Do you ever get that ‘whistling in the wind’ feeling sometimes, where you wonder just what it takes to get some reaction, as a single voice in such a great big world?
I’ve been very fortunate to have the chance to write all manner of articles for TTJ and its sister publications and this has given me an insight into areas of our trade that I never really knew, let alone understood, with the intention of hopefully passing on this information to others in a similar position, sometimes with a little bit of tongue in cheek.
Of course, one of the ideas behind this column is to try to create a reaction. But, instead, my last effort appears to have created offence in one sector of our industry.
Do you recall what I wrote about marine plywood and its quality assurance? Well, apparently I misunderstood the situation. There are, after all, many mills out there producing plywood to BS 1088, but they do not need to have it independently tested to state this. We have to accept that the goods are to the required standard and refer to the NPPD Code of Conduct if we’re dissatisfied.
The point I want to make is that in this day and age of independent verification there are only two manufacturers who actually have done this and I asked for anyone to let me know if there are more. I have not received news of any other independently verified mills.
The reality is that there are plywood manufacturers out there producing good quality material “in accordance with BS 1088” and as I was asked to apologise for offending them, I hereby say unreservedly, “Sorry”!
But how are we all going to distinguish these excellent manufacturers from those who do not behave, unless we get these products independently verified?
