IT'S been an exciting week or so for machinery in forestry. Ink was barely dry on news that Jas P Wilson was launching its own range of tree-pruning attachments – called Mantis – when it emerged one of the industry's 'lost' brands was on the verge of a miraculous resurrection.
For more than three decades, Silvatec was a leading manufacturer of forest machines and equipment, with its range of Sleipner harvesters a rival to anything available on the market at the time. Its basic values of ‘quality and complete solutions’ remained unchanged from the start of production in 1986 all the way through to its ultimate bankruptcy in 2017.
READ MORE: First look as much-loved Silvatec 'revived' with launch of new harvester
But now it's back – at least in spirit. Danish manufacturer Euromatic, which traces its own roots to servicing the Nordic firm's machines, has shown off an updated 21- to 23-tonne 8230TH, based on Silvatec's final machine, the 8324. Featuring a head built from the base of an old 560 model, the harvester has ditched the iconic dark green of old for striking black and blue. And it certainly made an impression.
Just look at the reaction to Euromatic's announcement and how quickly it spread across forestry's social media community. Despite its demise, Silvatec remains deeply loved, and the chance of experiencing that brand again – but with all the bells and whistles to make it "ready for the new era" – has operators chomping at the bit.
READ MORE: Introducing Mantis – the new name in mechanised tree care
And that's no surprise. If the Gremo debacle of early 2023 taught us anything (when Eco Log announced the end of production of its smaller range of machines, before making a quick U-turn), it's that foresters cherish names they can trust; names that have history behind them – names like Sleipner and Silvatec.
It's no wonder excitement is already at fever pitch to see just how Euromatic's build turns out.
This piece is an extract from our Forestry Features newsletter, which is emailed out at 4PM every Wednesday with a round-up of the week's top stories.
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