“The next step” in improving UK timber industry representation and co-operation has been made at a summit in London.
Chief executives drawn from across timber industry representative bodies gathered in London on Tuesday to discuss important issues and explore possibilities of working together to give the industry a bigger, more united voice.
Concern has been expressed over the years that the fragmented nature of timber industry representation diluted its message and effectiveness in the face of better organised and funded rival construction materials.
The summit sought to build on work started by the former pan-industry Norton House Group, which identified education, promotional work and lobbying as key areas for co-operation.
“It was a really good meeting and very positive,” said Timber Trade Federation chief executive John White.
“The objective is to make sure the wood industry supply chain is as well represented as we can possibly make it. There was a collective will around the table to work together for the best interests of the industry.
“We went through some of the challenges and opportunities we faced and came to a conclusion that this was something we should continue with.”
Mr White said it was important not to get distracted by what the end result of the new intiative could be.
But he said the objective was clearly more strategic than the former meetings.
He said although there were quite a large number of timber industry representative organistions it did not mean they couldn’t work together effectively.
The concrete sector, he added, included various different organisations which, through the central development organisation of the Concrete Centre, gave an appearance of a united single body.
Organisations represented at the timber industry meeting included the British Wood Flooring Association. British Woodworking Federation, ConFor, TRADA, Timber Decking and Cladding Association, Wood Protection Association, Timber Trade Federation, UK Timber Frame Association, Trussed Rafter Association, Wood for Good and Wood Panel Industries Federation.
