03 WINTER 2018/2019 www.timbermedia.co.uk ISSN 2517-26X (PRINT)
HOPPINGS THE BEAST FROM THE SOUTH EAST The family firm founded after the First World War outlines its ambitious growth plans for the future / 14 PORT REPORT
STRONG ROOTS
How UK ports are keeping the supply of timber flowing / 10
TTUK travelled to Sweden to see how Södra produces some of the world’s most sustainable timber / 17
01582 592707
CONTENTS WINTER 2018/2019 02
10
WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK 02 NEWS
The latest news and developments from the sector including LIGNIA Wood Company signing a distribution agreement with Timber Connection and Beers Timber Holdings completing the purchase of Tonge Bridge Timber of Bolton
10 PORT REPORT
The UK’s growing demand for forest products has seen an increase in the volume of products passing through UK ports
14
17
14 COVER STORY: HOPPINGS SOFTWOOD PRODUCTS
The family firm has a rich history, having been founded after the First World War, but its focus is firmly on the future with ambitious plans for growth
17 GETTING TO THE ROOT OF SUSTAINABILITY
21
24
Timber Trader travelled to southern Sweden to see how Södra – the country’s largest forest-owner cooperative – produces some of the most sustainable timber in the world
21 PERFECTING THE PROCESS
How the timber processing sector is overcoming significant challenges to ensure a steady supply (photo © Charles Ransford and Son)
24 INTERVIEW: IAN CHURCH
27
31
The managing director of Snows Timber talks to Timber Trader about keeping up with increasing demand and the company’s plans for the future
27 REVIEW: TIMBER EXPO
The theme for this year’s UK Construction Week, ‘Future of Construction’ was evident throughout Timber Expo with a range of innovative organisations showcasing pioneering ideas
31 REVIEW: W EXHIBITION & ELEMENTS 2018
W Exhibition and sister show, Elements celebrated a record year, attracting people from across Europe and further afield
EDITOR Michelle Gordon michelle.gordon@timbermedia.co.uk
SALES DIRECTOR Terry Hanlon terry.hanlon@timbermedia.co.uk 01925 270093
DESIGN Pete Awad artwork@timbermedia.co.uk
Registered address: 73 Cross Lane, Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside WA12 9QA Registered in England and Wales. Company Number 10839173. VAT registration number 271 5498 81
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WINTER 2018/2019
NEWS
SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE Modified timber manufacturer LIGNIA Wood Company has signed a distribution agreement with one of the UK’s leading timber distributors – Timber Connection. The exclusive five-year agreement will see Timber Connection distributing LIGNIA’s products across the UK and the Republic of Ireland from its 150,000ft² base in Kirkby. LIGNIA is a natural, modified timber. The company’s manufacturing process involves taking sustainably-sourced, FSC softwood and modifying it into high-performance timber. It is also enhanced to include greater durability, with a 50-year warranty against rot and decay in above-ground applications, plus improved performance for shrinkage and swelling. Established in 1991, Timber Connection is a leading supplier of commercially-imported hardwoods and premium grade softwoods to the importer/merchant sector within the UK and Ireland. LIGNIA’s commercial director Steve Rogers said: “We’re
Standing, left to right, Steve Rogers of LIGNIA, Keeley Baker and David Green of Timber Connection. Seated, left to right, Hans Ng of LIGNIA and Danny Catherall of Timber Connection
delighted to be working with Timber Connection in the UK and the Republic of Ireland for our LIGNIA products. They have both an excellent reputation and the ability to develop full national coverage into our chosen market sectors, so we’re
and believe we are the ideal partner to establish the LIGNIA brand in the
now looking to leverage the competitive advantage they bring to ensure
UK and Ireland. Having had the chance to follow developments over the
LIGNIA becomes the product of choice in these markets.”
last 12 months from their company’s inspiring base in Barry we are hugely
Timber Connection’s managing director Danny Catherall added: “Timber Connection is really looking forward to this exciting opportunity
impressed and look forward to working with the LIGNIA team to ensure success for both of our businesses going forward”.
NEW HEAD FOR FORESTRY SCHOOL Forestry commissioner Amanda Bryan
construction as well as further develop our
has been appointed head of the Scottish
research and outreach facilities.”
School of Forestry at Inverness College
Over the next six months, Bryan will
UHI, on an interim basis following the
work with colleagues to scope out the
departure of Elizabeth Barron-Majerik.
future direction for the Scottish School
Bryan, whose career spans over 25
of Forestry, the only provider of further
years in land management and rural
education and higher education forestry
and community development in the
and arboriculture courses in Scotland, and
Highlands and Islands, has been a forestry
set a plan for the next 10 years.
commissioner since 2012. She has also
Amanda has been a part-time lecturer
been chair of the Forestry Commission’s
at the school for over five years and leads
National Committee Scotland since 2015
on its BSc (Hons) Forest Management
and is chair of the board of Crown Estate
degree.
Scotland and a board member for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Professor Chris O’Neil, principal of Inverness College UHI, said: “I am delighted
She said: “I am delighted to be given
that Amanda has agreed to become head
this opportunity to help shape the future of
of the Scottish School of Forestry and lead
the Scottish School of Forestry and build on
on its development plans for the future.
its already considerable heritage. The fact
She brings significant experience and
that the forestry sector is expanding at a
strong networks across the forestry and
time when it is facing an ageing workforce
rural sectors to the position and will be
means there are lots of opportunities for
a major asset as we look to enhance the
our current and future graduates at all
school’s offering, develop new areas of the
levels. We need to make sure that our
curriculum and strengthen its position as
courses remain relevant into the future.
one of the best forestry schools in the UK.”
There is also huge potential to expand links with timber processing and offsite
02
Elizabeth Barron-Majerik recently took up the post of Lantra Scotland director.
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WINTER 2018/2019
NEWS
PART OF THE FAMILY Family-owned Beers Timber Holdings has announced the completion of the purchase of Tonge Bridge Timber of Bolton. The Liverpool-based group, which celebrated its centenary in 2016, also owns Beers Timber and Building Supplies, MBS Plumbing Supplies and wholesale timber distributor Evans Bellhouse operating from 15 depots across Merseyside, Wirral, Manchester and Cheshire. The purchase of Tonge Bridge Timber will increase group turnover to £37m and the enlarged group will employ 160 staff across its depots in the North West. Tonge Bridge Timber is an importer and manufacturer of machined timber products, supplying to timber & builders’ merchants, and
many similarities in culture between the two
business. Previous co-owner Brian Kirkpatrick
large end users in the north of England from its
businesses.
will ultimately be retiring from the business but is continuing in the short term as a consultant.
“The purchase will enhance and complement
three-acre machining facility in Bolton. Tonge
The deal team for Beers consisted of
Bridge Timber has built a reputation with its
our position as suppliers of quality timber and
customers for supplying high-quality products
building materials in the North West. There is
Langtons Accountants, Liverpool, and Bermans
with excellent customer service.
great potential to grow the business and integrate
Solicitors, Liverpool, and The Bank Of Scotland
it within our existing businesses.”
(Liverpool office) provided funding.
Managing director of the Beers Group
The deal team for Tonge Bridge consisted of
The existing management team and staff at
Michael Beer said: “I am very pleased and excited to have completed the purchase of Tonge Bridge
Tonge Bridge Timber led by managing director
Pierce Business Advisory, Blackburn; Hill Eckersley
Timber, being a family-owned business, we see
Andrew Broddle will be staying on to run the
Accountants, Bolton, and KBL Solicitors, Bolton.
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WINTER 2018/2019
NEWS
STUDENT WINS AWARD FOR BEST NEW PLANTING APPLICATION Inverness College UHI student Ryan Assal is celebrating after winning a prestigious award from Tilhill Forestry. The 33-year-old, who is in the third year of the University of the Highlands and Islands’ BSc (Hons) in Forest Management, scooped the award for Best New Planting Application following a report he prepared on
Julian Hollingdale, Ryan Assal and Amanda Bryan
woodland creation in his forestry policy and law module. He was presented with a specially carved wooden trophy in the shape
“It’s great to see students like Ryan excelling in their studies and learning
of an acorn by Tilhill Forestry’s Julian Hollingdale at Inverness College UHI’s
important skills such as how to draft a woodland creation plan. We run an
Scottish School of Forestry at Balloch.
awards programme with a number of universities across UK and Tilhill has a
As part of its work to strengthen links with future foresters, Tilhill Forestry
long association with Inverness College UHI. It’s an excellent university and
presents awards to top performing students at universities in the UK which
some of our past and present employees have studied there. I was delighted
offer degrees in forestry-related subjects.
to be able to present this prestigious award.”
Assal, who lives in Beauly, was tasked with developing a woodland
Amanda Bryan, head of the Scottish School of Forestry and programme
creation operational plan for a hypothetical site near Evanton, similar to the
leader for the BSc (Hons) in Forest Management, said: “The Scottish
plan most foresters will complete when trying to access grant funding for new
Government has a target of creating 10,000 hectares of new woodland
woodland projects.
every year. Foresters regularly work with land owners and managers to
He said: “I am over the moon to win this award. I wasn’t the most
develop proposals to create new woodland and completing this kind of mock
academic in school, but I always loved being outside. I’ve finally found a career
application is exactly the kind of work they will be doing when they leave
path I’m really passionate about so it’s such an honour to be recognised in this
university. Ryan has found his future at the Scottish School of Forestry and we
way by a company like Tilhill Forestry.”
are all incredibly proud of what he has achieved, developing a plan which was
Julian Hollingdale, Tilhill Forestry’s North Highland district manager, said:
first class in terms of quality and content.”
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Sawn, Planed and Glulam Timber
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NEWS
SÖDRA REPORTS STRONG RESULT WITH RISE IN SALES Sweden’s largest forest-owner association Södra reported a sustained strong operating profit of SEK 1,277 million for the third quarter of 2018 with all business areas reporting good results. Net sales for the third quarter rose 22% to SEK 5,826 million compared with the year-earlier period, and the operating margin improved to 22% with market conditions for forest products remaining favourable for the immediate future. For the first nine months of the year net sales amounted to SEK 18,168 million and operating profit totalled SEK 3,533 million. Return on capital employed rose to 28% and a strong cash flow and healthy liquidity have significantly strengthened Södra’s financial
Lars Idermark, president and CEO
situation with the equity ratio rising to 59%. “In the third quarter, profit was very satisfactory, especially in light of the challenges
wood products was also favourable and is
important future player when it comes to solving
expected to remain strong for some time yet.
the major climate challenges.”
“Investments at the facility for cross-
for timber sourcing and production caused by
In the Södra Wood business area, operating
the summer’s extreme weather conditions,” said
laminated timber (CLT) production and the
profit for the period totalled SEK 162 million
Lars Idermark, president and CEO.
construction of the biomethanol plant in
and reflects the sustained favourable price
Mönsterås are on track. These long-term
level for sawn timber, as well as the continuing
restructuring over the past few years were timely
investments aim to strengthen Södra’s market
positive impact from the ongoing restructuring
and Södra’s production facilities are now more
position in both processed wood products
process.
competitive. Demand for paper pulp remained
and liquid biofuel. The interest in timber
strong and we see no signs of a weakening in the
construction, with its positive effects on the
discontinued and the results since the second
medium term. Demand for sawn and processed
environment, has increased and forestry is an
quarter refer solely to the sawmill operations.
“The extensive investment programme and
The interior wood segment has largely been
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SCOTTISH FORESTRY A bright future lies ahead for Scottish forestry if an integrated land use strategy undertaken by the Scottish Government is realised, said Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). Responding to Scotland’s Forestry Strategy for 2019 to 2029, which underpins forestry, farming and other sectors, Katy Dickson, head of policy at Scottish Land & Estates said: “Forestry is a key sector for landbased businesses and the rural economy, and the private sector has a vital role to play in helping the Scottish Government achieve its increased tree planting targets.” The organisation said it supported efforts to promote and develop sustainable forestry but recognised achieving consensus over different land uses was not
enabling landholders in making the correct choices for their business
always a simple process.
which will then go on to deliver for the economy, environment and
“We welcome the long-term approach taken in this new strategy document and believe the government’s vision for forestry is broadly in
community. “We would like to see greater acknowledgement from government
tune with the wishes of rural businesses such as estates and farms who
that there will be conflicts around land use choices rather than see
will work to deliver many of these goals,” said Dickson.
integration strategies developed which dictate what a land use should
“Where we would like to see the strategy enhanced is in decisions
be. We want to see an approach which creates a supportive framework
regarding land use and in particular, diversification from one type of land
to encourage land managers to achieve a mix of land uses and recognises
use into forestry. Many businesses want a mixture of farming, forestry and
that compromise will often be required in planting the right tree, in the
other activities such as energy or tourism on their land. We fully support
right place for the right purpose.”
06
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WINTER 2018/2019
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NEWS
MERGER CREATES UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT TIMBER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY Arnold Laver & Co Limited has merged with The National Timber Group, creating the largest independent timber distribution company in the UK. The new, enlarged group has a combined revenue of almost £250m, 52 distribution and processing sites extending from the north of Scotland to London and the South West and over 1,300 employees. The National Timber Group is a collective of market-leading added-value timber distribution companies, including Thornbridge Sawmills, North Yorkshire Timber and Rembrand, which serve a diverse and varied customer base including joiners, regional housebuilders, commercial companies and infrastructure projects. Arnold Laver is the timber division of Arnold Laver Holdings Limited, a family-run company established in 1920. It imports, distributes and manufactures a wide range of timber, panels,
The merger was prompted by shareholders’ decision to focus on their
decorative surfaces and joinery products, serving public and private sector
existing property and leisure interests. Owners Andrew Laver and Mark
construction, house-building and commercial companies.
Bower will remain in the business to ensure an effective handover and a
With its annual turnover in excess of £130 million, it has 13 distribution and processing depots across the UK, a national production centre at Mosborough near Sheffield and a workforce of over 750 employees. The enlarged group will be led by Rob Barclay, group chief executive, who
smooth transition. “Once we had taken the decision to consolidate our interests, our priority was to find a partner with shared goals and values who would help our timber business to fulfil its potential,” said Laver. “Both companies have much in common in terms of heritage, outstanding product quality and a commitment
joined The National Timber Group in June. He said: “We are delighted to partner with Arnold Laver and welcome
to the highest standards of customer service, which makes this merger a very
them to the Group. The merger is highly complementary – together, we are
good fit. I am confident that the business is in very capable hands and that it
able extend our presence nationwide, pursue further growth and are well-
will continue to thrive and prosper.”
positioned to capitalise on the market-leading position we have established.
The transaction is being supported by further investment from Cairngorm
Additionally, our values, vision and commitment to customers are completely
Capital Partners LLP and was led by investment director Neil McGill, who
aligned, which creates exciting opportunities for us both.”
added: “The UK timber market remains highly fragmented and offers many
The group will have three divisions: a Scottish division, headquarted in
opportunities for well-organised, high-quality businesses such as The National
Grangemouth and led by Alex McLeod who joined as managing director,
Timber Group and Arnold Laver. As investors, we have been working hard to
Scotland, in September; one headquartered in Sheffield led by the Arnold
find opportunities to scale our timber interests rapidly, so we are delighted to
Laver management team and a third headquartered in Northallerton and led
be able to support this partnership. We believe we now have a great platform
by Nick Kershaw, managing director.
for further growth under the leadership of an exceptional management team.”
NEW APPOINTMENT FOR GALBRAITH FORESTRY DIVISION Galbraith, one of Scotland’s leading rural
said: “Denis will be a valuable asset to our team.
agencies, has appointed Denis Torley to its
He has over 20 years of professional forestry
forestry division.
experience in both the private and regulatory
Based in Inverness, it is one of the largest in
sector in the Highlands. In recent years Denis
the country, managing over 20,000 hectares of
has been especially involved in forestry agency
woodland ranging from commercial plantations
and investment purchases and in the creation
and restoration to traditional mixed policy
of new woodlands for private clients. He is
woodlands.
also an experienced negotiator in relation to
It offers advice and professional services
Environmental Impact Assessments, mitigation
to landowners nationwide and has conducted
arrangements, and consultancy agreements in
numerous applications to the Woodland Carbon
the forestry and renewable energy sectors. These
Code on behalf of clients.
are all of great relevance to our clients and we
Philippa Cliff, head of forestry for Galbraith,
09
look forward to having him in the team.”
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WINTER 2018/2019
PORT REPORT
BUOYANT TRADE As demand for timber and timber products grows, there has been a continuing increase in the volume of material being imported into the UK, creating a booming trade for our ports The Finland Terminal at ABP’s Humber ports
E
ach year the UK imports over 5 million
amid a dwindling homegrown supply, the trend
tonnes of conventional forest products
shows no signs of slowing down.
(excluding biomass/wood fuel) and it is
UK ports have responded to the growing
tonnes through Clydeport. “Our ports are not simply a destination point where cargo is loaded and unloaded,”
estimated that an additional 10 million
market, by investing in their facilities to offer a
said Jason Mayor, group business development
tonnes of forest products are imported in
range of additional services from storage and
manager at Peel Ports. “We go above and
stock management to timber treatments.
beyond to ensure our services help customers
containers.
unlock value in their supply chains. This not only
According to Forest Research, the UK
was the second largest net importer of forest products in 2016, behind China, and wood
helps our customers, but it’s helped grow our
PEEL PORTS The Port of Sheerness, part of Peel Ports’
business to become one of the major players in the sector.”
products imported in 2017 were valued at £7.8
London Medway Cluster, imports and handles
billion, including 7.9 million cubic metres of
over 1.2 million tonnes of conventional forest
sawnwood, 3.4 million cubic metres of wood-
products annually. Over the past few years over
based panels, 6.9 million tonnes of wood pellets
200,000 tonnes of bulk product (plus at least
utilising in excess of 131,000m2 of internal
and 5.6 million tonnes of paper.
as much again in containers) has also passed
storage for paper, pulp, plywood and a timber
through its port, Liverpool and over 100,000
treatment facility, with 10 acres of external
As demand for timber continues to increase,
The Port of Sheerness provides a number of bespoke solutions for forest product customers,
timber storage. It offers stevedoring, storage (internal and external), stock management, pick and pack services, damaged reel repairs, outloading for onward distribution and in partnership with two timber customers – timber treatment. The Port of Liverpool can receive shipments in bulk and containerised form and containerised shipments can be unloaded and stored as bulk products to give flexibility to customers. It also offers a multi-user warehousing facility, where multiple customers can store cargo and scale the size of their warehousing footprint based on demand. It handles dispatch, labelling, sorting and repackaging, enabling its customers to ship directly to their customers, rather than London Medway, Peel Ports
10
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transporting goods to a distribution centre
across the country.
WINTER 2018/2019
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WINTER 2018/2019
PORT REPORT and an on-site wood treatment plant for sheet materials and timber. It also has the facilities to handle products that have been domestically produced. Dundee, Grangemouth, Methil and Burntisland are its principal paper and forest products ports in Scotland, offering facilities to handle the full spectrum of products from both containerised and breakbulk cargoes. Grangemouth has a dedicated Forest Products Terminal offering devanning, loading, warehousing and stock management. Products are handled by a fleet of forklift trucks, fitted with various clamp types for paper and pulp. Dundee has been a forest product specialist for over 35 years, handling newsprint, pulp and timber products and offering a significant timber
Hull Humber Port, APB
terminal. Its facilities have also been extended to include full timber treatment and additional
ABP ABP has a network of 21 ports across
FORTH PORTS Forth Ports, the third largest port operator
storage. Methil is an important hub for a major timber
England, Scotland and Wales, including the UK’s
group in the UK, owns the Port of Tilbury on
importer and provides cargo handling services, a
biggest port complex – Grimsby, Immingham,
the River Thames and seven ports in Scotland –
stock management system, and a pick and pack
Hull and Goole – the Humber ports.
Grangemouth, Dundee, Leith and Rosyth – and
service for onward deliveries to customers.
“The Humber is critical in driving the economy, handling a total of £75bn of trade each year and supporting 34,900 jobs
the smaller ports of Methil, Burntisland and
Burntisland is home to a dedicated timber manufacturing facility within the port with its
Kirkcaldy. Over 500,000 tonnes of timber pass through
nationally and locally,” said Matthew Boyle,
its ports each year, as well as significant volumes
commercial manager and trade sector specialist
of pulp, woodchip and logs. It handles a wide
in timber.
range of forest products across the group; sheet
imports going directly into its yard. SHOREHAM Shoreham Port, a commercial port on the
materials, specialist timber products, plywood,
south coast of England, handles over 420,000m3
softwood timber port and has several
doors, mouldings and softwoods, coming from
of timber/forest products per year, including posts,
dedicated terminals for timber products,
Europe, Baltics, South America, North America, Far
fencing, stakes, telegraphs and decking, as well as
occupying more than 75,000sqm of
East and Africa.
wood chip, from Sweden, Finland and other Baltic
“The port of Hull is the UK’s leading
warehousing.” Roll-on roll-off shipping operator Finnlines
Tilbury has excellent links throughout the supply chain, including shipping lines, importers,
states. Timber accounts for 15% of its annual
has traded from the terminal since 1973 with
merchants and distributors, offering services
tonnage and it works closely with the entire
its Baltic Sea call every week to Helsinki and
including both breakbulk and container services;
supply chain, offering a full stevedoring service
the Finland Terminal has trading routes from
over 25 acres of undercover storage including
with a state-of-the-art stock control system.
Northern Europe, Russia, the Baltic States, and
transit sheds and distribution facilities, a choice
Scandinavia.
of de-vanning facilities for containerised product
Over the last 10 years, the volume of timber products passing through the port has continued to rise, leading to investment in new sheds and cranes and more staff on the ground. It has also increased its outside storage areas by about 16 acres and undercover storage for timber by about 130,000 square feet. STATE OF TRADE The general state of trade across the UK has been healthy throughout 2018 and ABP will continue to invest in infrastructure, equipment and employees, said Boyle. “ABP believes timber/forest products is an important and buoyant sector which is why it continues to regularly invest in its infrastructure and personnel training to offer a premier option on the East Coast of the UK,” he said. “ABP envisages an increase in the amount
Tilbury, Forth Ports
12
of timber/forestry products passing through the
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WINTER 2018/2019
PORT REPORT But while the UK’s growing demand for forest products has generated robust import volumes for Forth Ports, significant growth has been constrained by a global supply and demand imbalance, said its chief operating officer Stuart Wallace. BREXIT All ports are confident of a bright future, despite Brexit looming on the horizon, and they are continuing to invest in their facilities to streamline services and ensure that enough timber is imported to meet demand. “Handling of timber products is very important to Forth Ports and we are keen to work with our customers to ensure their supply chain is as streamlined and efficient as possible,” said
Shoreham Port
Wallace. “We have the facilities and space across the
Humber ports as we have a strong and established
has been refurbished and additional facilities
group to handle more timber products and our
presence in the East Coast of the UK facing major
developed for new customer Rowlinson Timber.
strategy is to invest in supply chain solutions for
supplier markets such as Scandinavia.
With phase two coming online, Peel Ports is
our customers.”
“Trade through the Humber Ports remains
providing a new timber treatment and storage
Forth Ports has discussed Brexit with
buoyant and we are confident that this trend will
facility, with up to 10 acres of external storage
customers and the relevant authorities, said
continue as we invest in our infrastructure. The
space, and the possibility for a further 14 acres in
Wallace to ensure that plans are in place to
Humber Ports play a vital role as a gateway for
phase three.
minimise disruption to supply chains and volumes.
trade across the North of England, the Midlands
In addition to the Wellmarsh development,
While there is obviously some uncertainty
and beyond, and we are committed to seizing the
the group is undergoing a reconfiguration
over the effect that the UK’s exit from the
opportunities that lay ahead of us.”
programme at the port of Sheerness and
European Union will have on trade, Evans-Gay,
investing in existing facilities such as new mobile
believes that the impact on services at Shoreham
in infrastructure at its ports and its Wellmarsh
harbour cranes, grain stores, warehousing and
Port will be minimal.
Development, adjacent to the Port of Sheerness,
infrastructure improvements.
Peel Ports Group has continued to invest
“With construction booming in the South
be very little impact,” she said. “Feedback from
supply the nation’s capital, the port is continually
customers has been positive and overall they are
investing to improve our customer experience and
very confident that little will change, although
provide strategic access to key markets for some
there is still some uncertainty, as would be
of the biggest players in the industry,” said Mayor.
expected with such a substantial change.” For ABP, Brexit has provided an opportunity
in volumes at Liverpool, boosted by a thriving
for growth, as many companies look to find
construction sector in the North West and Midlands.
alternative routes to ports such as Dover.
Enquiries continue to come into Shoreham
“The Port of Immingham is already the biggest
Port at a steady rate said Beth Evans-Gay,
port in the country by tonnage, but signs are
commercial and operations director and it will
indicating that we have the potential to grow
continue to make long-term investments to
significantly in the coming years,” said Boyle.
manage and develop the port for stakeholders and customers. “We have seen an increase in timber products
“A shift in trade volumes has been noticed, with cargoes originally destined for ports such as Dover, moving increasingly north as trade partners
passing through the port in recent years and this
look at alternatives to mitigate any difficulties the
can be seen in our throughput figures, particularly
more traditional routes may experience in future.
over the last five years” she said. “We are pleased that enquiries are still coming
“We know also that for many customers they can see the logic that it is quicker, cheaper and
into the port at a steady rate and we are always
better for the environment to ship directly from
looking to increase throughput.”
the continent to the Humber Ports and then to
The Port of Grangemouth has experienced
13
service we offer at Shoreham Port, there will
East and London, and Sheerness ideally placed to
The group is also seeing a continual increase
APB Ports
“We are confident that due to the excellent
access regional distribution centres in the North
a steady increase in timber imports, as well
and the Midlands than for lorries to arrive in the
as an increase in woodchip and log imports,
UK in ports in the South East of England and then
due to a growing demand from panel product
drive up through our already congested roads to
manufacturers and biomass-fired power plants.
reach their final destinations.”
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WINTER 2018/2019
COVER STORY: HOPPINGS
HOPPINGS THE BEAST FROM THE SOUTH EAST! Family firm Hoppings Softwood Products has a rich history, having been founded after the First World War, but its focus is firmly on the future with ambitious plans for growth
H
oppings Softwood Products plc was
The Epping site is also home to a high-pressure
established in 1920 in Whetstone, North
preservative impregnation treatment plant.
London, and while the company has evolved
Over the years the company has continued
“With a machining capacity over 30,000 m3 both manufacturing mills have automatic infeed and take off and are designed with flexibility in
and grown over the decades, it remains
to invest in its facilities with purpose-designed,
mind,” explained Alcoe. “Automatic measuring
family run with Chairman Charles Hopping
efficient, modern high-speed automated mills, at
and end marking identifies the length, grade
both sites.
and environmental certification of each product,
at the helm. As well as being actively involved in the
“Hoppings is well placed to increase production
company, Charles continues to influence the wider
and improve the quality of its machined softwood
industry through his current role as president
products,” said managing director Geoffrey Alcoe.
of the UK Timber Trade Federation and his son
A new Weinig moulder with the latest
making selection at point of sale convenient at their merchant customers premises. “The majority of the sawn softwood purchased for conversion into high sales turnover machined
James Hopping, joined the family business in 2008,
technology was installed at the Lingfield site
products such as skirtings and planed all round
currently holding the role of Epping sales office
early this year and automated bagging lines for
sections, is European redwood sourced from top
manager.
the creation of baled wood shaving residue
Swedish mills. Careful consideration to procure the
were installed at both sites to accommodate
right quality softwood is important. This coupled
operates from two sites in Epping, Essex, and
the company’s ‘StableBed’ brand. ‘Stablebed’
with an ability for Hoppings wood machinists
Lingfield, Surrey. Both sites, which are within easy
wood shavings are sold in significant volumes
to visually monitor grades and reject anything
reach of London, sitting north and south of the
to wholesale distributors who supply break bulk
substandard during manufacture is key to the
M25 motorway, have manufacturing capability.
quantities to the equestrian market.
company’s drive to supply more consistent qualities
The company, which employs 60 staff, now
Modern high speed efficient maching facilities at Epping & Lingfield sites
14
Grade monitoring Epping
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A selection of profiles machined from slow grown european redwood
WINTER 2018/2019
COVER STORY: HOPPINGS
Lingfield depot
allows the features and grain of the wood to show
activity and most profitable revenue stream and
through providing an appealing rustic look.
this is where the company is focusing its drive
Q-Clad is a small range of high sales turnover, fine sawn, featheredge cladding, pre-painted in an opaque satin black or white finish. Hoppings’ most recent success story in product Epping depot and Headquarters
than its competitors.” Hoppings’ success over the years has in
Q-Garden colour washed screening - Pebble Grey shades
to increase market share over the next couple of years. Hoppings’ merchant customers want regular just in time deliveries and the company is ready
development is SmartBoard, a wood plastic
to meet more and more merchants’ stocking
composite decking board. Manufactured from
expectations by offering a comprehensive range
90% recycled products with a 25-year residential
of consistent quality products in both picked loose
warranty against decay, SmartBoard is reversible,
quantities and competitively priced trade pack
solid and its brushed matt finish results in a more
quantities.
natural, less plastic looking deck surface.
A recent in-house survey identified that the
part been down to marketing initiatives aimed at assisting its merchant customers with the selling process, creating distinct product brands, supported by targeted promotion tools such as consumer facing websites, consumer helplines and an array of in-store point of sale assets including, brochures, displays and samples. Product development has become an increasingly important ingredient to Hoppings’ continued success, where the aim to add value and or raise product standards is key. Products
Careful consideration to procure the right quality softwood is important. This coupled with an ability for Hoppings wood machinists to visually monitor grades and reject anything substandard during manufacture is key to the company’s drive to supply more consistent qualities than its competitors.” Geoffrey Alcoe, managing director
developed by the company over the years include its ‘Q-Grip’ range of grip-enhanced, softwood treated, decking products which are popular for
Less than 18 months after its launch
average delivery is completed within 2.2 days of
use in public use spaces and slip-sensitive areas of
SmartBoard was stocked by over 170 merchants
receipt of order, but the company is not one for
domestic decks such as border edges and steps.
throughout the UK and simplicity has been the key
resting on its laurels. “Although this is an already short timescale
Hoppings also applies ‘Shades,’ a pigmented
ingredient to sales success to date. The fact that a
translucent colour wash in pebble grey and autumn
merchant only needs to stock two components –
as a service, support and product-focused timber
brown, to a wide range of softwood decking
a board and a screw – coupled with single length
distributor, Hoppings is seeking to further improve
and cladding products. They are preservative
availability in only three colours simplifies the sales
on this,” said Alcoe.
impregnated after coating with ‘Shades’ creating
process at merchants’ trade counters.
distinctive colour washed exterior timber with an affordable price tag. Shades being translucent
To find out more, please contact Hoppings Softwood Products on 01992 578877
15
While Hoppings has continued to diversify as it grows, machined wood ranges remain its core
With such ambitious growth plans to improve, Hoppings could well become the new beast from the south east!
www.hoppings.co.uk
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WINTER 2018/2019
Get smart! Get SmartBoard Easy-fit solid structure, double-sided, contemporary, composite decking.
// Screw fixed like timber decking* // Low risk of slip surface // 90% recycled // Easy to maintain with 25 year residential warranty // Smart vertical edge finish possible – just like real wood // Natural matt wood look – three on-trend colours available *Only use with SmartBoard screws
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NATURE & TECHNOLOGY WORKING TOGETHER
THE FUTURE OF COMPOSITE DECKING 16
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WINTER 2018/2019
FOCUS ON SÖDRA
WHERE DOES SÖDRA’S TIMBER COME FROM?
Timber Trader travelled to southern Sweden to see how Södra – the country’s largest forest-owner cooperative – produces some of the most sustainable timber in the world
T
imber’s ability to enable quick and
from seedling to harvestable tree. This allows
one of the most versatile and renewable raw
efficient construction is clear, but
plenty of time to replant and plan ahead.
materials on the planet. It is Södra’s mission to
this can’t be at the expense of
When you receive Södra’s timber it already
offer a truly sustainable timber supply from some
sustainability. With timber now an
has a long history and a lot of care and attention
of the most responsibly-managed forests in the
increasingly important resource for
given to it. They put the time and hard work in
world.
ensuring sustainable construction, it’s crucial to
to give its customers and end-users peace of
understand exactly where it comes from. We
mind that they’re using the very best, sustainable
another three and operates according to a tree’s
were lucky enough to be invited to southern
timber.
natural lifecycle. This means that it only cuts a tree down once it has stopped absorbing harmful
Sweden to see how Södra – Sweden’s largest forest-owner cooperative – produces some of the most sustainable timber in the world. Here, we’ll take you on a journey of what we discovered.
That’s why for every tree Södra fells, it plants
PLANTING AND NATURAL REGENERATION Södra’s care for the forest is as genuine as the raw material it uses, because it recognises that when looked after carefully the forest is
carbon dioxide. This process of sustainable harvesting and natural regeneration is really important, because the benefits of healthy forests are so significant. Firstly, growing trees store carbon, which
STARTING IN THE FOREST The forest itself is, of course, the jewel in timber’s crown. All two million hectares of Södra’s forests are owned and cared for by over 51,000 members in southern Sweden, who all receive personal and professional help to manage and develop their forestry in the best possible way. Many of these forests have been in the forest-owners’ families for generations and will remain in these families for generations to come. That’s why Södra, together with its forest-owners, is dedicated to making sure that this precious environment is sustained for many, many years to come. After all, it takes around 70 years for its most common forests to mature
17
Södra’s nurseries are where the growing process starts
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WINTER 2018/2019
FOCUS ON SÖDRA means that the higher they get, the greater the absorption of otherwise harmful carbon dioxide. When various products – like houses – are then made from the wood that Södra harvests, CO2
is locked into the wood forever. The third and
perhaps most important benefit is that its timber is increasingly being used as a substitute for many other building products that would have required the use of fossil fuels. This long process begins at one of Södra’s nurseries, like the one we visited in Falkenburg, where around 36 million saplings are planted and nurtured each year. Being chemical-free is at the heart of this process, so Södra utilises its own cutting-edge, chemical-free pest deterrent called Cambiguard. Ingeniously, it also lines the pots that its saplings grow in with copper to ensure
Before deciding which trees to fell, Södra’s flies drones over the forest to get a good idea of what the land looks like
that their roots grow strong and spread far and wide when planted. Failure to do so could mean that roots corkscrew, leaving trees susceptible to storm damage.
FELLING
AT VÄRO SAWMILL Logs are stored in a clearing or in the forest until they’re needed at one of Södra’s six Swedish
material of the tree, which becomes timber. It’s then re-sawn to a more precise cut and finish by planing and further machining before kiln-drying.
sawmills, the biggest of which we visited in Värö.
Södra grades the quality of its timber by
They’re then picked up and placed at the side of
closely following clear rules that specify strength,
the main road so that logging trucks can easily
quality and appearance. The cold Swedish climate
flies drones over the forest to get a good idea
transport them to the sawmill where the entire
means that Södra’s spruce is naturally slow-
of what the land looks like and what sections of
log is processed.
grown, which results in tighter growth-rings,
Before deciding which trees to fell, Södra
land can be left as nature strips following felling.
Approximately half of the log becomes sawn
Nature strips are important areas of woodland
timber, while the other half is provided to the
specifically geared toward ensuring the forest’s
paper and wood board industries. Bark, wood
eco-system continues to thrive.
chips and sawdust are provided to the biofuel
The entire process of felling a tree, trimming
sector or used as energy in the sawmill. All of
giving its timber its strength and stability.
SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL TIMBER PRODUCTION At the heart of everything Södra does is
its branches and cutting it is done with a machine
Södra’s industries are self-sufficient in energy
sustainability, but this means much more than
called a harvester. The harvester cuts the tree
thanks to its utilisation of waste products, and
just responsibly managing its forests. It is an
at the very bottom, then lifts it and removes
any surplus energy generated by production is
integral part of the overall business strategy,
its branches and cuts it to lengths. This is all
distributed onwards as heat or green electricity.
and sustainable forestry makes up just one of
The process begins by taking the bark off the
its six pillars. Other key focus areas are resource
many trees have been felled and the lengths of
tree, before passing it twice through large circular
efficiency, climate-positive business, sustainable
log that have been cut.
saws. This produces boards and the centre cut
innovation, responsible business, and being a
recorded on a computer to keep track of how
responsible employer. Södra’s port in Mönsterås, Sweden, currently leads the way. All the work-vehicles and cranes at the port are using Hydrotreated Vegetable Diesel (HVO) – a completely fossil-free alternative to standard diesel. It’s a real landmark in Södra’s mission for Swedish production to be completely fossil-fuel free by 2020 and transportation by 2030.
THE FINAL RESULT? When you’re next specifying or working with Södra wood, you know that sustainability has been at the forefront of each and every stage. You know that its timber is the by-product of a continuous cycle of planting, growth and natural regeneration; the dedication of everyone at Södra; and the hard work of its 51,000-plus forest-owners. Södra’s timber production is geared toward providing the The entire process of felling a tree, trimming its branches and cutting it is done with a machine called a harvester
18
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highest-quality timber, but never at the expense of sustainability.
WINTER 2018/2019
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WINTER 2018/2019
The future of Materials @FuturebuildNow
Introducing Futurebuild 2019 The new Materials Hub at Futurebuild 2019 will showcase the latest innovations and emerging new products from all aspects of materials, including concrete, timber, steel and masonry. A dedicated seminar theatre will provide visitors to this Hub with the opportunity to learn about the latest research emerging from this sector. The TRADA Bookshop will give construction professionals the opportunity to view the work created as part of the TRADA University Challenge competition, and a place to read the latest timber publications. The Future of Concrete, in collaboration with The Concrete Centre, will showcase the
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very best in concrete design, its usage in construction and its sustainability credentials, whilst Natural Building UK will bring together forwardthinking organisations, who will provide educational talks and product demonstrations on natural material usage within construction.
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20
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WINTER 2018/2019
TIMBER PROCESSING
PERFECTING THE PROCESS Photo © Charles Ransford and Son
There has been significant investment in the UK timber processing sector in recent years as it continues to increase its market share, but can it overcome the challenges posed by a future supply shortage and the rise of biomass?
T
he domestic timber processing sector,
fencing and garden products’ market and also
planted in environmentally important areas with
especially the softwood sector, which is
pallets and packaging,” said Sulman. “It has a
very little consultation.
far larger than the hardwood one, has
reasonable share of the construction market, but
Also, the grants and incentives available
a good story to tell,” saidDavid Sulman,
the bulk of timber supplied into the construction
to landowners during this period were skewed
executive director of the UK Forest Products
sector, particularly the higher grades, is inevitably
towards planting native broad-leaf trees, which
Association (UKFPA)*, which has since been merged
imported from Scandinavia and the Baltic states
are good for biodiversity, rather than commercial
with Confor.
and that is largely to do with the type of species and
softwood species which have a greater economic
the quality and strength.”
value, explained Sulman.
“It is a story of increased market share, it is a
“We stopped planting trees in order to
story of continuing investment and a story of import
Alongside the UK sawmills there are panel
substitution, which I think is good news for UK plc”.
board mills, with three main facilities across the UK.
produce products and what planting did take place
According to the 2018 forestry statistics from
Panel boards are used in housing, in areas such as
was basically of broad-leaf trees, because they were
Forest Research, there were 164 active sawmills in
flooring, walls and kitchens, as well as in furniture
seen to be beneficial to wildlife,” said Stuart Goodall,
the UK in 2017. The vast majority of these (67%)
such as tables.
chief executive of Confor (Confederation of Forest
process softwood only, with 27% processing both
Business is buoyant for the UK timber
Industries). “If you look back to the 1980s the amount of
softwood and hardwood, and the remaining 6%
processing sector, with UK timber producers having
processing only hardwood.
doubled their market share from 20% to 40% and
timber coming out of UK forests has more than
the UK has some of the most modern mills in the
tripled and you could draw a direct a line beside the
sawn softwood production in the UK have
world with strong investment in recent years in
amount of UK wood, sawn timber, panel timber for
increased by around one third between 2008 and
equipment and advance technology, focused on
example, that is consumed.”
2017,” says Forest Research, with sawmills in the
getting the best possible yield out of logs.
“The levels of softwood consumption and
UK consuming a total of 6.8 million green tonnes of
But despite the rising demand for UK sawn
Our mills make use of all of the timber that they have available to them and can provide a
softwood in 2017, a 2% increase from 2016, and a
wood and heavy investment in the sector, there
market for all of the timber that is available, so we
further 0.1 million green tonnes of hardwood. Most
could be some clouds on the horizon.
are only constrained by supply.”
of the logs, 6.6 million green tonnes of softwood
The main limitation for the UK is supply, and
Trees take around 40 years to reach maturity
and 0.1 million green tonnes of hardwood, were
the amount of available raw material that the sector
and it is expected that the UK timber processing
grown in the UK, which produced a total of 3.7m
has access to.
sector will see a drop in raw material in the 2030s,
cubic metres of sawn wood in 2017. UK-produced softwood serves three principle
While significant planting took place in the
as a direct result of a lack of planting in the 1990s.
UK during the 20th century, it had tailed off by the
“We know we have got a future significant
markets – construction, pallets and packaging and
1980s. There was very little planting in the 90s
forecast of a reduction in supply from the mid-
fencing and garden products.
and the start of the 21st century, amid a culture
2030s onwards and what we are experiencing
of opposition, due to trees previously having been
already is some tightening of availability in the
“British timber has the lion’s share of the
21
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WINTER 2018/2019
TIMBER PROCESSING the challenge is if there is a tightening of supply in
mills have been able to cope with that because
five years’ time there is nothing we can do about
they have been able to push their output prices up
planting for the raw material for that, that just
because of the weak pound but if the pound starts
because of the minimum length of time – 15 to 16
to strengthen then that will squeeze their margins
years for faster growing and 30 years or more for
significantly so there is quite a bit of concern about
mature forests.”
that,” he explained.
Forestry today is very different to what it was in the past, said Sulman, and far more care
and Goodall are optimistic for the future of the
and consideration is given to the surrounding
sector.
environment with modern-day planting programmes. “In the past there were mistakes made, trees Stuart Goodall
There is increasing recognition of the benefits that trees bring, said Sulman, from providing an economic crop to improving biodiversity and
were planted in some parts of the country, where
assisting in health and wellbeing, as well as a focus
quite frankly you wouldn’t today, and they may
on carbon capture.
have been planted in such a way that didn’t really respect the landscape,” he explained.
market place,” said Goodall.
But despite the shadow of Brexit, both Sulman
“Now, before anyone gets anywhere near
“We think the market for producing wood will continue to grow significantly in the UK and we are hoping that there will be further interest
planting a tree, you have forest plans that have
in delivering tree planting because trees soak up
exacerbated by the ever-expanding biomass sector,
to be carefully considered by the Forestry
carbon and wood is a low-carbon material and we
which has benefitted from Government subsidies,
Commission, planning authorities and so on.
have seen so many reports coming out, both in the
Pressure on supply has been further
such as the Renewable Obligation Certificate and Renewable Heat Incentive. “Wood supply and demand in the UK is pretty finely balanced and it doesn’t take much to knock it
“Gone are the days where someone could mark
UK, people like the Committee on Climate Change,
up a big square on a hillside and fill it with a species
and internationally, which have said we will not hit
of dark green conifers and leave it for 50 years.
country or global targets unless we plant more trees
“Sustainable forest management is enshrined
and use more wood so generally speaking we are
off balance,” explained Sulman. “In recent years, the
in the whole approach that we have now, so you
operating in the right environment and we have got
advent of the biomass sector, wood fuels, has had
are planting trees to ensure that for subsequent
a product that society needs,” said Goodall.
a huge impact on the sector, and for many parts of
generations you will be continuing to deliver
the sector an adverse impact.
economic, social and environmental benefits and
ground and to look to set what we need in place for
the needs of those three objectives are reflected
the future.”
“Good news if you are a timber grower because there is another market that wants to buy
in what is planted, how it is planted, and where its
your products but for traditional wood processors,
planted.”
sawmillers and producers of panel products they
“It is just trying to actually deliver things on the
There is more work to be done to promote the benefits of forests and forest products, and
The UK’s impending exit from the European
scope for getting more British grown timber into
are now having to fight really hard and are seriously
Union will, of course, have an impact and concerns
the construction sector, said Sulman but despite
up against it because of competition from the
have been raised over the potential for a rise in
the clouds on the horizon, the future for forestry
biomass sector which is supported by generous
the value of the sterling, which would be likely to
and forest products in the UK continues to look
public subsidy.”
impact negatively on the domestic timber market,
bright.
said Goodall.
*Since these interviews have taken place UKFPA
There is a place for wood biomass said Sulman but it makes more sense to use wood that has
“At the moment we have record demand
already been used and potentially recycled, that
for UK timber and that has pushed prices of UK
has come to the end of its useful service life, rather
harvested timber up to modern-day highs and
and Confor have merged and David Sulman is now technical director – wood processing at Confor.
than trees that have taken 50 years to grow and ordinarily would have gone into construction or to make chipboard, MDF, or OSB. The sector is experiencing far greater demand than ever before, as a result of the focus on renewables, said Goodall, with wood that has always been in demand by sawmills and panel board companies now also in demand to produce renewable energy. “We have been working with governments, at least in Scotland and we are trying to in England and Wales to increase the level of tree planting that is taking place,” he explained. “We are also trying to grow a mixture of trees that take 30-35 years to grow, and which will end up in high-end sawmilling, and faster growing trees, that might be used for panel board or energy and will be available in say 16-17 years’ time.
Photo © Douglas Wheeler
“We are having some success with that, but
22
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WINTER 2018/2019
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INTERVIEW: IAN CHURCH
SEASON FOR CHANGE Snows Timber has grown from a small coal and wood merchant to a national importer, processor and distributor of timber. Its managing director Ian Church talks to Timber Trader’s Michelle Gordon about the company’s modernisation programme and bright future
B
radfords and Sons acquired Snows
Towcester, offering an end-to-end consistent
focus of offering our customers and potential
Timber of Glastonbury, a small coal
service; our sales function is supported via
customers the best possible service.”
and wood merchant, in 1985 and over
our three distribution centres in Glastonbury,
Over the past year Snows Timber
the years the company has grown
Andover and Mansfield and we now import,
has opened a new national sales office in
organically with further acquisitions to
process and distribute over 1,000 timber
Towcester, Northamptonshire, bringing
products to our merchant and manufacturing
together all of its regional sales offices in one
partners.”
location, providing customers with a single
improve its supply chain network. In 1996 it acquired timber merchant
FJ Reeves and in 2008 W J Hanrahan and
Snows Timber operates two mills out of
point of contact. The sales team, which includes some new
Sons joined the fold, with facilities opening
Mansfield and Glastonbury, running high-speed
in Dudley and Mansfield, making up the
lines that turn raw material into products such
recruits, now handles around 400 calls daily,
company’s network of distribution centres
as skirting, architrave and decking. It also offers
processing an average of 150 orders and
and transforming the business from a timber
two timber treatments providing long-term
receiving an average of 75 customer emails.
merchant to a national importer, processor and
protection against fungal and insect attack and
distributor of timber.
increasing the timber’s shelf life.
“We previously operated out of four sales offices, one at each distribution centre, which resulted in varying levels of service
It now has an annual turnover of £38
“Essentially, we import a wide variety of
to £40m and employs 150 – 200 people,
products which we add value to at our mills,”
dependant on your location,” explained Church.
importing more than 150,000 cubic metres
said Church. “Timber is a commodity product
“The national sales office has enabled us to
of sawn softwood yearly and processing and
and as such demand has always been relatively
streamline our service to provide a consistent,
distributing more than 1,000 timber products.
consistent. The increase and focus on new
reliable service regardless of your location. We
house builds has been beneficial for the timber
are a national timber distributor, and the sales
independent timber and builders’ merchants,
industry as timber is an integral part of any
office allows us to demonstrate that.
fencing and shed manufacturers and joinery
build.
Its core customer base now includes
shops.
“The biggest benefit it has given our
“Alongside this, we’ve seen timber sales
customers is an end-to-end, one stop service.
improve and become the strongest category
Regardless of enquiry, whether it be order,
managing director in 2017, marked a real step
among our core customer – the builder’s
delivery or account related – the office can
change for the company, which has undergone
merchant. But the market still presents a
deal with it.”
a significant evolution over the past year.
huge amount of opportunity for Snows – as
The appointment of Ian Church as
“My appointment presented a time for much-needed review and change,” explained Church. “Since then we have streamlined our operations by opening a national sales office in
24
To keep up with demand, Snows Timber
we continue our massive modernisation
has investigated how it can increase its
programme.
production capabilities, introducing double
“The business has been through high
shifts at its Glastonbury distribution centre to
levels of change which have all been with the
increase capacity for the picking and milling of
WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
WINTER 2018/2019
INTERVIEW: IAN CHURCH
We’ve seen timber sales improve and become the strongest category among our core customer – the builder’s merchant. But the market still presents a huge amount of opportunity for Snows – as we continue our massive modernisation programme.” Ian Church, managing director
Snows, and our customers. The benefits of Ian Church, managing director of Snows Timber
these changes are coming into play, and we need to settle these into the business and continue to improve our service offering. Our
products and refurbishing and redesigning its
“The system went live in January and we
aim is to be the first-choice timber supplier for
Mansfield Distribution Centre to increase stock
have already seen considerable savings in fuel
all UK independent merchants, and everything
holding and milling capacity.
costs and emissions, as well as improvements
we do is with this ambition in mind,” he said.
“Essentially, the refurbishment will result in increased efficiency in the picking and milling
“You’ll see us continually review and
in efficiency,” said Church. “Routyn has enabled Snows to centralise
improve our processes to improve service to
of our products. This means we can meet
transport planning to give a better view of
our customers and potential customers. At
higher levels of demand from our customers
nationwide distribution. This has resulted
Snows, the customer is our complete focus.
and improve product availability,” explained
in more accurate deliveries, a reduction in
If we believe something will benefit our
Church.
human error, and an increased ability to meet
customers and the service that we offer them,
customers’ bespoke needs.”
then we will ensure it happens.
Its drive for greater efficiency has also seen the company become the first in the UK to
Snows Timber has come a long way over
“With the uncertainty of Brexit, it’s difficult
introduce the Routyn routing and scheduling
the years and 2018, in particular, saw a lot of
to forecast what the future will hold. But, with
system, allowing it to deliver the same volume
changes for the company, but Church has no
the strong performance of timber in merchants
of products with 25% fewer vehicles covering
intention of resting on his laurels.
during 2018 – the future should be bright for
10% fewer miles.
“2018 presented a year of change for
Marking systems for SAWMILLS and PALLET MANUFACTURERS
25
Snows.”
Tel: 0870 803 1877
WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
www.timbermark.co.uk
WINTER 2018/2019
Are you looking for new suppliers or clients for your wood products? You found the right place!
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You can also join this growing community of wood professionals and be where it all happens… on Fordaq.
For more information about how we can help your business, please visit our website: www.fordaq.com Alternatively, contact our UK representative Claudiu Muntianu on: 0032 23420269 claudiu.muntianu@fordaq.com 26
WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
WINTER 2018/2019
REVIEW: TIMBER EXPO
INNOVATION AT THIS YEAR’S TIMBER EXPO It was a record-breaking year for UK Construction Week which focused on the future of construction
A
record-breaking 34,000 industry
constructed by Manja van de Worp of AJG
buildings which help to create a sense of
professionals attended last year’s
Architects and students from the school of
community spirit.
UK Construction Week (UKCW) at
architecture at the Royal School of Art. The
Birmingham’s NEC, making the show the
structure was designed to explore the benefits of
Carywn Lloyd Jones to build a tiny timber-framed
most successful to date.
building the connection method into the element
house following the success of his astonishing
for both installation and disassembly, and it was
‘Dragon’s Eye’ cabin which won Channel 4’s
construction industry professionals from around
built using plywood donated by Hanson Plywood.
Cabins in the Wild series. Workshops on building
the world, and Timber Expo was the show of choice
The magnificent structure was put on display next
with natural materials were also hosted at
for those wanting to learn as much as possible
to the Timber Focus Theatre.
Carwyn’s tiny house.
TINY TIMBER HOUSE
HOT TOPICS
UKCW comprises of nine shows, attracting
Timber Expo challenged master carpenter
about innovation within the timber industry.
INNOVATION
The increasing pressure on available space
Timber Expo offered its visitors a range
for building new homes will mean that in the
of opportunities to develop their professional
Construction’ was evident throughout Timber
future houses will need to be smaller, with a much
knowledge with a seminar programme hosted by
Expo with a range of innovative organisations
greater emphasis being placed on communal
TRADA.
The theme for this year’s UKCW, ‘Future of
showcasing pioneering ideas. Timber Structures showcased its TS3 timber bonding technology range, and Trade Fabrication Systems promoted its new coated and laminated wood-based panel products. Other innovations included the toxin-free airtight and wind-tight solutions for a building’s envelope which were showcased by Siga, and Italian timber manufacturer Rothoblaas which showcased its Holz Technic range including quality products for small and medium-sized structures. For many the highlight of Timber Expo is the incredible timber structures which always draw in the crowds. This year was no different with an eyecatching timber structure designed and
27
WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
WINTER 2018/2019
Thank you to all who visited our stand at the Show
Hout De Groote we specialise in “Siberian Larch”
-
Continuous stock of 20,000m³ in all sizes and qualities
- Own drying with quality in Belgium. - Always in stock Sapwood free Larch glulam quality C24, kd 12% ± 2% - FSC and PEFC Certified
Hout De Groote Nv. - Eekstraat 26 - 9160 Lokeren Belgium Head Office: +32 (0) 9 3483109, Mobile: +32 (0)495291516, 28 email: johan@houtdegroote.be or visit:
www.houtdegroote.com
WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
WINTER 2018/2019
REVIEW: TIMBER EXPO
Topics covered included the correct design for fire safety performance, how tall we can build in wood, how specifiers research and source
and Ben Derbyshire, HTA Design director and
doing business. The feedback from exhibitors
RIBA president, who discussed building in quality.
has been exceptional and we know the visitors
Celebrations were in order at the Structural
love the chance to try out new products. Our
timber products; and private residences made
Timber Awards which took place at Birmingham’s
exhibitor rebook has exceeded our expectations
beautiful by using wood.
National Conference Centre on 10 October
and is 40% higher than last year, so we are really
2018. The awards celebrated the very best within
excited about how we can take this all forward
the structural timber sector.
in 2019.”
New to Timber Expo this year were the Confederation of Timber Industries’ ‘Time for Timber’ CPD seminars, which were led by the
Looking towards next year’s show, Nathan
This year’s Timber Expo will take place
Structural Timber Association, Timber Trade
Garnett, UKCW event director said: “This year’s
alongside the other eight UKCW shows from
Federation, Trussed Rafter Association and
Timber Expo was our best ever. There was a
8-10 October 2019 at Birmingham’s NEC.
British Woodworking Federation and supported
real sense that the timber industry is looking to
by the timber industry’s marketing campaign,
adapt to new innovative ways of thinking and
For more information visit www.timber-expo.co.uk
Wood for Good. The seminars covered a range of topics including; making the forest industry more profitable, sustainable and efficient through the use of digital timber measurement and data management; innovation with hardwoods; and 10 ways to improve your use of trussed rafters and metal web joists. On the UKCW stage, the hard-hitting keynote speakers included Barbara Res, the project manager behind Trump Tower, who discussed her experiences as a female in construction and working with Donald Trump. Other big name speakers included, Lord David Blunkett who discussed what can be done to tackle the skills gap; Kunle Barker, property expert and TV presenter, who led the panel discussion on diversity and political correctness;
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WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
WINTER 2018/2019
3D CAD/CAM Software from The consistent solution for all applications Your benefits with SEMA. Even today a lot of cross-discipline planning processes are embedded in the SEMA Software via “Closed-BIM” and can be implemented without any external data exchange. SEMA has fully incorporated the fields “timber construction”, “stair design” and “facade & metal cladding” into one software in a unique way - from the initial draft plan to evaluation and machine control. Together with other fully incorporated solutions for statics and quantity systems, SEMA users are perfectly equipped for each task to come. External trades such as building services can be exchanged threedimensionally with other specialised software solutions via the IFC interface (Open-BIM). All in one with SEMA. Project planning – Quantity survey via laser measurements – Work preparation – Execution planning – Production – Assembly – Calculation & Evaluation. All workflows are implemented into the SEMA Software and perfectly tuned to one another. This guarantees efficient and trouble-free working any time. The processes in the SEMA program are standardised as far as possible, which results in very high productivity.
Variable with SEMA. The software adapts perfectly to the individual needs of each customer due to its modular structure and flexible master data. The individual modules are perfectly embedded into the SEMA program surface. Users can easily learn to operate the program, since it follows the standards of the Windows operating system. Automatic features and sophisticated macro and master data technology allow for efficient and economic working. All components are perfectly geared to one another. Versatility. Whether planning, design or production and assembly: The SEMA Software provides the perfect solution for all applications. The SEMA Software is being used successfully by more than 8,900 customers all over the world - from the traditional craftsman’s workshop to industrial production businesses. SEMA UK & Ireland Mrs Sally-Anne Woon Phone: 07703 386 751 e-mail: info@sema-soft.co.uk Web: www.sema-soft.co.uk
All in one with SEMA:
Project planning – Work preparation – Execution planning – Production – Assembly
All in one software solution for timber construction and stair design as well as for the sheet metal trade. Thank you to all that visited our stand at W18, it was our pleasure and honour and we enjoyed many inspiring conversations.
SEMA provides software solutions and additional services in the fields of timber construction and stair design, as well as for the sheet metal work. As the world-leader in these sectors, the SEMA program is available in 11 languages and has been used successfully in more than 55 countries. This year is our 35th Anniversary! Each year, an average of 15 % of the company’s turnover is reinvested into the further development of the software solutions, so that SEMA customers can always benefit from new and innovative solutions.
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WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
WINTER 2018/2019
REVIEW: W EXHIBITION & ELEMENTS 2018
GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH The 2018 W Exhibition and sister show, Elements welcomed the largest number of exhibitors to date and saw an increase in visitors, attracting people from across Europe and further afield
W
Over 9,200 visitors attended in 2018 A 4% increase in visitors since 2016 Over 250 exhibitors at the W Exhibition and Elements in 2018 2018’s co-located shows saw a footprint of over 20,500 square metres Increased number of overseas visitors since 2016
ith the biggest footprint and the largest number of exhibitors to
Whilst Italian machinery manufacturer, Biesse, focused on its automated,
date, the 2018 W Exhibition and sister show, Elements, have
interconnected production concept ‘Automaction’. The Viet Opera R
been hailed a huge success by visitors and exhibitors alike.
sanding system – one of several machines in the range designed to increase
With 9,200 people attending the UK’s only woodworking
machinery and materials exhibition and dedicated furniture
components show, organisers saw a 4% increase in visitor numbers in 2018.
automation and overall equipment efficiency (OEE) – also won an ‘Elements of Innovation Gold Award’ at the show. Felder’s very latest H80 CNC nesting machine with fully automatic
This, along with a large number of overseas visitors from Europe and further
loading and unloading of up to 100 boards at a time and full nesting
afield, has confirmed the show’s status as a must-attend event for the
capabilities in three and four axes, made its debut at the show and proved
furniture design and manufacturing industry.
popular with small to medium-sized manufacturers, while TM Machinery’s
The four-day event, which will move to halls 18, 19 and 20 in 2020,
new retrofittable Striebig optimisation progamme, which cleverly connects
due to increased demand in stand space, saw a plethora of new products being introduced, including the UK debut of Homag’s intuitive Mouldteq M-300 planer moulder, Daltons Wadkin’s new generation Kimla BPF2131 CNC, Advanced Machinery Services’ new Wadkin Bursgreen WB 600 AngleX automatic crosscutting machine and Intelligent Fixing’s unique self-clamping component connector. There was a distinct shift towards intelligent machinery, with new concepts being introduced for today’s furniture manufacturing industry. SCM UK’s Digital Hub and Maestro Digital Systems – which have been created in response to the latest industry 4.0 requirements – drew in the crowds as it showcased a new, smart approach to manufacturing.
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WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK
WINTER 2018/2019
REVIEW: W EXHIBITION & ELEMENTS 2018
to your wi-fi, has been designed to increase
Innovation Awards gave an opportunity to see the
and our industry partners, continue to champion
productivity and reduce waste when cutting
most ground-breaking products to enter the UK
the industry’s future.
panels to size.
market up close – and gave their manufacturers
Live machinery demonstrations, interactive spray booths and virtual reality tours were also
the recognition they deserved. Lisa Campagnola, event director for Elements
“We’re also pleased to announce that both the W Exhibition and Elements will be moving to halls 18, 19 and 20 in 2020 to make
in abundance at the show, with stands finding
and the W Exhibition said: “We are very pleased
room for even more exhibitors. Re-booking
unique ways to promote their latest product
with the success our exhibitors have had at this
has been phenomenal, with many companies
offering. Competitions and daily challenges were
year’s shows. It’s also been great to see increased
increasing their stand size and many new
also order of the day for many with Quin Global
visitor numbers and a wider visitor audience, as
companies wishing to exhibit. I’d like to take
UK’s nail-biting ‘L12 Curve Challenge’ proving
we’ve been committed to creating two shows
this opportunity to thank everyone involved
a huge hit with visitors, as they attempted to
that truly benefit the UK’s furniture design and
in the W Exhibition and Elements and I look
make the tightest curve possible using their L12
manufacturing industries. We’ve also welcomed
forward to welcoming the industry again to the
adhesive on bendy plywood.
a larger number of overseas visitors, which is due
Birmingham NEC in 2020.”
There were also a number of interactive
in part to the number of European companies
stands this year, as exhibitors set out to entice
we’ve had join the exhibitor line-up this year.
The W Exhibition and Elements 2020 will be taking
visitors to explore the latest innovations for
The new interactive visitor features have been a
place from the 27th-30th September at the NEC,
themselves. From Blum’s very own ‘Blum Cinema’
great addition and the support for the brand new
Birmingham. For more information please visit
– complete with popcorn – which featured a
Education Zone has been overwhelming, as we,
www.wexhibition.co.uk
movie on the company’s training services, support software and assembly devices, to ArtiCAD’s unique virtual reality tour, that transported you into a fully-equipped 3D kitchen in a bid to
HELP FOR HEROES
educate users on everything from the initial design to construction of a kitchen, visitors were offered
The show’s official charity, Help for
new and exciting ways to learn about the products
Heroes, also had its most successful show
on offer. Daltons Wadkin’s stand also stood out
to date. With help from the Help for
with its ‘back to nature’ theme and machine
Heroes bear and exhibitors at the show –
wrapping.
including Masterwood, who provided one
Visitors were free to explore the exhibition’s
of the dinosaurs made on a Masterwood
growing number of interactive zones. The
nesting machine as a raffle prize – the
Education Zone, which was introduced for the first
charity raised over £1,200, which will help
time at the show, offered a unique opportunity
to fund much-needed woodworking shops
to join group workshops and book one-on-one
and recovery centres around the UK.
sessions with industry experts. The Elements of
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REVIEW: W EXHIBITION & ELEMENTS 2018
WHAT EXHIBITORS SAID: Luke Thomson, managing director, Intelligent Fixings said: “The W Exhibition been completely off the scale for us. It’s surpassed any expectations we had. We’re a very new fixings company and we had originally decided to make 10 million components to start with but we’re now looking at producing between 50 to 80 million components because of the interest we’ve had at this show alone. It’s been unbelievable.” Matthew Applegarth, managing director, Felder UK Ltd said: “The show has been brilliant for us. We’ve sold almost every machine on our stand and at least two thirds of our showroom. We still have orders to work though and we’ve made some fantastic leads - this is what we have come to expect from exhibiting at the W Exhibition. Every year our stand is getting bigger because the return is there for us. In 2016 our stand was 600 square metres. We increased this number to 900 square metres for 2018 and we have already provisionally booked over 1000 square metres for 2020.”
have proven very welcoming and we’ve engaged with more people because of it. It’s been a superb show and we’re looking forward to 2020.”
Matthew Glanfield, technical team manager, Blum said: “There’s been a real buzz surrounding the show and the volume of visitors has been
Martina Schwarz, international sales & marketing manager, CAD+T said:
very satisfying. The Blum cinema was a rather abstract concept and one
“We exhibited for the first time in 2016 and we had a great response from
that was new to us but the whole concept has been really well received.
the UK market. This year, we have been blown away by the number of
It’s been a great way of getting visitors to learn about Blum and what we
leads we’ve had from our latest software solutions for the interior design
offer and, after watching our film, it has led to people talking openly with
and furniture manufacturing market. So much so that we’ve booked an
us about our products and how we can work together. It’s been a great
even bigger stand for 2020.”
success.” David Thompson-Rowlands, managing director, RW Machines Ltd said: Andy Walsh, sales director, Daltons Wadkin said: “This year the show
“2018 has been a great show for RW Machines. From the initial build
was been reassuringly profitable for us when Brexit is looming. We’ve
process through to the doors opening on day one, the organisation has
taken a new slant on stand design for 2018. We wanted to create a really
been superb. We’ve experienced high-quality visitors on our stand every
eye-catching stand and visually it’s very appealing when faced with a sea of
day and as well as sales, we’ve got some fantastic leads. We’re already
machines. The light open space, trees, artwork and greenery on the stand
looking forward to 2020.”
WHAT VISITORS SAID: David Robinson, managing director, Perfair Fragrances, said: “As a designer, I am visiting the W Exhibition to learn about the latest product offerings available. When it comes to manufacturing my designs, I need to know what I can achieve when using each machine and their limitations. Who better to ask than the machinery manufacturers themselves? Having the Elements show run alongside this has also opened my eyes to new finishes and techniques I haven’t seen before. It’s been a great experience.” Phil Dalton, group operations manager, Decorative Panels Group, said: “Not only do we get to see some excellent new machinery coming to market but the W Exhibition is a great opportunity for us to network with our customers, suppliers and fellow industry professionals.”
33
Appleby Woodturning via Twitter: @ApplebWoodturns – “Great day
Lawcris Panels via Twitter: @Lawcris1982 – “Epic is the word to
at W18. So good to be able to put names to faces and to make new
describe the W Exhibition. The W Exhibition didn’t let us down – we
contacts. To everyone who had a stand, hats off to you. It was a thrilling
are so impressed with the organisation and the impressive machinery
event full of incredible technology and innovation.”
we got to feast our eyes on. Great day, great show.”
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WINTER 2018/2019
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SterlingOSB Zero caters for cycling themed chain A cycling themed pop up café, Velo Life, has been decked out in sturdy and stylish SterlingOSB Zero. Lee Goodwin expanded his Henley-on-Thames bicycle repair shop into the old pub next door to create a muchwelcomed café for weary cyclists. Spurred on by the café’s success, Lee has now opened a pop-up café in Maidenhead. Taking inspiration from a brown cardboard takeaway carton, Lee needed a material that echoed his vision. Lee explained “SterlingOSB Zero was the ideal choice – the brown panels are full of character and aesthetically pleasing, offering great texture and tone that could be used everywhere!” The popular material was used on the walls, on the bar, for the outdoor signs, across the tables and even for a few benches. Lee commented, “The reason we chose SterlingOSB Zero for the pop-up is because it can be painted or used raw and looks great! It’s easy to work with, is extremely high quality and wears really well in high impact areas. It was everything we were looking for.”
Mike England Timber enhances speed and service with Smart-Space Processing and Storage Solution
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk
RCM’s fire-rated through wall solutions demonstrated at Timber Expo RCM showcases eye-catching 24sqm stand at this years’ Timber Expo, NEC Birmingham
RCM have again managed to showcase an attention-grabbing stand at Timber Expo in Birmingham this year, part of the UK Construction Week, which was held 9-11 October 2018. All 24sqm of the stand were decked out with RCM’s offerings from building boards right through to the myriad of façade solutions supplied, with a focus on the timber frame market; with particular attention paid to fire rated solutions. The main stand itself was constructed partially using Cemboard, RCM’s own high-performance cement bonded particle building board. This is the second time RCM has attended this prestigious show. Exhibiting on the same stand as 2017, a big change from last years’ show was the removal of the corner section of the stand, allowing visitors to walk through and take a closer look at the colourful displays. For more information, please visit our website: www.buildingboards.co.uk
Smart-Space, a leading manufacturer and installer of re-locatable, semi-permanent and permanent buildings, has completed construction of a timber processing and storage facility at Mike England Timber’s headquarters near Preston, Lancashire. The new building - a re-locatable 10-metre by 32.5-metre structure, with 40mm insulated steel-cladded walls - houses storage racking as well as the compressors, dust extraction, sanding, texturing, vacuum coating and brush coating machinery required for the company’s timber coating, texturing and drying processes. “This facility enables us to shorten our lead times and to take on more business by batch processing bespoke orders - providing customers with a more flexible, efficient and effective service, whilst maintaining high levels of quality,” says managing director Jeanette Corner. The installation took eight days. Mike England Timber considered a more permanent building, but decided on this more cost-effective way of creating the required space in a much shorter timeframe, without any loss of building integrity. “Smart-Space mirrors our own business in many ways,” says Jeanette. “The response to our initial enquiry, the positive and friendly attitude of the entire team, the quality of the solution and the excellent aftercare have all been remarkable.” For enquiries please call 0808 278 1499 or visit https://smart-space.co.uk
ECI-Spruce are the leading provider of software to American timber merchants and are now making inroads into the UK market. Their latest enhancement to the core merchant software is Spruce AnyWare; the android App for phones and tablets. This App allows the merchant to access their Spruce merchant business system from the palm of their hand, no matter where they are. With the Spruce AnyWare application management are always in complete control of the business.
MPUTER S CO
OF
EMS ST Y
SPRU CE
For all advertising enquiries contact Terry Hanlon on 01925 270093
I N N O V AT I O N
In its simplest delivery only form the App can be used by the merchant’s drivers to take photos of delivered goods, including their condition and capture customer’s signatures. Both the signature and any photos are attached automatically to the file version of the delivery document being easily retrieved to any work station should the need arise. The app can optionally be integrated with the Spruce delivery module and Google maps allowing inside staff to track the progress of a truck’s journey and update their customers with expected delivery times. The full AnyWare app allows outside sales reps to process customer orders and quotes, check pricing and stock levels or schedule deliveries all whilst sitting with the customer in his site office. Inside warehouse and yard staff can serve customers using the app’s point of sale system which includes bar code reader and customer signature capture. Spruce AnyWare transmits the transaction to the trade counter or yard exit point for a printed advice note or invoice, making it ideal for “drive-thru” yards. Real time stock checks are carried out with instant update to the branch inventory and supplier purchase orders are simply produced and emailed directly from any part of the yard or warehouse. The ECI-Spruce AnyWare App is partnered by the company’s customer App, Spruce Prolink. The Prolink product for Android or Apple mobiles allows merchants’ customers access their account documents, check their prices and place orders 24/7.
To arrange an on-line demonstration of the ECi-Spruce system or to just have a chat about what ECi-Spruce can do for your business call 01522 252252 or use the contact form on the Spruce website www.sprucecomputer.co.uk
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BE INSPIRED BERGSTRAAT 25 | B-8511 AALBEKE | BELGIUM | T. +32 (0)56 43 33 33 | F. +32 (0)56 43 33 34 GENEVIEVE@VANDECASTEELE.BE | DAVE@VANDECASTEELE.BE | WWW.VANDECASTEELE.BE
Designing the Future with Sustainable Timber Ask your suppliers for PEFC-certified wood products
Discover more at www.pefc.co.uk
PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
Photos: Oporkka/iStock, Fausto Franzosi/PEFC Italy
PEFC: Your assurance of responsibly sourced timber