More than 100 new Corporate and Professional members have joined TRADA in the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 41% on last year. We know that one of the main drivers is the need for information.

Our award-winning website has undergone a major facelift, which has not only created an attractive, modern layout, but has also greatly facilitated navigation. The website attracts more than 39,000 visits a month, while the new case study area has proven inspirational as well as informative. Members and others, however, still want printed information and the TRADA helpline is always busy – information needs vary and information products must therefore be tailored to meet demand.

Since TRADA first sponsored the Best Technical Information Support Award, we have been impressed by the range and quality of submissions. Last year’s winner was self-build timber frame home specialist Potton Ltd, for its Practical guide to building a Potton home. The winner in 2004 was Eleco plc for its Ecojoist timber engineering technical manual on CD-ROM and in 2005 the UK Timber Frame Association for its Technical Pack. Three very different entries, but each meeting a need for information in an accessible and easy to use format.

Criteria

As before, the Award is open to any company supplying, using or specifying timber. The judges will be looking for well-written and well-presented technical information, but this can take a variety of forms, such as product literature, technical manuals, telephone helplines, websites, and events. We will also be looking for evidence of how sales staff have used the information in support of their customers, or how it has been applied in staff training. Companies that enter might not have produced the technical information, but will demonstrate how they integrate, for example, suppliers’ technical information into their own sales and training strategy.

TRADA is continuously evaluating what it offers to members and aims to meet their needs with new products and services. Another addition to our information package this year is a series of Construction Briefings on key legislation such as Approved Documents L and B and the new Code for Sustainable Homes, which came into force in April.

The Scottish Buildings Standards Agency has published 2007 versions of all its regulations, which come into effect in May. Three sections (Section 1 – Structure, Section 4 – Safety and Section 6 – Energy) have undergone a major technical revision, and TRADA will publish detailed briefings for members and registered users.

Furthermore, to enable senior directors and managers in timber-related organisations to identify the consequences for their business of recent changes to Building Regulations and codes, lunchtime seminars are being staged in London, Manchester, Bristol and Grangemouth. Demand for places has been high, underlining the ‘need to know’ nature of the events.

Conferences and seminars

Conferences and seminars have always been a key tool for disseminating information and our third In Touch with Timber CPD seminar, designed to inspire and inform about timber’s potential, structurally and aesthetically, was fully booked almost a month before it took place on May 1. Speakers included award-winning architect Glenn Howells, who presented a case study of The Savill Building, Windsor Great Park.

Later in the year, TRADA will again take a lead role in supporting and promoting the Timber Zone at Interbuild from October 28-November 1, at the NEC Birmingham, running an extensive seminar programme. Topics will include The Truth About Timber Frame, Timber Cladding, The Code for Sustainable Homes – what it means for timber, Top Tips for Timber Frame and Contemporary Timber Buildings.

We look forward to this year’s entries for the Best Technical Information Support Award. An entry form will shortly be available on www.trada.co.uk and copies will be circulated with a future issue of TTJ. The deadline for entries is Friday July 27. For further information e-mail ktipping@trada.co.uk.