Rygene-Smith & Thommesen, established in 1883 as one of Norway’s first pulp mills, has a rich history in the wood processing industry. As a producer of thermomechanical pulp, the company faces modern challenges related to digitalization and stricter sustainability requirements. To address these challenges, they have actively collaborated with us at Ameta over the past two years, helping them digitalize processes and become more data-driven.

Transforming Fragmented Data into Holistic Insight

“We had data, but we couldn’t access it effectively,” says Factory Manager Elisabeth Berli. “In our production system, we could see trends, but we couldn’t connect them with quality data or emission figures from other systems. This meant we couldn’t see the relationship between emissions, quality, and production.”

Ameta assisted Rygene in consolidating data from both new and legacy systems into a unified platform. This enables analyses of how various production parameters affect quality and emissions. “We want to understand everything from emission figures to quality,” Berli explains. “How the way we run production impacts emissions and quality.”

Real-Time Insights Lead to Better Decisions

The project began about two years ago, and Rygene quickly realized the value of the collaboration. “We’ve gotten exactly what we wanted,” says Berli. “There has been a good dialogue about our needs, and they’ve been well taken care of.”

With the new solution, Rygene can now monitor production and energy consumption in real-time. “Now we can sit at home and see how production is going,” Berli shares. “Previously, we had to call or be physically present to get this information. Now, we have all the data available whenever we need it.”

This real-time insight has also been beneficial for other departments at Rygene. “Even those in the office, like Solveig who works with logistics and transport, want access,” she says. “Now she knows if there are any delays and can plan accordingly.”

The data also provides a foundation for better investment decisions. “We can now measure the effects of initiatives to a much greater extent,” Berli notes. “When we consider new investments, we have concrete data to support our decisions.”

Moving Forward with Ameta

Rygene is already working on a new project with Ameta to meet the requirements of the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). “We need to comply with the regulations by the end of the year, so the project is in full swing,” Berli explains. “We’re now working on internal tracking in the company, from when the wood chips come in until the product goes out. With Ameta’s help, we’re going to make it happen.”

Together, we’re also planning to implement live reports on key figures and KPIs. “It’s about productivity and machine uptime,” she says. “And about energy consumption and the use of other input factors. With real-time data, we can optimize production continuously.”

Our CEO at Ameta, Eivind Døvik, expresses his enthusiasm: “It’s inspiring to see how Rygene actively uses data to improve their processes. Their commitment and willingness to innovate make the collaboration both exciting and meaningful. We’re proud to contribute to their success.”

A Partnership Based on Understanding and Commitment

Regarding the collaboration with Ameta, Berli is very positive. “I feel they are attentive and service-minded,” she says. “When we have a need, we get quick help or assistance. They have truly understood our challenges and deliver solutions that work for us.”

Senior Operations Engineer Jarl-Ove Omland adds: “It’s been extremely valuable to plan together with them. By setting aside a bit of extra time when they are with us, we’ve been able to delve deeper into issues and ask and answer questions that wouldn’t have come up over email. The close and direct contact has made the collaboration effective.”

Eivind Døvik emphasizes the importance of close cooperation: “For us at Ameta, it’s about being there for the customer and truly understanding their needs. By working closely together, we can develop solutions that provide real value and help them achieve their goals.”

From Tradition to Innovation

With Ameta as a partner, Rygene-Smith & Thommesen has taken an important step toward a more efficient and data-driven production. We look forward to continuing the collaboration and leveraging the many opportunities that lie in the new solution. “We now have the tools we need to improve our production,” concludes Berli. “Ameta doesn’t just help us collect data but transforms it into concrete insights that make us better.”