FEATURE: CLADDING AND DECKING
Perfect partnership to promote timber cladding and decking A new partnership agreement between the Timber Decking and Cladding Association and Timber Trade Federation is giving the cladding and decking industry a greater voice
T
he Timber Decking and Cladding
benefit members of both organisations, wider
Association (TDCA) and The Timber
target audiences and the general benefit of the
Trade Federation (TTF) have joined
timber industry. As well as scheduled meetings,
forces under a partnership agreement
paths cross regularly at industry events and
aimed at strengthening the market for
trade meetings, so when the potential for
timber cladding and decking. The partnership will work similarly to
Janet Sycamore, director of operations at TDCA and David Hopkins, managing director of the TTF
opportunities that working together will bring.” TDCA is mindful of future threats and
working together or sharing knowledge arises
opportunities influenced by outside forces,
they make the most of the opportunity. Both
which may affect members and the industry as
the agreement currently in place between
organisations will maintain their individual
a whole, from Brexit, which has the potential
TDCA and the Wood Protection Association
identities and operate as independent trade
to change the way in which timber can be
(WPA) and the three bodies will work together
bodies but statements and publications on
imported/exported to changing building
on projects of mutual interest whilst still
specific projects will be issued with multi-
regulations in the aftermath of Grenfell
maintaining their individual identities and
branding to enforce joint messages.
which continue to evolve and impact timber
operating as independent trade bodies. “The TDCA has been working alongside the
The partnership will initially focus
in construction. Not forgetting the looming
on specifier and buyer education to raise
climate emergency which is increasingly
Wood Protection Association (WPA) for many
awareness and confidence in the timber
affecting our everyday choices – as individuals
years – sharing vital resources and occupying
cladding and decking sectors.
and businesses – in terms of carbon footprints,
the same registered office, with both
The move aligns with TTF’s plans to focus
sustainability and our reliance on plastics. But
organisations having a shared agenda in terms
on market-facing educational activities. A series
of advocating wood protection treatments,”
of TTF working groups are looking in depth
TDCA is positive about the future.
explained Janet Sycamore, director of
at cladding, flooring and engineered wood
act as a collective. By working together in
operations at TDCA.
“This alliance allows us to respond and
products sectors. Output from these groups
this manner, it gives our industry a greater
“The WPA joined forces with TTF in March
aims to issue guidance on avoiding risks, setting
voice,” said Sycamore. “TTF, WPA and TDCA
2019 under a strategic partnership agreement
standards and timber species and specification.
sit on many trade boards and working groups
aimed at strengthening the UK market for
As part of this education a series of
governing technical standards and policy
treated wood. When Dave Hopkins and the
roadshows are planned engaging with trade
making, which means we are in a greater
TTF approached TDCA about helping support
and specifiers and the TDCA will attend key
position to influence. We have greater lobbying
its cladding and decking objectives, it seemed
shows, providing knowledge, experience
power too when we approach government as a
a natural progression to form an alliance,
and resources. In addition, TDCA is currently
collective body, as part of the Confederation of
especially after seeing the work that had
taking the lead in collaboration with TTF on a
Timber Industries (CTI), representing the many
already been achieved through their WPA
publication about timber cladding which will be
parts of the industry.
partnership.”
available later this year.
“Our greatest asset in all this is wood.
The TTF’s membership includes
“The partnership with TDCA, who are
timber importers, merchants, agents and
recognised industry experts, brings significant
the test of time, but it has never been more
manufacturers and covers a large proportion of
benefits and widening opportunities to TTF,
relevant than today. It has proven advantages
all the products and timber technologies that
WPA and our respective members,” said
which benefit the environment, the economy,
operate within the sector. TDCA is a relatively
David Hopkins managing director of the TTF.
the construction industry and our health
smaller, technically orientated organisation but
“The knowledgeable and experienced TDCA
and well-being. In addition, innovative wood
a proportion of members also support the TTF
team can provide the resources to achieve
protection technologies extend the service
or do business with TTF member companies –
TTF’s current objectives on both cladding and
life of timber and increase its performance
sharing common ground.
decking.”
capabilities in many applications. These
“By aligning with TTF, TDCA will extend
Sycamore added: “Our directors were
Timber is a historical material which has stood
key messages will form a big part of our
its reach. In turn, the TTF recognises the value
strongly in favour of a strategic alliance with
of the TDCA, as industry experts who can
TTF, recognising the benefits of expanding the
provide them with the resources to achieve
reach of TDCA to a wider audience. Initially
advocate the use of timber for decking and
their current objectives on both cladding and
the agreement was to help TTF implement a
cladding applications and through strong
decking,” said Sycamore.
programme of education for timber cladding,
partnerships with such trade organisations as
but we also aim to include decking under the
TTF, extend its reach to further educate and
same arrangement. We are excited by the
advise on best practice and quality.
TDCA and TTF will work together on planned projects of mutual interest which can
Spring 2020
25 www.timbermedia.co.uk
communications going forward.” The TDCA will continue to promote and
