The merchant decided to go the FSC route because of concerns about the sustainability of hardwood elements in plywood.
Wolseley has also announced plans to construct a £2.9m Sustainable Building Center, which will feature wood prominently, at its Leamington Spa UK headquarters.
The company has “pruned” its plywood supplier list to ensure complete traceability of product, with many accounts suspended indefinitely until evidence is given that products meet the government Central Point of Expertise on Timber‘s “legal” standard.
Wolseley UK ceased importation of Indonesian plywood in September 2003 and stopped purchases from Chinese mills in October 2005. In early 2006, the company also rejected Brazil as a plywood supplier due to environmental concerns over the country’s supply chain.
Build Center will now only distribute Malaysian hardwood plywood certified by FSC and the Malaysia Timber Certification Council.
“We actively work to ensure that raw material comes from legally licensed forest areas, in full compliance with relevant national and local legislation and procedures,” said Wolseley UK managing director Nigel Sibley.
Wolseley UK’s planned 6,800ft2 Sustainable Build Center, due to be complete next summer, is designed as a a national showcase for sustainable building products and construction methods. It will include the use of engineered timber and biomass.
