELP OF HYDRAULIC SOLUTIONS

Malwa’s objective is clear – to create the conditions for sustainable, gentle forest management through stand-oriented thinning and clearance. Despite being very powerful in their class, the lower ground pressure of the machines Malwa develops and manufactures means that they are less destructive on the ground. To get the maximum power, all parts of the machine must be optimized.

Malwa Forest AB is a company specialized in the development and manufacture of smaller forest machines, harvesters, forwarders and combi, designed to get around with the least possible impact on nature. The company was founded in 2009 by Magnus and Madeleine Wallin. Development and manufacturing takes place at Malwa's facility in Skene with about 20 employees. Today, Malwa is the market leader in Sweden in its niche. A major advantage is that the machines can be used in urban environments where it is extra important that the felling takes place with minimal environmental impact.

In 2022, 50 machines were manufactured. 45% of the machines are sold in Sweden and 65% are exported, primarily to the Nordic and Baltic countries. Malwa has had steady growth of 20% per year since its inception, and the market demand remains high.

INCREASED CONTROL AND POWER
Maximizing the efficiency of the machines requires optimization of control and power. At an early stage, Malwa contacted HydraSpecma for expertise in hydraulics and, since 2011, HydraSpecma has been delivering solutions: valve packages, hydraulic hoses and components selected to optimize the system and simplify installation.

– I have great confidence in HydraSpecma. The solutions they have developed have helped us achieve our goals. We always have a good dialogue that helps us find new solutions that work, says Pär Aneman, Purchasing & Production Manager at Malwa.

MALWA FOREST AB

Located: Skene, Sweden

Employees: 40

Industry: Development and manufacture of compact thinning machines.

Business: Malwa was born out of a vision for a better way to manage forests. Based on the wishes and requirements of the forest owner, they want to combine productivity with gentleness to create long-term value.

Malwa manufactures high-quality machines. The company selects well-proven premium components so that operators can trust that everything is working and they don’t have to spend time repairing. In addition to quality, security and time savings are two more important factors that go into the selection of components.

Most hydraulic components are standard, except for the valve packages which are customized to Malwa's specific needs. The valve packages and the hydraulic hose kits are labeled and packaged to facilitate production.

– Having our own valve and hose kits is a big time savings for us. When parts have to be replaced, ordering is quick and we know that we’ll get everything needed. In addition, assembly becomes faster when some of the assembly work and “kitting” has already been done by the supplier, and all the components are included and well tested, says Pär.

Malwa is constantly exploring opportunities to further optimize existing machines and to develop new ones. Central lubrication has recently been tested in collaboration with HydraSpecma. The tests look promising, and the plan is to implement the solution on all machines in the near future.

– The benefits of central lubrication are obvious. It increases the service life of the components while minimizing the time the operator needs to spend on manual lubrication, and that, in turn, increases safety, Pär says.

A GOOD RELATIONSHIP PROVIDES THE BEST CONDITIONS
The relationship with suppliers is important in providing the right conditions for development cooperation. A good relationship builds trust and creates a climate where the supplier is given space to contribute with their cutting-edge expertise.

  – The relationship is the most important thing for us when it comes to choosing a supplier. Being able to trust each other and to work together so that both parties can achieve their goals is critical. HydraSpecma is a stable supplier with whom we have a good relationship.

Christian Corso, Area Sales Manager at HydraSpecma, has worked with Malwa for seven years and agrees that the relationship is the key to successful collaboration.

  – Malwa enables us to find the best solution by being clear about their goals. We have an open dialogue and can discuss different solutions and their impacts. To be constantly challenged to optimize is inspiring and a way of working that I and our engineers appreciate, says Christian.

PROMISING FUTURE
The future looks promising and exciting for Malwa. Production of a larger harvester will begin soon. The machine is carefully designed to meet Malwa's requirements for minimal impact on the forest while adding additional power. It’s a machine that fills a void in the market.

Malwa is also continuing to work with electrification. They currently have a concept machine that has proven to be well suited for work near urban areas where it is easier to handle battery changes, etc. The new opportunities and requirements make electrification an interesting area to follow.