Background and importance of wood.
Forest as far as the eye can see.
Estonia is extremely densely wooded. Almost half the country is covered in forest. The magnificent stands of timber are reflected in 1,000 lakes and 7,000 rivers. Virgin forest and riverbank zones are carefully protected. Beyond those, there is plenty of scope for sustainable commercial forestry.
“The forest has held a special place in the hearts of Estonians since time immemorial: it was feared
and respected, revered and cursed.”
Wood for economic balance.
As is widely recognized, forests promote ecological balance. But they also help to ensure economic balance. Thanks to timber processing, Estonia achieves a healthy foreign trade balance. The close relationship to this industry is also evident in the excellent productivity levels that are regularly achieved.
Deep roots and striking modernity.
Estonia spans the whole of human history. On the one hand, some of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited
settlements are in Estonia. On the other, it was home to the world’s first “mobile positioning system”. And the country
saw some of the pioneering work on Internet phenomena such as Kazaa, Hotmail and Skype.
“Estonians will only believe something once they have seen a scientific proof.”
The inner life of Estonians is equally rich. Known as the “singing nation”, Estonia has a wealth of traditional songs and dances that has been accorded the status of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. At the same time, scientific precision is demanded in every area of life.
“Estonians have a reputation in Europe as rationalists and pragmatists. But every Estonian has a
‘summer face’ – a warmer side – to complement the cooler, more rational approach to life.”
All quotes from Lilian Niitsoo, Sorbes employee.
Sorbes locations.
Tallinn – the hub and city office.
Visitors generally arrive in Tallinn. While the mediaeval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the air, rail and ferry connections underline the traditional cosmopolitan
character of the country. It was Ernest Hemingway who noted that “in every port in the world, at least one Estonian can be found”.
Püssi – production centre.
Püssi lies in north-eastern Estonia, on the Tallinn to
St. Petersburg road axis, and at the interface between nature and industry. The extent of human activity in the area
can be gauged by the fact that an artificial mound
163 metres high is created every year, on which a mountain motocross prize race is run.
Production in Estonia – see Repo by Sorbes