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North Devon Biosphere secures sawmill to support farmers and landowners with productive woodland management

  • Writer: Lynda Croft
    Lynda Croft
  • Jul 15
  • 2 min read

Farmers and landowners across North Devon can now manage their woodlands more productively by using a sawmill secured from our Nottinghamshire-based, Global Machinery Solutions Ltd.


The purchase of the Norwood HD38 Lumbermax sawmill by North Devon Biosphere was subsidised through the Rural England Prosperity Fund via North Devon Plus and is now available to hire by woodland owners across the region to process their own timber.


Training at RHS Rosemoor was provided by Global Machinery's own, Andy Dudley. He demonstrated how the sawmill can handle logs up to 95cm diameter using the hydraulic lift and precisely mill wood to required thicknesses. Andy said: “Sawmilling is a sustainable way for farmers and landowners to produce their own timber for fencing, outbuildings, etc. It can also produce additional income if sold for building supplies or furniture making, for example."

Tree on sawmill watched by several people in a wood
Andy Dudley from Global Machinery training North Devon landowners.

Global Machinery Solutions sells a range of sawmills – however, the HD38 can handle the largest logs ideal for professionals and hobbyists to make the most out of their timber. It’s fantastic to see Devon woodland owners being encouraged to learn this new skill to benefit their land and local environment.

People operating an orange Norwood sawmill
Landowners getting hands on with the new sawmill.

Andy Bell, North Devon Biosphere’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We believe 50% of the forest area in the region is not being managed, which is putting its long-term health and resilience at risk. However, having the Norwood sawmill now means we can now support more effective woodland management which is a real gamechanger for us. We’re looking forward to working with farmers and landowners throughout this exciting new scheme and grateful to Global Machinery Solutions for their invaluable and continued support.

Man with hard hat and ear defenders working with a log on a sawmill

Excellent work from our team at Global Machinery in not only providing the perfect piece of machinery for the job but also getting involved with training to enable future users to get the best out of this incredible piece of equipment.


If you're interested in finding out more about this sawmill and other impressive machinery available through Global Machinery Solutions Ltd, get in touch.


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