Wesbeam, Australia - Unlocking productivity and veneer recovery with R7 analyzer modernizations

MAKING WOOD MATTER

Summary

Wesbeam, Australia’s only LVL (laminated veneer lumber) manufacturer, modernized its production lines with Raute’s R7 Veneer Visual Analyzer technologies for composing and drying. These upgrades improved veneer recovery by up to 15%, enhanced grading accuracy, and reduced manual inspection – delivering consistent quality and data-driven efficiency for future-ready manufacturing.

Wesbeam PTY LTD

Wesbeam is a leading manufacturer of LVL and I-joists for residential and commercial construction across Australia. Operating a world-scale facility in Western Australia, Wesbeam supplies structural products to hundreds of locations nationwide. Their growth strategy focuses on continuous modernization and sustainable production.
Founded
2003
Location
Neerabup, Australia
Annual output
95,000 3
Export markets
543+ delivery points across Australia
Raute Partner Since
2003

Challenge

Before partnering with Raute on the 2024–2025 modernization initiative, Wesbeam faced several critical challenges impacting efficiency and product consistency:

  • Limited process control technology
    Existing systems lacked advanced automation and analytics, making it challenging to optimize veneer grading and composing in real time.
  • Material waste and recovery issues
    Legacy grayscale camera systems could not accurately detect defects or optimize clipping, leading to higher waste and lower veneer recovery.
  • Inconsistent product quality
    Manual inspection and outdated grading methods resulted in variability across LVL products, increasing the risk of structural inconsistencies.
  • Adapting to new wood species
    Shifting to alternative raw materials introduced unique production challenges that existing technology could not fully address.
  • Need for future-ready solutions
    Wesbeam recognized that to remain competitive and sustainable, it needed a data-driven approach to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

 

We realized that with the existing setup, we could not achieve the grading accuracy and consistency we needed. It was time for a smarter, more integrated approach.

– Kathy Morris, General Manager Manufacturing, Wesbeam

Want to learn how Wesbeam unlocked 15% higher veneer recovery and improved grading accuracy through advanced automation?

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