Timber Trade Federation (TTF) president Kevin Hayes called on the timber industry to support the relaunched wood for good campaign in his address to the Western Timber Association annual dinner in Bristol on Friday.
“The vehicle for shouting about our products is the new wood for good campaign, which highlights all the positives against competing materials,” he said. “It focuses on our greatest God-given positive, which is the carbon benefit forest products have to offer.
“It really should be a multi-million pound campaign…Quite a few companies have put their hands in their depleted pockets and the campaign will start soon, but the funding is nowhere near where it could and should be, so I would ask all of you to give serious consideration to supporting this industry-led initiative,” he said.
Mr Hayes also highlighted the TTF’s growing membership, despite the recession. “In 2008 we grew by 20% and by another 5% last year. When big companies like Travis Perkins and Montague L Meyer rejoining and long-standing names such as Rowlinson and Anglo-Norden coming on board, it gives me great encouragement that we can actually work together as an industry.”
The supply issue dominated conversation at the dinner: “I think the focus this year will be all about supply,” said Mr Hayes. “Production capacities throughout supply countries have been reduced and, in a few week’s time when even a lower than usual spring demand kicks in, I think there could well be a scramble to secure forward supply.”
