In addition to being relevant, it is essential that information is delivered at the time, place and in the format that suits those who want it. And the provider cannot afford to stand still – just as the market moves and shifts, so does the demand for information. We will be refreshing the appearance of the site and adding a case study area during this year to further enhance its usefulness as a source of inspiration as well as information.
While there are many other sources of good technical information out there, the construction industry could do better – this according to the Barbour Index. In a survey carried out last year, it showed that information offers the greatest opportunity for construction product suppliers to add value. Interestingly, provision of good technical information rated significantly more important than price.
It is in recognition of the forward thinkers in the industry who produce excellent and imaginative technical information that TRADA will again sponsor TTJ’s Best Technical Information Support Award.
Last year’s winner was the UK Timber Frame Association for its technical pack combining its own innovative, user-friendly technical literature with focused, expertly-selected material from other sources. Our first winner in 2004 was Eleco plc for its Ecojoist timber engineering technical manual on CD-ROM.
The award is open to any company supplying, using or specifying timber. The judges will not simply be looking for well-written and well-presented technical information, but also for evidence of how it has been applied by sales staff in support of their customers. Evidence of its use in staff training and development will also be considered. Companies that enter for the award might not have produced the technical information themselves, but will demonstrate how they integrate technical support into their sales and training strategy.
Technical information can be presented in several forms, of course, and TRADA will be considering: product literature; technical manuals; telephone helplines; websites; and events.
Conferences and seminars have always been a key part of our own interface with members. The recent seminar programme staged as part of the Timber Zone at Interbuild attracted 600 visitors, many of whom attended two or more of the talks.
Last year we staged a second highly successful In Touch With Timber conference, followed by the first Timber Industry Conference, to raise key issues facing timber buyers, sellers and specifiers. We will be taking this event to Haarlem in the Netherlands on November 9-10 this year.
TRADA in the regions
Another rewarding initiative for us has been the TRADA in the Regions events. These informal evenings have been staged in Grangemouth, Scotland; Newmarket, East Anglia; and Tortworth, in the south-west, attracting in total more than 200 members and guests with a mutual interest in timber. We will host further TRADA in the Regions events in Yorkshire – M1/M62 interchange (early July) and Banbury – M40 corridor (mid-November).
And through TRADA Technology we are again working closely with Wood for Good, to deliver a new seminar programme for architects, engineers and building professionals. Our target is to deliver CPD once more to around 2,000 construction professionals and industry clients, by the end of the year. We will also aim to ensure that the talks are not concentrated in the south-east. Some university venues will also be included.
In all that we do, we recognise that good technical information is essential to underpin and support timber in construction. We at TRADA have placed this at the core of our own activities, aimed at increasing specification and building markets for timber.
