Scotland’s forest owners have been told that if they want market consolidation and a future for their resource they must co-operate, inform and commit.
The message came from Chris Inglis, executive director of the Forestry & Timber Association, at a Scottish Forest Industries Cluster organised “Timber Markets and Marketing” conference in Dunblane.
Presentations included a report on investment opportunities for Scotland’s forest industries and examination of long-term global market trends, and delegates heard that Scotland is well-placed to take advantage of any development prospects that might arise.
But, they learned, realising such opportunities would be a major challenge and rising to it would need a step change in attitudes to timber marketing.
The afternoon sessions focused on how private sector growers might pool their interests and establish a marketing strategy for their timber supply.
Sir Michael Strang Steel, chairman of the Timber Marketing Group, reported on the group’s recent visit to Sweden and Denmark.
Lessons learned have led to recommendations that the industry needs to:
- develop a strategy to share detailed production and market information and validate forecasting models, across the industry;
- investigate models for investment partnerships or joint ventures;
- further develop the engagement between state and private sector;
- raise the profile of forestry in socio-economic terms and highlight the consequences of market failure.
Delegates also heard that private sector owners need to highlight the consequences of market failure and invite government to support the industry.
