Timber traders from the republic of Georgia have completed a fact-finding tour of the UK timber industry.
The group – members of the Georgian Hardwood Association which was formed by three sawmills and CERMA (Centre for Enterprises Restructuring and Management Assistance) – were particularly keen to learn about beech and other European hardwoods.
During their visit they were escorted by Douglas Hall of ACWI and travelled 2,000 miles of England and Wales, visited 20 establishments and covered 11 timber industry topics.
Mr Hall said: ‘They studied all aspects of the trade from forestry and harvesting, sawmilling and kilning, saw technology, sawmilling and further processing machinery, anti-stain and preservative treatment, e-commerce, shipping and docks operations, the International Furniture Exhibition and sales and marketing.’
He said the whistle-stop tour was designed to give the Georgians an insight into how the UK hardwood timber trade operated, what facilities were available and the requirements of the trade, particularly in beech.
