Everyone involved in wood and woodworking in Europe needs to pull together to ensure the industries are strong and successful, according to Jan Söderlind, managing director at the Nordic Timber Council (NTC).

On the eve of the NTC’s 10th anniversary he said a lot had changed over the past decade with still more changes to come.

NTC has big hopes for the future and wants the Roadmap 2010, a strategy and action plan from CEI-Bois which was launched at the European Wood Day in Brussels in November, to go forward.

But, said Mr Söderlind, the Roadmap is not enough. “Everyone involved needs to acknowledge their responsibilities and duties and the work needs to begin immediately. I see the Roadmap as a tool for pushing the process forward towards a strong, European wood industry where co-operation is the key word.”

&#8220Everyone involved needs to acknowledge their responsibilities and duties and the work needs to begin immediately. I see the Roadmap as a tool for pushing the process forward towards a strong, European wood industry where co-operation is the key word”

Jan Söderlind, Nordic Timber Council managing director

Mr Söderlind said the basic forecast for demand up to 2010 is unsatisfactory at only one per cent growth per year.

In order to improve future prospects, he said, steps must be taken within R&D, competence, lobbying and promotion.

“A united European front is inevitable,” he said. “For example, in Asia we have to work as one, We have a pan-European project in Asia now and if that organisation works, we could add on new projects when the timing is right.”