Ascendum and Biond hosted the Closing Session of the Forestry Operators Workshop on 13 November, at Ascendum’s business unit in Leiria — a training programme integrated into the Advance Forest project. The initiative, developed by Biond, Forestis and Fenafloresta in partnership with Ascendum and funded by the Fundo Ambiental, aims to accelerate the transformation of the forestry sector and strengthen safe and sustainable practices in the field.
The session marked the culmination of a 40-hour training programme combining theoretical modules, simulator training and hands-on practice with Ponsse forestry equipment. The central objective was to equip technicians and producers with the skills required by modern forest management, including the use of new technologies and the adoption of best practices in risk prevention.
The programme was attended by representatives from the partner organisations and several sector stakeholders. Following the welcome of guests, the event opened with a presentation video about Advance Forest, followed by welcome remarks from José Luís Mendes and Rui Faustino of Ascendum, and an address from the municipality of Leiria, delivered by Councillor Luís Lopes.
The session continued with a presentation of the Advance Forest project by João Lé of The Navigator Company, followed by the certificate ceremony for participants — a moment that brought together the many organisations involved in making this workshop a reality.
José Luís Mendes, CEO of Ascendum in Portugal, stated: “Ascendum has been present in the major challenges facing construction and industry, but we also want to stand alongside those who build the future of the forest — through innovation, mechanisation and the recognition of the human capital that makes it all happen. That is why this partnership with Biond and Advance Forest makes so much sense for us.”
One of the central highlights was the launch of the Manual on Mechanised Forest Harvesting, an original work by Heikki Ovaskainen, translated and adapted by Biond for the Portuguese market with the support of Ascendum and Ponsse. The presentation was delivered by Pedro Gaspar of Ascendum and José Luís Carvalho of The Navigator Company. The manual sets out technical and operational guidelines to support the adoption of more mechanised and efficient processes, contributing to the modernisation of the sector.
This was followed by an address from Miguel Silveira of Altri, focusing on the importance of projects such as Advance Forest — initiatives that bring together funding, industry and the public sector to work side by side and turn investment into real impact — before the official closing remarks delivered by Anabela Rodrigues of PRR – Recuperar Portugal. The session concluded with a networking moment among participants and partners.
“This project demonstrates how collaboration between public and private organisations is essential to prepare the forestry sector for the challenges of digitalisation and sustainability,” noted one of the session’s speakers.
With this training programme now complete and the new manual launched, Ascendum and Biond reinforce a shared commitment: to empower operators, promote state-of-the-art forestry technology and contribute to a safer, more efficient and responsible management of Portugal’s forests.
