Logging and Sawmilling in Romania?

[Pete J]

Hi All,
A guy I work with is in talks to buy a sawmill operation in Romania. Does anyone know the details about the size and scope of the industry over there?
I would love to sell tools to that market but it is tough without some contacts over there.
Pete

[Jeff]

From what I have learned from dealing with them here and on my www.timberbuyer.net website is they are a bunch of lowlife spammers. I have had to ban several romanian i.p.s from the server because they are nothing but trouble so far. My opinion may be wrong, but I think that people now in the timber industry over there are mostly rotten. I have heard stories of organized crime involved in the industry in eastern europe. Ron W, do you recall hearing that some where?

[Norm]

Your want to be real careful selling into that area or doing any business in third world countries. They have a completely different set of rules. We used to sell to the international market but quit some years ago. It is not worth the headaches.

[Bibbyman]

I've had some conversations with some WM people that have worked in Eastern and Western Europe and Asia.  About all I picked up was - in Western Europe you had to watch out for metal in the logs,  in Eastern Europe and Asia you had to watch that you didn't feed the tigers (if you get what I mean.)

[rebocardo]

Generally, a mafia type atmosphere for business. These are areas where people disappear if they do not make their protection payments on time.

[Ron Wenrich]

I can't recall anything about the Romanian mafia.  What I have dug up is there is quite a bit of corruption where it takes a ton of bribes.  Not a great business climate.

I think I'd look either closer to home or more established countries.  

[smwwoody]

Been there done that....

STAY OUT OF EASTERN EUROPE!!!!

I ran a saw mill in Belarus for 3 1/2 years.  there was a lot of money to be made but you will sure never get it back home.  They will see to that in one way or another.

Woody

[Swede]

I have a costomer who moved his pallet production to Romaia.
His friend lived in Sweden "20" years and last year they moved all maschinery. I sold a new air compressor to them. Doing business in "East" you need to know anyone who knows the climate and are knowing the right people. You are doing business with maffian, yes!  

Their timber isn´t just wood. I know some buying it from "East" and they have  problems with strange noise sometimes. ;D And their sawmill is a cirkular mill!

Swede.