Real-time visibility for Vara Saeveski’s 120,000 m³ operation

The impact

Unified operational data

Production, sales, purchasing, and finance now rely on the same connected data.

Real-time stock overview

Clear visibility into inventory reduces buffers and supports smarter purchasing decisions.

Predictable production planning

With up-to-date data in one place, daily planning becomes more reliable.

Faster decision making

Instant feedback helps managers react quickly to changes in orders, materials, and production flow.

THE CHALLENGE

Fragmented data made it difficult to run production predictably

For years, Vara Saeveski managed operations using several separate systems — bookkeeping software for data storage, plus various tools and spreadsheets for production-related tasks.

Even though the entire team worked under one roof, the lack of a unified system made it harder to keep track of stock, plan production, and access real-time information.

As the company grew, these tools no longer supported modern sawmill operations. The leadership team saw the need for better stock overview, easier production planning, and real-time management of day-to-day work.

“Even though we all work in the same premises and managed without a comprehensive system for a long time, I can see a change coming. This was a good time for us to make the transition.”

Andres HummalManaging Director at Vara Saeveski

THE SOLUTION

One system for production, stock, and data management

In 2021, Vara Saeveski partnered with Pinja to adopt a single system to run their sawmill operations. The project focused on replacing scattered tools with one connected solution that would handle production, inventory, finance, and data management.

The system was configured to local needs, with support from Estonian consultancy Reha IT, who provided industry expertise, local language support, and integration guidance. Despite challenging conditions and fully remote collaboration, the deployment stayed on time and on budget, and the new system went live in August 2021.

Today, the system is used across the entire organisation. As this is the company’s first full ERP, the team has focused on mastering core functionalities — with plans to explore more advanced capabilities over time.

“It was nice to be working with such professional people from the customer’s side. The project proceeded according to plan and we kept to the original schedule. We kept touch with the end customer’s local consultant Toomas Vaher from Reha IT on a weekly and sometimes daily basis, and things worked out seamlessly,” notes Pinja’s Project Manager Elvis Punnek.

“Overall, the project went well. We kept to the budget and schedule, and I have already seen how the solution helps our different functions, such as purchases, sales and production.”

Andres HummalManaging Director at Vara Saeveski

THE IMPACT

Real-time stock overview that drives better decisions

With one connected system in place, Vara Saeveski now has a real-time view of stock, making it easier to plan and manage production. Instead of relying on separate tools and spreadsheets, teams across purchasing, sales, and production work with the same information and make decisions faster.

Integrations with existing bookkeeping and local systems work smoothly, and industry-specific parameters were addressed early in the project with support from Reha IT — ensuring that the system fits Estonian sawmill practices from day one.

The biggest shift is operational clarity:

Real-time stock visibility gives teams reliable information

Production planning is easier and more transparent

Quick feedback from the system speeds up decision-making

One unified system reduces manual work and complexity across departments

“Less Excels now! Since this is our first time using a comprehensive system, we are learning the basics efficiently. In the future, I believe we’ll get further with the many levels and possibilities the solution offers.”

Andres HummalManaging Director at Vara Saeveski