For over 50 years, UPM Plywood worked closely with the transport sector, developing WISA vehicle flooring products and services to help trailer and light commercial vehicle manufacturers succeed. This experience is not just about longevity – it’s about accumulated technical knowledge, specialised testing capabilities, and real-world insight into how vehicle flooring solutions must perform in demanding conditions.
“We want to be a partner our customers can rely on in the future too. Our approach is not just about providing plywood – it’s about engineering the right solutions, backed by rigorous testing and decades of experience, that create real value for our customers,” says Sirkku Salmikuukka, Senior Manager for vehicle flooring end-use at UPM Plywood.
Drawing on industry experience, UPM Plywood aims to deliver value for transportation sector through the competitive product design of WISA plywood, optimised material flows for vehicle and trailer manufacturers, and minimised life span costs for the fleet operators.
“Each element is designed with our customers in mind. Our goal is to provide vehicle flooring solutions that help our customers’ business perform better, whether it’s through improved efficiency, cost savings, or reaching sustainability targets.”
Designed for performance and sustainability
A vehicle floor is not just floor – it’s a key structural component that has an impact on the trailer’s overall performance and operating costs. Choosing the right material can make a significant difference in fuel consumption, payload capacity, and long-term maintenance costs.
“The excellent strength-to-weight ratio of WISA plywood is one of its biggest advantages. It offers an optimal combination of durability and lightness. A lighter floor reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while increasing payload capacity,” Salmikuukka explains.
UPM Plywood’s extensive experience and deep expertise are built into WISA vehicle flooring products, such as WISA-Wire, WISA-Trans Mk2, WISA-Truck Plus and WISA-TopGrip. In addition to high-quality materials, UPM Plywood provides technical support and works closely with customers, providing input for trailer design optimisation.
“With a consistent high-quality surface and built-in slip resistance and wear protection, WISA products are easy to install, reducing production time and costs for the manufacturers. Their durability ensures a long service life, minimising maintenance needs for fleet operators.”
UPM Plywood’s commitment to responsible operations and sustainability is another key differentiator.
“All WISA products are made in Europe from sustainably sourced and legal wood raw material, and they comply with all relevant regulations. We also provide comprehensive product data, including life cycle assessments, to help customers make informed decisions.”
Ensuring seamless material flows to manufacturers
For trailer manufacturers, production efficiency depends on a well-managed supply chain. UPM Plywood works closely with customers to ensure WISA plywood arrives precisely when and where it’s needed.
“Our customers run highly efficient production lines with no room for delays, so we plan together with them to secure stable deliveries in line with their schedules,” Salmikuukka explains.
With three birch plywood mills in Finland and Estonia and services stocks in key markets, UPM Plywood offers flexibility and minimises delivery risks. Leveraging the scale of UPM Group’s global logistics operations helps further improve cost efficiency.
Partnering for the future
Sustainability and digitalisation are expected to reshape the transport sector in the coming years. For example, as EU regulations tighten, trailers must achieve a 10% reduction in emissions, which may require new design approaches. At the same time, digitalization is transforming manufacturing and supply chain management, allowing businesses to streamline operations and focus on innovation and customer relations.
With both material and process innovation, UPM Plywood is committed to helping customers navigate these changes.
“We are deeply invested in the transport industry and will continue using our experience and expertise to support our customers. That’s why we value close discussion and collaboration with our customers – to understand evolving needs and develop products that keep them ahead,” Salmikuukka concludes.
Besides cost savings, customer convenience is a key priority. “We want to make things as effortless as possible for our customers. They don’t need to worry about potential supply chain disruptions, we take care of them,” Salmikuukka emphasises.