Gaujas Koks

Gaujas Koks SIA (GK) is a private, independent Latvian wood products company based near Sigulda, about 30 km from Riga. It describes itself as dominating Latvia's whitewood product landscape, reflecting the country's close economic ties to softwood products. GK has over 25 years of commitment to quality wood products and operates two full-cycle sawmills in eastern Latvia. The company's origins trace to 1990, when Vitaly Cmihov, GK's director, opened his first sawmill in Gauja, a small town about 40 km from Riga. Initially tiny — employing only four people with a few used machines — the operation grew steadily despite fierce competition from thousands of other Latvian sawmills. Through continuous investment and equipment improvement, manpower rose to 54 and timber production reached 20,000 m³ annually. By 1999, operating from the Gauja sawmill alone, GK was the fourth largest Latvian timber producer, with output of 40,000 m³ of kiln-dried graded and fresh-sawn timber. A major development was a new environment-friendly, powerful softwood sawmill near Gulbene in eastern Latvia, with a capacity of 140,000 m³ per year. Launched in 2001, it has its own power plant that transforms mill residues into electricity and hot water used in twelve drying chambers and three tunnel-type drying kilns. The design, construction, installation and start-up of the machinery were carried out under the direct control of the company's engineers. The production line comprises modern machinery: log sorting line, debarking station, one-pass canter-circular saw line, green sorter and stacker, with machine vision and computer control essential. All produced timber is kiln dried. GK processes two species: Pinus Sylvestris (Scots pine) and Picea Abies (Norway spruce). Its product range includes sawn kiln-dried boards, machine strength-graded structural timber, various profiles of decking boards, side boards, roofing battens and wood pellets. Timber can be pressure treated at the company's treatment plants. The company sells into Latvia, the Baltics and broader European markets, with dedicated timber trade contacts for Latvia/Baltics and export. As a private independent company, GK remains focused on sawmilling, timber processing and bioenergy integration.

Gaujas Koks SIA (GK) began in 1990 when Vitaly Cmihov, the company's director, opened his first sawmill in Gauja, a small town about 40 km from Riga, Latvia. The initial operation was small, employing only four people and using a few used machines. Despite fierce competition from thousands of other Latvian sawmills, the company showed continuous growth and the ability to survive over the next four years. From the outset, continuous investment and improvement modified equipment to increase quality, production volumes and efficiency. Manpower rose to 54 and timber production reached 20,000 m³ annually. By 1999, operating from the Gauja sawmill alone, GK had become the fourth largest Latvian timber producer, with output of 40,000 m³ of kiln-dried graded and fresh-sawn timber. A significant development that boosted production volumes was a new environment-friendly, powerful softwood sawmill near Gulbene in eastern Latvia, with a capacity of 140,000 m³ per year. Launched in 2001, this mill has its own power plant that transforms mill residues into electricity and hot water used in twelve drying chambers and three tunnel-type drying kilns. The design, construction, installation and start-up of the machinery were carried out under the direct control of the company's engineers. The production line comprises modern machinery: log sorting line, debarking station, one-pass canter-circular saw line, green sorter and stacker, with machine vision and computer control essential. 100% of produced timber is kiln dried. GK owns and operates two full-cycle sawmills located in the eastern part of Latvia. The company processes two species: Pinus Sylvestris and Picea Abies. Its product range includes sawn kiln-dried boards, machine strength-graded structural timber, various profiles of decking boards, side boards, roofing battens and wood pellets. Any timber can be pressure treated at the company's operated treatment plants. The company remains a private independent wood product company based near Sigulda, about 30 km from Riga, with over 25 years of commitment to quality wood products.

• 2001

  New softwood sawmill near Gulbene, eastern Latvia, launched with capacity of 140,000 m³ per year and its own power plant.

• 1999

  GK becomes the fourth largest Latvian timber producer with output of 40,000 m³ of kiln-dried graded and fresh-sawn timber.

• 1994

  After four years of growth, manpower reaches 54 and timber production reaches 20,000 m³ annually.

• 1990

  Vitaly Cmihov opens first sawmill in Gauja, Latvia, employing four people.

Private independent softwood sawmilling and timber products company with integrated bioenergy, serving Baltic and European markets.

• Structural timber

  Kiln dried, planed with eased edges, strength graded EN-14081, can be pressure treated to order. Thickness 35–73 mm, widths 70–245 mm, lengths 2.4–6.0 m.

• Profiled decking boards

  Kiln dried, profiled to custom patterns, pressure treated. Thickness 20–32 mm, widths 120–145 mm, lengths 2.4–6.0 m.

• Side boards

  Sawn, kiln dried side boards, can be pressure treated to order. Thickness 14–29 mm, widths 75–150 mm, lengths 2.4–6.0 m.

• Roofing battens

  Kiln dried, calibrated to size, Type A, pressure treated. Thickness 19–25 mm, widths 38–50 mm, lengths 2.4–5.4 m.

• Wood pellets

  High-quality biofuel for approved combustion systems, high heat output and minimal ash content, complying with EU and national standards. Calorific value ≥ 4.6 kWh/kg.

1. 1Gaujas Koks – Gaujas Koksgk.lv
2. 2Timber products – Gaujas Koksgk.lv
3. 3Gaujas Kokswikidata.org