As 2009 gets under way, there are a number of key issues TIMCON is tackling on behalf of members. Firstly, the economic slowdown continues to have implications for business supply chains across the world. The effects vary depending on sector (construction has been hit hard, the food and drink industry less so). But the net result has been a dramatic drop in demand for timber packaging and pallets.
As well as monitoring and advising members on the situation, Timcon is also working with ConFor and wood for good to lobby politicians and quantify for them the worth of the industry in terms of employment and income. And we are planning to involve the Scottish, English and Welsh parliaments in this process.
We are also giving serious attention to the proposal to extend the ISPM15 compliance scheme to intra-EU movements of timber pallets and packaging in response to the spread of pinewood nematode in Portugal and Spain. Our European association,
FEFPEB, is liaising with the European Commission to ensure the extension is the correct response and implemented so as to be both practical and enforceable. This is critical for trade flows across European national borders.
The implications to the entire forest based sector are extremely important as the pallet and packaging sector takes over 20% of sawn timber output.
Naturally we will also be underlining the very real benefits of membership of an industry organisation like Timcon. Our members can access information resources, including the www.timcon.org website, use our carbon calculator, developed with the Swedish Forest Industries Federation (SKOGS), and draw on our technical advice and expertise, recently enhanced by our partnership with PalletLink.
In the current climate every company is naturally looking at costs; but while the economic outlook remains uncertain, the imperative to be part of an organisation such as Timcon that provides a common voice for our industry is stronger than ever.
John Dye is president of TIMCON, the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation
