The three-day show (October 10-12) at Birmingham NEC is the UK’s only exhibition dedicated to timber products and also featured the release of the Structural Timber Association’s annual survey results, which showed timber frame construction’s share of UK new housing starts increased to 28.4% (52,705 units) in 2016.
Timber frame construction now accounts for 22.4% of new housing starts in England and 83% in Scotland. “The trend is upwards and could be significantly upwards,” said STA CEO Andrew Carpenter.
The report suggested timber frame’s probable market share could increase to 33.9% by 2020 but another optimistic scenario allowing for government driving of offsite construction and large-scale timber construction production capacity expansion says a figure of 41.7% is possible.
Meanwhile, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) unveiled its shortlist for its BWF Awards 2017, covering product design, apprentices, trainees, process efficiency, health and safety and woodworking projects.
And the Timber Trade Federation hosted a trade seminar with the Embassy of Belarus to promote timber trade between the two nations.
The Belarus ambassador Sergei Aleinik addressed UK traders while Mikhail Kasko, head of the Belarusian delegation, outlined Belarus timber and forestry statistics.
A number of Belarusian timber and panel product manufacturers were represented at the exhibition, while Latvia also had an industry stand.
I-joist, LVL and wood fire insulation manufacturer Steico announced a new partnership with MBM Forest Products, which will see the latter able to deliver mixed packs of engineered wood products and structural solid softwoods to customers.
Woodworking machinery manufacturer Biesse was exhibiting for the first time at Timber Expo and showed how the CNC technology in its Uniteam division offered solutions for cross-laminated timber house production.
A full report on the show will appear in the November issue of TTJ.
