The European project Interreg Sudoe DEFOR (DEvelopment of FORest) focuses on the transfer of innovative technologies to small and medium forest enterprises. It started in January 2007 and will be completed in June 2008. This project concerns the entire forest wood chain, from plant production to logistics operation, and leans on specific issues faced in various regions of southern France, Spain and Portugal.
The last meetings of DEFOR will be held in May and June 2008 in Aquitaine. Their objective is to transfer the technologies and results obtained in the pilot sites to the forest professionals and companies, and also to discuss the perspective of development beyond the project.
These meetings are free and open to all: registration by e-mail or +33 (0)5.57.12.28.03 or on-line on Form.
1. Demonstration of innovative mechanized harvesting techniques in mountainous area 
Within the framework of DEFOR, FCBA institute organizes a demonstration of a pilot trial where several forest exploitation methods in steep slopes (55-70%) are tested. This meeting will take place in the communal forest of Lies and Gerde in the Pyrénées on Wednesday 28th May at 14:00, if the weather conditions are appropriate.
Program : Demonstration of long length systems with recovery by skidder.
Machine : Slope feller 8 wheels Silvatec Sleipner Boss (Company Gilles Franchini, Franche-Comté); Skidder equipped with a synthetic cable (Company Tembec Sebso).
Access : Commune of Lies (65) close to Bagnère de Bigorre. Col des Palomières: follow the track and signs (around 2 km). GPS references : N 43° 02′ 27,6″ E 000° 12′ 06,9″
Forest helmet mandatory. Working languages: French and Spanish.
2. Wood logistics for SMEs: presentation of solutions developed in DEFOR project
FCBA institute and INTERBOIS Périgord organize a demonstration of logistic tools based on New Technologies of Information and Communication (NTIC) developed for the small and medium forest entreprises. This meeting open to all public will be held on 2d June 2008 from 16:00 at the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie (CCI) of Dordogne in PERIGUEUX (France). Working language: French.
Program :
– Overview of the existing software and equipment supply for timber yard management,
– Example of the solution tested in the Landes de Gascogne. Testimony of professionals; method implemented,
– Presentation of the main technologies for wood identification and traceability management (Project Indisputable Key),
– Discussion and debate.
A second demonstration will also be held in FOREXPO on Wednseday, June 11 on the exhibition booth of Fédération des Industries du Bois d’Aquitaine (FIBA) at 16:00 pm in French, and then on IEFC-DEFOR’s booth in English around 16:30 (time to be confirmed).
3. DEFOR presents its results in FOREXPO
DEFOR project will finish on June 30th 2008. The results of its actions will be presented at IEFC-DEFOR’s exhibition booth in FOREXPO (from 11 to 13th June in Bordeaux, France) by all the project partners. The booth will be located near the entrance and the institutions (location B2, to be confirmed).
Do not forget to attend the presentation of logistic solutions developed for forest SMEs at DEFOR’s exhibition booth on Thursday, June 12 around 16:30!!
