PROWOOD

        We hereby continue the presentation of all partners involved within the international project PRO WOOD - Promoting and Operating a Wood Cluster in the region Brasov-Covasna in Romania.
Beside the coordinating institution ZENIT from Germany, the project also includes three renown research institutes from EU contries, responsible for the know-how transfer based on their expertise and good practice gained over years within similar international projects, including cluster-initiatives: FRAUNHOFER-Germany, TTS Research-Finland and CRITT BOIS-France, as well as four representative institutions from Romania: INNO CONSULT Bucharest, TRANSILVANIA University - Faculty of Wood Industry in Brasov, ASIMCOV and the County Council Covasna, as main beneficiaries of the project results.

        FRAUNHOFER-WKI Institute for Wood Research, situated in Braunschweig, Germany, was founded by Dr. Wilhelm-Klauditz (WKI) in June 1946 with the aim to optimize the utilization of fresh wood and enhance the technical application of wood residues and of small-sized timber. In 1970 the WKI joined the Fraunhofer-Society and with a current staff of 87 full-time employees and a budget of approximately 7,6 millions Euro it belongs to the largest facilities for applied research on wood and wood based panels in Europe. More than 4800 sqm of offices, laboratories, technical facilities and free area are available for the handling of research commissions. As a founding member and stakeholder, the WKI cooperates with local partners in the lower Saxonian Competence Network for Lasting Wood Utilization (NHN) in Göttingen. Further it participates with other European institutes involved in wood research e.g. in the InnovaWood Initiative.
         Actual and future-oriented tasks related to the optimal utilization of wood and other regenerative raw materials frame the focus of the research and development activities of the Fraunhofer WKI. Practice related solutions arise from close cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises of the wood-working and furniture industry as well as with the supply industries.
        Six departments serve the development of new technologies and practice oriented solutions for the industry: (1)Structural Application Wood/Wood-based Materials; (2)Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry; (3)Surface Technology; (4)Process Measurement Technology; (5)Quality Assessment and (6)Technology of Wood-Based Panels.
        FRAUNHOFER is represented within the PROWOOD Project by Dr. Guido HORA - Head of the Surface Technology Department and Ms. Margit FIMM - Research Assistant. Dr. Guido HORA has coordinated the EC-CRAFT and ETI IN-WOOD projects in FP 5 and is also involved, together with Ms. Margit FIMM, in the successor project ETI-WOODISM in FP6, which envisages the promotion of SME-participation in Thematic Priorities within the FP6 and FP7, with a specific focus on the actual situation of SMEs in the European market and matching them with skilled European Project Partners.

         TTS Research represents the research department of a wider Finish organisation called TTS, which covers both research and education. TTS Research acts in the fields of natural resources as well as functionality of the home, technology and services. Its aim in these fields is to improve the productivity, competitiveness and well-being of individuals, enterprises and communities by enhancing their know-how. It serves those engaged in natural resources such as forestry and agriculture, private and institutional households, companies, information services, government authorities and research and educational institutions. The field of Natural Resources acts in the following fields: bioenergy, machinery, equipment and production facilities, labour and productivity, small-scale rural enterprises and private forestry.          Research in the field of machinery, tools, equipment and production facilities includes the profitability, efficient use, safety, and ergonomics of machinery and equipment in the natural resources branch. Practical testing and usability studies are conducted: many of the studies of TTS Research/Natural Resources are carried out in practice - in forest and on farms. The functionality and economy of production facilities (including production buildings) are also important research targets. The studies are often carried out in co-operation with working places (end users), and enterprises (producers, subscribers).
         In addition to national RTD projects TTS Research has participated in European scale projects, both as a partner and as a coordinator. The following can be emphasisec:
         - 2000-2002: FP5 project called SMALLFORE - SMALLFORE - European Small-Scale Forestry and its          Challenges for the Development of Wood Harvesting Technology;
         - 2000-2003: BASAN - Baltic Sea Agro-Industrial Network, whose overall goal was to suggest "best          practice" for agro-industrial innovation relevant to the conditions prevailing in rural areas surrounding          the Baltic Sea;
         - 2004-2006: WOODISM project, that stimulated, encouraged and facilitated the participation of small          and medium-sized enterprises of the forest-based and related industries in the Sixth and Seventh          Framework Programme.
         TTS Research is represented within the PROWOOD Project by Diplom-Forstwirtin, researcher Liisa LAHDENSAARI-NÄTT and M.Sc. (For.), researcher Pertti HOURUN-RANTA.

        CRITT BOIS was settled in 1986 as a resource center for wood industries. In constant development since its creation, CRITT BOIS is today composed of a team of 18 engineers and technicians who realize every year more than 150 services for woodprocessing companies. These include laboratory tests, consultancy services for SMEs, industrial studies.
        Acting as an interface between public research and enterprises, one of the main missions of CRITT BOIS is to enhance the development of SMEs through technological added value. For example, when a company wishes to conceive a new product, or to integrate a new line into its production, or to acquire operational tools in industrial management, or to invest in a new drying kiln, a boiler etc., in order to obtain the key elements of decision, CRITT BOIS provides it with a set of skills and equipment to accompany it with professionalism throughout this decision taking-process step by step.
        Having close collaboration relations with the various constituents of ENSTIB and all research laboratories of the wood industry, CRITT BOIS is also a favoured meeting place of the skills of the wood sector, at disposal of all manufacturers acting in this field.
CRITT BOIS is represented within the PROWOOD Project by eng. Stephane OHNIMUS - manager, eng. Philippe THIRIET - assistant manager and Ms. Virginie WEISS.

        INNO CONSULT was founded in 2004, when it assumed the mission of becoming a catalyst of innovative processes by facilitating the dialogue between the actors involved in the technological transfer & innovation process: authorities, universities and research institutes, enterprises.
INNO CONSULT has a wide experience in the management of national and international research projects and it is specialised in writing European-financed projects, thanks to its experience gained in the Framework Programmes (FP7, CIP), as well as in those of international cooperation (INTERREG).
INNO CONSULT organises "in house training" sessions, on demand and according to clients' necessities, aiming to generate viable projects.
        INNO CONSULT developed a wide partner network in Romania and within the European Union. Among these: the German Corporation for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the central innovation and technology transfer agency in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen (ZENIT), the Polytechnical University in Timisoara, the County Council Iasi, the Agency for Regional Development - Region West (ADRVEST), the National Authority for Scientific Research (ANCS) and others.
        With regard to the experience in FP6 projects, two projects should be mentioned: the SPRINT project (2005-2007), whose main goal was the creation of a innovative network of component suppliers for the car industry and Romanian Days of Innovation, a project which pursued the creation of two innovative networks in the field of ICT and biotechnologies, respectively.
        INNO CONSULT SRL will be represented in the PROWOOD project by eng.ec. Daniel COSNITA - GTZ consultant in România in the field of technology transfer and innovation.

        The Faculty of Wood Industry from "Transilvania" University in Brasov (UTBv) has been set up in 1959 and is since then the only higher education institution of this profile in Romania. The curricula is structured as follows:
        - bachelor degree studies (8 semesters) oriented towards three specializations: Engineering in Finite Wooden Products, Forestry Engineering and Management, a recently introduced specialization, starting with the universitary tear 2008/2009 and Engineering in Wood Processing (which is also provided in English language - specialization called Wood Engineering and also under as a low-frequency study program);
        - master studies (4 semesters) oriented towards: Modelling and Optimisation in Wood Industry; Modern Wood Processing Technologies; Restoration, Preservation and Reconditioning of Furniture and other Wooden Products; Furniture and Interior Design; Wooden Construction. Annually 120 young specialists graduate the faculty, as engineers for the wood industry.
        The Faculty of Wood Industry also hosts a Centre for Continuous Education and Consultancy Service for the wood industry providing short time up-dating courses in the filed of wood engineering and consultancy, research and design services for the wood industry according to the model of the similar faculty, Fachhochschule Rosenheim, in Germany.
        Starting with 2000, the faculty was involved in over 25 national and international projects (TEMPUS, Leonardo da Vinci, CNCSIS, CEEX, RELANSIN), aiming at bringing together education - research - industry in the wood sector, so as to enhance development of all three branches and especially to match the demands of the industry with the newest trends in European and international research.
        UTBv is represented within the PROWOOD project by prof.dr.eng. Gavril BUDAU - dean of the Wood Industry Faculty, prof.dr.eng. Mihai ISPAS - scientific coordinator, assist.prof.dr.eng. Dumitru LICA - vice-dean and prof.dr.eng. Mihaela CAMPEAN - editor of PRO LIGNO Journal, scientific journal in the field of wood engineering, published with trimestrial appearance by the PRO LIGNO Foundation of the faculty.

        ASIMCOV (Association of SMEs in Covasna County) was founded in 1996, aiming to enhance the economic development in Covasna County.
        Today it reunites over 220 members from different economic and industrial fields: constructions, wood industry, machinery, commerce, informatics, different services (repairs, medical services, car services, accounting), mass-media, hotel industry, printing houses, advertising, distribution of mineral water, milk industry, ondulated cardboard packings, agriculture etc.), the most important group being represented by wood industry manufacturers.
It is the mission of ASIMCOV:
        - To represent interest before the authorities;
        - To support the SMEs in the region;
        - To concentrate local forces so as the enhance economic development of the Covasna county;
        - To participate active in regional development, by collaborating with local public authorities and civil organizations to this purpose.
The main objectives of ASIMCOV are:
        - The development of collaboration relations with similar organizations;
        - Mediatizing the activities of the association in order to create a positive image;
" Atracting funds and using them within the region;
        - Participation of its members at business meetings, seminars, conferences, fairs, internal and international exhibitions;
        - Ensuring the participation of its members to perfectioning courses and different trainings.
ASIMCOV is represented within the PROWOOD project by Mr. Lajos VAJDA - manager, eng. Bela KATO - chief of department and eng. Melinda PUSKAS - department responsible.

        THE COUNTY COUNCIL COVASNA, as local and regional authority, supports the activities of ASIMCOV and ensures the economic frame for successfully implementing the results of its actions.
The County Council Covasna is represented within the PROWOOD project by Miklos Levente BAGOLY - county counsellor and president of the Business Promotion Commission and Mr. Zoltan MOCSARY - county counsellor.

        At the beginning of October, the web page of the project was launched: www.prowood.ro. You can find here interesting information on the on-going progress of this initiative for creating and developing the:

FIRST WOOD CLUSTER
IN ROMANIA.