SWEDEN (News release) -- Södra is investing in its second coating facility for exterior cladding at the sawmill in Kisa, Sweden. The new coating unit will begin operating in the first quarter of 2020.

"We are seeing a changing market where builders want more engineered products, which simplifies work and saves time. To meet demand, we are intensifying our focus on primed cladding and strengthening our offering for coated cladding," said Jörgen Lindquist, President of the Södra Wood business area.

Södra has noted annual growth of 20% for pre-coated products. Demand is healthy as the product in itself simplifies the building process.

The new coating unit will handle both primed and undercoated cladding.