A single voice for the UK timber frame industry has been created with the merger of the Timber Frame Industry Association and the Timber and Brick Consortium.
The key message of the newly formed UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) is ‘Timber frame has the answers’ and this will be aimed at both the construction industry and the public.
More than 120 companies have signed up to UKTFA, including timber frame manufacturers, industry suppliers, architects and engineers, builders and contractors, erectors and other trade associations.
In 2000 the timber frame industry had a turnover of £250m and a share of the UK housing market variously estimated between 12-14% and the new association is looking to increase that during 2002.
Its programme will focus on developing timber frame’s share of the English and Welsh market; maintaining its share of the Scottish market; developing training and education initiatives; and increasing UKTFA profile and membership.
The board of the new organisation, which has offices in London and Alloa, will comprise representatives from both parent organisations and is chaired by Steve Hutchinson, chairman of the Potton Group.
He said: ‘At last we have a single organisation to take UK timber frame into the 21st century. Timber frame is the way forward for much of the UK construction industry – engineered, environmentally friendly, modern construction.
‘It is the UKTFA’s role to take the message of timber frame, and the answers it provides, UK-wide.’
During the first year UKTFA will concentrate on providing information services to the industry and the public via literature, the web, CD and DVD.
It will also develop quality and training messages.
