Vecoplan Delivers Compact, High-Performance Wood Shredding Solutions for Modern Industries
“We want to be true partners to our clients, and the best way to show that commitment is by understanding their future goals and helping set the stage for long-term success.” – Justin Wilkes, sales manager, Vecoplan North America vecoplanllc.com
VHZ 1600 Installation – Michigan
As sustainability and efficiency continue to drive innovations in industrial manufacturing, Vecoplan North America, headquartered in Greensboro, NC, has been a proven leader in wood waste processing for over 50 years and offers a versatile range of shredding solutions. Vecoplan’s equipment is designed to meet a wide spectrum of primary and secondary wood processing needs while emphasizing energy efficiency and reliability.
“Our parent company is based in Germany, and in Europe there has been a large push for energy conservation,” said Justin Wilkes, sales manager for Vecoplan North America. “This has allowed us to create cutting edge technology that equips systems to save our customers money in the long run, while also providing them an avenue to make profits on waste material.”
A Vecoplan VAZ 1300 shredder installation, known for its exceptional quality and durability. The VAZ series handles a range of primary wood waste, trim blocks, panel scraps, furniture components, dunnage, and more.
Vecoplan works directly with their clients to design the exact machinery needed to convert waste materials for every company that works with them. “We have some machines that are ready to ship out, but these are for smaller secondary operations. When a sawmill wants to work with us on an installation, we work directly with them to make sure that the systems that we are installing match the workflow of their current mill operation. This ultimately allows them to have more control over the quality of the chips that they are producing,” said Wilkes.
Not only does Vecoplan make sure they are meeting their clients where they are at in their current workflow, but they make a point to know their clients’ future goals. Knowing what their clients’ five-year plan is allows them to set their clients up for success and plenty of room to grow.
Redesigned from the ground up, the new range of drum chippers features a modern look and modular design engineered for easier access and maintenance by both operators and service teams.
“We want to be true partners to our clients, and the best way to show that commitment is by understanding their future goals and helping set the stage for long-term success,” Wilkes stated. The type of forward thinking that Vecoplan is putting into their customers shows that they are not only interested in the quality of the products that their customers are putting out, but also that they are interested in providing their customers with economical solutions that will fit growth plans for years to come.
Vecoplan offers three different series of shredders to the forest products industry for processing waste material. “Over the years we have gained some considerable knowledge as to which of our machines work best with which species of lumber is being handled,” said Wilkes. “So, if our client is handling Spruce-Pine-Fir, we would recommend a different series than if they were handling Southern Yellow Pine.”
Vecoplan’s VTH series is built for efficient processing of lineal wood scrap. Featuring a horizontal feed system and a standard 16-foot vibratory conveyor, the VTH series can process a wide range of lumber, slab moldings, and elongated wood waste. With a precision-engineered rotor working against two counterknives, the VTH achieves a consistent particle size and throughput of up to 2,205 pounds per hour—making it a reliable choice for high-volume scrap operations.
The new VTH 600-105 BT from Vecoplan is the first biomass chipper with a HiTorc drive, offering users energy savings up to 40% in only about half the footprint of conventional asynchronous belt drives.
Vecoplan has expanded the capabilities of its VTH series by introducing a high-torque drum chipper model. At the core of this innovation is Vecoplan’s HiTorc Drive system, which significantly increases throughput while delivering multiple performance benefits tailored to the needs of the primary wood industry. The HiTorc drive operates with high efficiency across variable load conditions—consuming just 10 percent of the energy during idle compared to traditional asynchronous motors. This technology addresses challenges such as inconsistent material feeding and delivers up to 40 percent energy savings over conventional electromechanical drive systems.
The VTH 160 and VTH 260 drum chipper models have been engineered for versatility, featuring a 10-inch intake height to accommodate a wide range of applications. Both models have undergone technical optimization and now feature a modern machine design, significantly enhancing their already efficient material flow and accessibility. This design supports smooth material flow, flexible system integration and user-friendly access for both operators and maintenance personnel.
Vecoplan installation of a complete sawmill waste system, including a VTH drum chipper, hammer mill, screening equipment, and a variety of conveyance methods.
The single-shaft VHZ series was designed for tight spaces and is both compact and capable. Tailored for applications such as panel processing and lumber manufacturing, the VHZ series is engineered for dependable, continuous operation. Central to its performance is the ESC-Drive system—an intelligent, self-regulating motor that pairs an asynchronous drive with a frequency converter. This combination enables adjustable rotor speeds and advanced features like tramp metal detection, slip control and automatic reversing, ensuring both efficiency and longevity.
The VAZ series delivers precision shredding and is designed for a wide range of applications. This series of single-shaft shredders deliver a high-torque performance for challenging wood scrap materials. From lumber yards to panel offcuts and furniture parts, the VAZ can reduce input down to sizes as small as 3/8 inch.
At this wood processing site, sawmill by-products are now transported to the pulp mill using dust-free conveying technology, replacing truck transport. The system includes single- and twin-screw conveyors along with 1.7 miles of enclosed VecoBelt pipe conveyor for efficient, clean material handling.
Vecoplan’s range of customized material handling solutions to metal detection and pneumatic systems has the company’s engineering team working closely with their clients to design and install complete shredding operations tailored to specific production environments. By considering every detail—from layout and process flow to start-up and maintenance—Vecoplan makes sure that their customers are avoiding costly missteps and optimizing their new system’s performance from day one. “We work closely with our clients to make sure that the machine’s design not only matches their workflow, but that it is installed in a timely manner,” Wilkes noted. Vecoplan works with their clients to make sure that the civil engineering is taken care of before they are on site to fully install the shredding operations, which typically takes about two weeks.
Beyond the machines themselves, Vecoplan distinguishes itself through its commitment to system-wide design and support. “We have a 24/7 service department at our Greensboro location so we can respond to all of our clients’ maintenance and supply needs as they come up.” Vecoplan is also able to remote into a machine’s operating system to see if they can make repairs to the machines’ software before deciding if a technician needs to be on site.
A Vecoplan designed system processes sawmill wood waste with a compact drum chipper, conveyors, and enclosed pipe-belt transport—moving material for pelletizing or direct use in a biomass energy plant.
With the rise of sustainability initiatives and growing demand for efficient wood waste management, Vecoplan’s advanced shredding technology offers manufacturers and processors a dependable, eco-conscious solution. Whether it’s a single-machine order, complex plant or a mega project, Vecoplan delivers the tools, support and expertise to meet the challenge.
Vecoplan is a member of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, Western Hardwood Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumberman’s Association, Wood Industry Association, Missouri Forest Products Association, Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association, Southern Forest Products Association, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, Mississippi Lumber Manufacturer’s Association.
For more information, please visit vecoplanllc.com.
