Summary
• Germany’s UK exports doubled to 770,000m³ in 2007.
• Germany is Europe’s largest timber producer.
• German Timber is engaged in dialogue with UK architects.

The German forest and wood-based industry has become a major supplier of high quality wood products internationally. In fact, the UK is now one of the top five export destinations for new products from the German sawmill industry and this mutual business relationship is expanding at an unprecedented rate.

German sawmills are now enjoying their best export results in years. In 2007, exports of softwood from Germany totalled 8.7 million m³, including 5.9 million m³ of sawn timber and another 2.8 million m³ of planed timber. Both the overall increase in Germany’s capacity for timber production and the growing rate of exports indicate a reliable, continued supply of both traditional and unique wood-based materials to the main markets in Europe and overseas.

Today, the German sawmill industry supports a strong business relationship with the UK, and market predictions suggest a promising future of significant developments. Last year alone, the UK more than doubled imports of softwood timber (including both sawn timber and Planed Wood) from Germany, from 337,000m³ to 770,000m³.

On the conceptual front, Germany is also making a concerted effort to embrace and diversify these mutually beneficial business relationships. This involves ongoing dialogue with UK architects and building experts on the advantages of modern wood products designed to satisfy the demands of sustainable and green building, as well as co-operating with domestic UK efforts to promote expert and consumer use of sustainably-produced wood materials.

Speciality products

In addition to traditional sawn timber, manufacturers have applied German engineering to develop a range of specialty softwood products to meet the high demands of modern timber construction.

KVH solid structural softwood timber (precision material), DUO/TRIO beams (advanced material for high dimensional stability), and glulam timber beams and columns for residential and large-scale structures (hi-tech building material for load-bearing structures and structural engineering) are just a few examples.

Total exports of German hardwood reached 727,000m³ last year. Germany’s hardwood exports are currently dominated by European beech, a unique species which is highly sought after for interior finishing applications such as flooring and furniture production.

Oak is another key species used in producing Germany’s high-end interior finishing, such as wall and ceiling panels, doors, windows, stairs and furniture products.

Global supplier

Worldwide, increasing use of modern wood materials is appreciated as the foundation of a sustainable lifestyle, and the German forest and wood-based industry has become a major global supplier of high-quality wood products in this regard.

German foresters developed the term “sustainability” over three centuries ago and the legacy of this careful ecological management is a reliable, continuous stock of timber supply. With a total timber supply approaching 3.4 billion m³, Germany now stewards some of the most productive forestland in Europe – with room for further productive and commercial growth under the strictest international standards of sustainable forest management.

Nearly 31% (more than 11 million ha) of the German landbase is maintained under forest cover, with large areas managed according to internationally respected forest certification standards such as the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes and the Forest Stewardship Council.

Spruce, pine, beech and oak are the most economically significant species harvested from the mixed hardwood/softwood “Deutscher Wald” (German forests), still managed under a system of multiple forest use carefully designed to provide a balance between productive forest, ecosystem and recreation.

Investment

From a business perspective, the German forest and wood-based industry sector has become a major market force worthy of investor attention. Today, the wood-based industry in Germany is driven by competitive, export-orientated companies that employ more than 1.3 million people in over 185,000 companies and boast annual sales of about €181bn.

Ongoing investment in high-end technology and value addition – combined with an annual production of more than 24 million m³ have helped to make Germany’s sawmill industry a market leader in Europe.

For more information on wood products and customised options visit the German Timber Promotion Fund’s website at: www.germantimber.com.?