The Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester was a sell out last week with key timber and forestry companies working together to promote the timber industry as a crucial partner in government plans.
The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), wood. for good, the British Woodworking Federation, the Confederation of Forest Industries UK Ltd (ConFor), TRADA and the Woodland Initiatives Network took a joint stand during the event at Manchester’s G-MEX conference centre on January 31-February 2.
The “Wood Works” stand, which also featured the forestry sector’s sustainability strategy Naturally Wood, reflected the key themes of using timber in sustainable construction and in combating climate change. It sought to show that using timber is usually the best environmental option.
ConFor chief executive David Crichton said: “This summit presented a significant opportunity for the timber industries to work together and showcase what we can do to help deliver government objectives and those of the private sector.”
And UKTFA chief executive Bryan Woodley said the summit was an excellent chance for the timber industry to acquaint itself with the latest in government policy thinking and demonstrate to policymakers the innumerable benefits that using timber can bring to building programmes.
The various industry representatives were drawn together by ConFor and the England Forest Industries Partnership.
About 2,000 delegates from around the world were expected to attend the conference, exhibition, workshops and master classes. Deputy prime minister John Prescott hosted the event.
