From the Sawmill to Micron Precision – A Conversation with Kaspars, CEO and Manufacturing Director of KM Building
Some careers are not planned on paper but lived in real life – with sawdust in your hair, cold mornings in the Scandinavian mountains, and responsibility that grows step by step. Kaspars is one of those people. He is the heart and driving force of KM Building, a man who knows the company from its very foundations. We spoke with him about craftsmanship, technology, the essence of log homes, and the feeling of a truly ideal home.
Kaspars, you have been part of the KM Building team for many years. How did your journey in log house manufacturing begin?
It all started during my technical school years, when I worked summer jobs. After graduating, two people were needed to go to Norway to assemble a log house. The very next day after my graduation, I was already on my way to Norway to assemble my first log home.
When I returned, I worked at the sawmill – peeling logs and doing all kinds of heavy, basic work. Slowly and gradually, I observed how the men were placing the logs and building the houses. I felt that some things could be done differently, more efficiently, so I started asking questions.
At one point, two houses needed to be built very quickly, but there was no one to manage the process. I took on the challenge, having seen how others did it. We finished everything on time, although I gained a few grey hairs along the way (laughs). Step by step, I went through every stage of the process.
When the team was producing six log packages per day, I managed the same amount in less than four hours. In one shift I produced ten, in the next twelve, and the others started wondering how it was possible. From that day on, the entire team significantly increased production speed. Gradually, I took on more responsibility, my father stepped slightly aside, and eventually I took over the manufacturing operations as well.
What does a typical day look like for you now?
My mornings start with coffee. The evening before, I already plan the next day – the tasks ahead, the route, and the tools or materials that need to be picked up. When I arrive at the production facility, everyone knows what needs to be done.
That said, unexpected challenges are part of daily life. Something runs out, something breaks, and decisions must be made quickly while planning ahead for the entire team. There is never a dull moment. Often, the days that seem the calmest in the morning turn into the most challenging ones.
KM Building has been known for handcrafted quality since 1999. How has production evolved over the years, especially with the introduction of the new joinery machine?
Some time ago, Jānis and I talked about how, in ten years, hand-crafted log houses will likely become a very exclusive product – something only a few can afford. Young people are no longer interested in learning these skills, and in many cases, they simply don’t want to.
I used to be skeptical and believed that handcraft would always be superior. But today, seeing the precision of modern machinery – accurate down to microns – I can confidently say there is no comparison. To achieve the same level of quality by hand would require an immeasurable amount of work.
Of course, there were challenges along the way before the machine reached this level of precision. But without a doubt, it has been worth it.
Which part of the production process do you find the most fascinating?
In the past, when houses were built by hand, they looked unfinished before trimming. Once all the ends were cut and the openings for windows and doors were shaped, the house suddenly revealed its true character.
I love keeping my finger on the pulse of production. If I haven’t been in the production hall for a day and a half and then walk in, there’s often a real “wow” moment – the house is already a meter taller.
What are the biggest challenges in coordinating work between the factory in Latvia and construction sites in Scandinavia?
The biggest challenge is precise scheduling. When is the best time to send a truck – Monday or Friday? Everything must be planned so that the assembly team never has to stop working.
The same applies to interior teams – deciding when to send staircases, trims, and finishing materials so they can be installed immediately and not sit idle on site. Only this level of planning ensures the highest quality and a smooth construction process.
For someone dreaming of their own wooden home, what is one surprising fact they might not know about the construction process?
Log houses have their limits – log lengths and load-bearing capacities. Wood sets natural boundaries. Of course, modern steel structures can be added, but in my opinion, that goes against the true nature of a wooden house.
For example, you can’t create a single 200 m² open hall without any support columns. On the other hand, log houses are very warm. Many people worry about high electricity bills, but wood is an excellent natural insulator, which means the house itself stays warm.
Sustainability is an important topic today. How does KM Building approach responsible wood use and production?
We work with very high-quality timber, which gives the wood significant added value. During log house production, we also obtain excellent material that is later used for glued panels, trims, and wooden window frames.
Knot-free wood has outstanding properties and is highly valued by carpenters. This allows us to extract the maximum possible value from a single tree. In addition, a log house remains dismantlable even after 100 years – it can be moved, restored, or recycled. Many companies even buy old log houses, saw them into boards, and give them a second life. And in the very final stage, wood always becomes heat.
Finally – what does an “ideal home” mean to you?
A perfectly planned home. One you can fall in love with again every time you walk through the door. A place where the saying “there’s no place like home” truly comes to life.
To reach that ideal home, it’s quite possible you need to build three or four less-than-perfect ones first. Only by living in a house do you truly understand the small details you couldn’t foresee. An ideal home must be comfortable, easy to maintain, spacious, yet at the same time everything should be within reach.
KM Building has been creating homes for more than 25 years – not just structures, but places to live, breathe, and return to. Kaspars’ story is a powerful reminder that true craftsmanship is born when a person has lived their work from the very beginning.
