In this series of articles, we will be sharing exclusive coverage from APF 2024. 


ON the Marshall stand, the team was aiming to bring attention to a range of new products, from brands including Dalen, Jussi, Vahva, Westtech and Zenz. But generating perhaps the most excitement of all was Binderberger.

Allan Marshall told how Binderberger machines were generating interest across the range – from the vertical single bladed upright table splitter to the SSPX800 fully automated firewood processor.

The latter can convert timber of 80 cm diameter into firewood logs 20-50 cm in length and 4-11 cm in diameter. It has a unique knife blade and has been manufactured to take large wood. Designed to create a low splitting force, high outputs can be achieved with a clean sample.

The machine at the APF Show was sold and it appeared that another couple of orders were looking very likely.

Elsewhere, Allan was able to report that the relationship with German mobile sawmill manufacturer Serra had petered out (Susan Burke writes). 

A transfer of the Bavarian fabricator to venture capital ownership had divided opinion between the founders of the company. 

The impression was given that Marshall Agricultural Engineering would no longer be an appropriate partner within Serra’s new global marketing strategy.

The latest Zenz sawmill is the Ecoline, an upgrade of the manufacturer’s popular BN110S millThe latest Zenz sawmill is the Ecoline, an upgrade of the manufacturer’s popular BN110S mill (Image: FJ/Susan Burke)

Fortunately there was an alternative. Roberto Lautenschlager had been international sales manager for Serra, but his services were also no longer required by the new company.  He was able, however, to represent Zenz, another Bavarian bandsaw manufacturer.

 The latest Zenz sawmill is the Ecoline, an upgrade of the manufacturer’s popular BN110S mill.  For operator Gavin Richardson, the Ecoline ran surprisingly quietly and smoothly.