It is the first company to gain Wood Protection Association (WPA) approval for products finished on the Hedgehog, which scores the wood at ground contact level. The process was developed with timber treatment specialist Osmose to improve preservative penetration in response to a spate of premature fence post failures.
WPA Benchmark provides third-party verification of treatment in accordance with BS 8417. WPA director Steve Young said M&M was the first to undergo the audit in 2011 and is now the first treater in mainland Britain to incise round posts to the Benchmark.
Since introducing the Agricised range M&M has established a network of stockists. Commercial director Andy Hodge said: "This quality accreditation for Agricised products expands the scope of our existing Benchmark approval for radiata and pine products used in playground and landscaping applications."
The Hedgehog is capable of incising diameters from 75-200mm and lengths of 3m. This enables species such as spruce to meet requirements for a 15-year service life for BS 8417. For Class 4 this is a 6mm penetration and more for unseasoned timber to maximise penetration of Osmose upgraded Celcure A10 preservative.
"Kiln drying is an effective but costly operation for pine timbers, but ineffective on resistant species. The Hedgehog means we can ensure we achieve a consistent and effective barrier of protection at the decay zone," Mr Hodge said.
