The importance of the Timber Trade Federation’s and TIMCON’s plans to launch codes of practice really struck me while warbling in a concert the other weekend. Our group has its moments, but mostly we seem to focus on trying to get our own parts right while disregarding everyone else’s. For some reason, the nervous tension induced by our lack of cohesion seems to make us crank up the volume. It’s the choral equivalent of stack-’em-high, sell-’em-cheap. Consequently, few of our audience – apart from long-suffering relatives – come back for more.
Singing from different songsheets has a similar impact for companies in the timber, panel and timber pallet and packaging sectors. You get plenty of great individual performances but, as the TTF and TIMCON clearly feel, there is a need for a stronger framework to enable their industries to act in unison on key issues and to promote themselves and their products in a fiercely competitive market place. Without it, there’s also the danger of the many being dragged down by the low standards of the few. Codes of practice, governing quality of product and service, regulatory adherence and perhaps training provide the unifying framework .
At a highly successful North West Timber Trade Association dinner, TTF president Philip Underwood acknowledged that formulating a code that’s acceptable to such a diverse trade won’t be easy and needs industry-wide support and commitment. This is also hammered home in a letter from National Panel Products Division chairman Malcolm Cowley. But, undaunted, Mr Underwood stressed that the TTF code will happen.
Meanwhile, a ticket has become available for our choir’s next concert. Strangely my wife says she’s double-booked that night and can’t make it…
