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People in forestry have long recognized that, with a shortage of skilled labour, tree planting will eventually have to be mechanized. Sooner or later, planting will follow the same path as all other major forestry operations. The first mechanized planting prototypes appeared more than 50 years ago. In Sweden, a machine called Silva Nova accounted for around 10% of all tree planting in the mid-1990s. However, high operating costs and technical challenges eventually led to its demise.
Two of the people involved in the Silva Nova project were Stig Linderholm – the entrepreneur behind the global success stories Log Max and Eco Log – and Hans Arvidsson, the chief engineer behind the original Silva Nova design. Both believed they were on the right track. The idea was sound, but the technology and the conditions needed to make it work commercially simply weren't there yet.
In 2018, following a meeting with a major forestry company urgently in need of a new solution, Stig and Hans realized that the time was right. They simply couldn’t resist the challenge of showing the world how it should be done.
High-speed reforestation on a global scale was within reach, and Plantma Forestry was born.
With a small team of experienced specialists, a first machine was designed and field-tested in under two years. Speed like that is possible when decisions are grounded in what works, and when the team has an abundance of the right expertise. Our founding team was motivated by solving hard problems, by the pride of teamwork, and by the conviction that they were building something that could help change the world for the better.
The first PlantMax unit was sold to a Swedish forestry company in 2022. Demand grew rapidly. Brazil came first – one unit, then two, then ten, then twenty. South America grew faster than any of us had imagined. Units followed to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Today, in Brazil – one of the world’s most demanding forestry markets – Plantma technology is used on 70 percent of all mechanized reforestation. That level of adoption doesn’t come from promises. It comes from performance.
We are not just mechanizing reforestation. We are removing any excuses for not doing it fast enough.
Plantma delivers the world’s most efficient and reliable reforestation technology – enabling large-scale reforestation, anywhere on the planet. Our machines are designed to be easy to operate and maintain, even in remote and demanding environments.
Plantma Forestry sets the standard for high-speed, mechanized planting. We offer premium products with high performance and focus on large-scale reforestation – we have the solution for organizations that want to move the market forward. Our long-term ambition is to enable reforestation on a global scale, with PlantMax machines contributing to a significant share of the world’s new forests.
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Plantma Forestry is now the leading developer of large-scale mechanized reforestation, and we intend to maintain that leadership, expand our presence in key forestry markets, and enable large-scale, sustainable forest regeneration worldwide.
We aim to continuously develop innovative planting technology that improves efficiency, precision, and quality of forest regeneration, while building a strong global network of customers, dealers, and partners. We’ll continuously work to support the establishment of healthy forests and through large-scale reforestation play a leading role in the global fight against climate change.
We focus on practical solutions that work in the field.
We keep our promises and build things that last.
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We build our organization and our brand around supporting customers before, during, and after delivery.
A foundation in forestry machinery
Stig Linderholm and Hans Arvidsson begin developing forestry machinery together, helping shape and build companies such as Log Max and Eco Log.
Start of MidiFlex
A development project involving Hans Arvidsson is launched, aiming to develop a scarifier that reduces wear on the forwarder, follows the terrain more effectively, requires less pulling power, and minimises soil impact.
Plantma Forestry is founded
After revisiting the Silva Nova concept together with representatives of major Swedish forestry companies, Stig and Hans decide that it is time to develop a new modern reforestation machine.
A time of testing
Further testing and development alongside Swedish forestry companies, refining the product and preparing it for commercial use.
PlantMax X2 reaches the market
The first series-produced PlantMax X2 is assembled and delivered to its first customer, a Swedish forestry company. Machines are also delivered to Canada, Brazil and New Zealand.
Expanding the organisation
Plantma Forestry moves its headquarters to Ludvika, Sweden, bringing company management and the main spare parts operation together under one roof.
PCS – the new control system
A new, more capable and user-friendly control system – PCS (PlantMax Control System) – is introduced, bringing a wide range of important improvements.
Planting forests across four continents
PlantMax machines are now operating across North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden, supported by a growing network of partners and dealers.
The Silva Nova experience
Stig and Hans are involved in the development of later versions of the Silva Nova planting machine, gaining first-hand experience of mechanized forest planting.
First MidiFlex delivered to customer
Following successful field tests of MidiFlex in commercial use, the first unit is sold to a Swedish customer.
Plantma X takes shape
The first prototype, Plantma X, enters the field. Extensive testing begins, combining the proven principles of Silva Nova with modern technology and new ideas.
International interest
The prototype attracts growing interest abroad, and a demonstration tour in North America begins in the autumn.
PlantMax X3
The upgraded PlantMax X3 is introduced, with further technical improvements and adaptations for international markets. Production begins scaling up to meet growing demand.
Growing demand
As demand continues to grow, nearly 20 PlantMax units are operating around the world by the end of 2024. Brazil quickly emerges as our strongest market and an important market for Plantma Forestry.
Subsidiary in Brazil
Due to strong demand in Brazil, Plantma Forestry AB strengthens its presence in South America by establishing a new company in Curitiba. Plantma Forestry do Brasil is an important step in the company's continued expansion.
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