There was major news for the timber frame industry this week with the announcement of a merger of the Timber Frame Industry Association (TFIA) and the Timber and Brick Consortium (T&BC).
The new organisation will be in place by the autumn and the post of chief executive officer is being advertised.
The move is in direct response to unprecedented growth in the timber frame industry and the belief that a united front is necessary to make it a strong force in the construction sector. Another deciding factor was the aggressive tactics of the brick and block-backed Traditional Housing Bureau which has been attacking timber frame.
Since the TFIA and T&BC directors agreed just weeks ago that a single body for the industry was desirable, things have moved apace. A referendum went out to members less than a month ago and the response was high, swift and overwhelming – all respondents supported the proposal.
In a joint statement about the merger, the current chairmen George Thomson of T&BC and Bob McFarlane of TFIA said: ‘Both organisations have worked hard to achieve this union and we are confident that our mutual strengths will prove to be a huge benefit to the UK timber frame industry.’
According to latest estimates, 11.7% of UK new build housing is timber frame – around 60% in Scotland and 6% in England and Wales. Market share is growing, say the industry bodies, as factory engineered timber frame delivers the energy efficiency, speed of construction and quality-control demanded by builders.
