Features Logging Profiles
Freya Logging: The specialists

In the heart of Prince George, B.C., Freya Logging stands tall as a shining example of a thriving Canadian forest industry enterprise. Founded in 2016 by two families with a shared passion for sustainable logging, Freya Logging has since evolved into a powerhouse in the region. With its diverse team of dedicated professionals, the company has carved a niche for itself in the areas of commercial thinning, selective cutting, blowdown recovery, fire proofing, and more.

Led by the husband-and-wife duo of Susanne and Mirko Jansen, Freya Logging exemplifies the essence of hard work, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the craft.

Early days and steady growth
Freya Logging’s humble beginnings trace back to 2016 when two families embarked on a journey to bring their logging expertise to the Canadian forest industry. Armed with a single piece of equipment – a Ponsse Buffalo King forwarder – and an abundance of determination, Sofia and Liam Parfitt and their friends Claudia and Olaf Weber laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable success story. The early years were marked by persistence, as the team honed their skills and steadily expanded their operations.

Expanding fleet and horizons

In 2019, a significant shift in Freya Logging’s ownership occurred when Mirko and Susanne acquired a majority stake in the company upon Olaf’s retirement. With a profound understanding of the logging industry, Mirko’s invaluable expertise provided the necessary impetus for Freya Logging’s continued growth. Under the Jansens’ leadership, the company witnessed an unprecedented transformation, leveraging their collective experience to drive operational excellence.

“My wife and I are very fortunate to be presented with the opportunity to own a majority share of the company. We’re very proud of what we’re doing, and so is our crew. I feel the industry is changing and we’re part of it,” says 35-year-old Mirko. 

Canadian Forest Industries met with the husband and wife and their team last spring, and they proudly showed us their fleet consisting of eight harvesters: two Ponsse Scorpions; one Ponsse Bear, two Eltecs with Ponsse harvesting heads; one John Deere 1270G 8WD; one Komatsu 931; one Hitachi 210 with 622 Waratah harvesting head.

“We just got our new Ponsse Scorpion with Ponsse H7 head that went to work on the first day of the 2023 logging season,” Mirko tells CFI. “To us the Scorpion is a good machine that can do anything from thinning, to blowdown, to clearcut – basically an all-rounder. We do all of our hauling with subcontractors, the same with low bedding.”

Freya Logging owns six forwarders: four Ponsse Elephant Kings; one Ponsse Buffalo King; and one John Deere 1910. The three log loaders comprise a Hitachi 210 and 240; and one John Deere 2656G. The company also has a Hitachi 260 and two Volvo 290 excavators. As for bulldozers, Freya Logging has two Cat D6 dozers and a Komatsu D85 dozer. Other equipment include one John Deere 772 grader, one dump truck and one Albach Diamant 2000 wood chipper.

“We do cut-to-length with our harvesters and forwarders, and also chipping with the mobile chipper,” says Mirko.

On an annual basis, Freya harvests around 350,000 cubic metres of wood, mainly spruce, pine, fir, and balsam, but also cedar and hemlock.

“We purchased the Albach chipper last December to be able to present the full circle of fibre recovery to our customers – mainly chipping for pellet plants and fire proofing blocks, and to be proactive on fibre recovery since we are in a fibre shortage,” he explains. “We at Freya don’t like fibre being wasted or burnt. Sometimes chipping is hard to do due to hauling distances, but if it’s feasible it will be applied.”

On an annual basis, Freya harvests around 350,000 cubic metres of wood, mainly spruce, pine, fir, and balsam, but also cedar and hemlock in Prince George’s McBride and Valemount districts.

“We harvest everything from 0.1-0.5 cubic metre, but majority is 0.4-0.5 cubic metre. Tree sizes are from six to 20 inches in diameter mostly, but we can do up to 35 inches, and if bigger we have hand fallers to help us.”

Mirko adds that their products are mostly saw logs and pulp, “with some peelers every once in a while,” and the average lengths are between 16 to 20 feet.

“Average skidding distance is 250 meters, average haul distance is around 200 km. We work in a radius of about 600 km around Prince George,” Mirko says. “We have some 30 employees and 15 trucks. We try to have the operators in the seat for nine hours, plus servicing and travelling. An average workday is probably 12 hours,” he explains.

“We mainly work for Carrier Lumber in Prince George, but also do work for Sinclar Group, West Fraser and Drax.”

Roles and expertise

At Freya Logging, each owner brings their unique talents and expertise to the table, ensuring a well-rounded and efficient operation. Mirko, armed with a specialized four-year Swiss degree in logging, spearheads the harvesting side of the business. His deep understanding of forestry practices and commitment to sustainable logging has enabled Freya Logging to establish itself as an industry leader in responsible timber harvesting. Meanwhile, Susanne skillfully manages the company’s administrative operations and ensuring seamless co-ordination across various departments, all while expecting their first-born in August. 

The Parfitts take charge of sales and marketing. With their combined entrepreneurial acumen and a customer-centric approach, they have successfully positioned Freya Logging as a trusted partner for forestry contractors and stakeholders. Sebastian Mayer, a talented mechanic, ensures that the company’s equipment remains in optimal condition, maximizing productivity and minimizing downtime. James Kelly lends his expertise to the critical task of tree-planting, fostering ecological balance and reaffirming Freya Logging’s commitment to sustainable forestry practices.

With a diverse ownership structure and a team of professionals who excel in their respective roles, Freya continues to push boundaries and set new standards for sustainable logging practices.

Specializing in sustainable practices

Freya Logging has earned a stellar reputation in the Canadian forest industry for its specialization in commercial thinning and selective cutting. By meticulously removing select trees, the company enhances forest health, mitigates fire risks, and promotes the growth of high-quality timber. Freya Logging’s focus on sustainable practices, including strict adherence to government regulations and employing state-of-the-art technology, showcases their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Commercial thinning and selective cutting can have a big impact on climate change, fire mitigation and biodiversity, which is one of Freya’s main priorities, especially when it comes to protecting moose and mule deer habitat.

Community engagement and social responsibility

Beyond their exceptional logging operations, Freya Logging places a strong emphasis on community engagement and social responsibility. They actively participate in local initiatives that promote environmental education and awareness, collaborate with First Nations and empowering communities to make informed decisions regarding forestry practices. Freya Logging also prioritizes the hiring of local talent, contributing to the economic growth of the region and fostering a sense of pride and ownership among employees.

Freya Logging’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Canadian forest industry is a testament to the owners’ passion, expertise, and unwavering dedication. With a diverse ownership structure and a team of professionals who excel in their respective roles, the company continues to push boundaries and set new standards for sustainable logging practices. As they look towards the future, Freya Logging remains committed to innovation, responsible stewardship, and further strengthening their position as an industry leader in Prince George, and beyond.

“We are pretty positive about the future and are hoping that inflation will level out and lumber price recover,” says Mirko.