How EFSI benefits SMEs in Europe - Swedbank case study: Sadile (Lithuania), Forestry

Sadilė is a small family business that started in 1991 by Saulius Labanauskas, specialising in a range of activities within the forestry sector. In particular, Sadile is active in the business-to-business (B2B) space, cutting and transporting wood to companies that then sell it on.

From forest felling, to the extraction of wood, transporting and handling timber, and shredding stumps and wood waste, Sadilė offers a comprehensive service deep in Lithuania’s natural roots. “We work exclusively in the forest,” explains Odeta Labanuskaite, Saulius’ daughter and the company’s Financier.

“In our line of business, modernisation is key. Ten years ago, a huge part of this work was manual. Today, the right equipment can improve efficiency, volumes, but also safety,” she explains.“The Lithuanian wood industry has faced many challenges in recent times. A lot of the time processes can be very inefficient and time-consuming. Using better equipment can make the difference.”

To modernise its equipment, Sadilė sought an EU-guaranteed loan from Swedbank, backed by the EIF under the EU’s Investment Plan for Europe. “The new machinery meets the latest EU standards, fully-compliant with all legal requirements – particularly the environmental requirements. It has allowed us to improve our production base, become more efficient and cope with rising labour costs.” It has also led to the employment of two new employees that run the machinery.

Alongside the logging part of the business, ensuring environmental sustainability is obviously fundamental: “We make sure we plant a new tree for every one we cut. It’s important as much for the forest and the environment as it is for business.” Odeta explains.

Company: Sadile (Lithuania)

Type of business:  Manufacturing

EIF financing:  COSME LGF, EFSI

Financial Intermediary: Swedbank

For further information abiout EIF intermediaries in Poland please refer to: http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/where/lt