The new application enables a fixed price to be given for early clearing and thinning of saplings already at the tender stage, and the price does not change after the sapling care work. The pricing is based on a unique method developed by Metsä Group that models the working time spent on the site. It also takes into account the variation in the difficulty of the work within the site. The modeling utilizes location-specific working time data measured in connection with previously completed sites, satellite images and diverse spatial data sets.
Seedling management ensures that trees have enough space to grow and that they become strong quickly, meaning that forests remain vibrant and grow well. Thus, timely and high-quality seedling management increases forest yields.
"In recent years, Metsä Group has developed numerous new applications to support the planning and implementation of timber trade and forest services. The artificial intelligence application we have now launched is a step towards more agile and transparent planning and implementation of forest management work, with which we aim to provide forest owners with an even better customer experience," says Metsä Group's Director of Timber Trade and Forest Services Juho Rantala.
"We are also aiming for a clear growth in sales of seedling management, and with the new pricing model, we will be able to approach our owner-members with even more detailed information and offers specifically related to their forests. Our goal is to combine new technology and seedling management practices to make decision-making easier for forest owners and the everyday lives of forest management entrepreneurs," says Rantala.
Metsä Group has developed and tested an artificial intelligence application in collaboration with forest management entrepreneurs. A forest management entrepreneur living in Sievi Juho Hiltula participated in the development work by recording information about their work items and the working time they required for the fall of 2025.
"Based on four months of experience, the results compare well with each other. The new pricing model will be fairer for both the forest owner and the logger, as everyone is aware of the difficulty of the site and the pricing before the work begins," thanks Hiltula.
The new solution will replace Metsä Group's current matrix pricing for seedling management work in stages nationwide during 2026.
