News

Government extends CE marked products deadline to 1 January 2023

The government has officially confirmed the extension of the deadline to end recognition of CE marked products by one year. This means CE marked goods – including timber construction products – can continue to be placed on the UK market in 2022.

Speaking about the changes, the Timber Trade Federation said: “We have known for some time now that such an extension was inevitable due to delays to the Building Safety Bill, an essential part of the new product safety regime which the UKCA mark will work in tandem with – an issue we wrote about in July. So while this extension is welcome, many businesses will share our frustration about the approach taken by government on this issue.

“The main reason the government gave for the extension was the impact of the pandemic on businesses. Of course this is true, but it was true months ago. It is difficult to see the justification for the delay in communicating this extension to businesses. Our head of technical and trade policy, Nick Boulton, first saw some form of acknowledgement from some corners of Government back in July in presentations. There still remain some concerns across the construction products industry, amongst others, that even a year long delay will not be enough to fully prepare businesses for this change.

“We should also acknowledge that regardless of the date, the fundamental position of government remains the same. Recognition of CE marking is ending, and businesses who wish to continue supplying construction products to the UK still need to implement the use of UKCA marking as soon as possible. This is the message that TTF has been giving to members and their suppliers from the start.

“While the additional time will be helpful in making this transition, it remains important you take steps now to get your businesses and supply chain on this journey. Earlier this year we published a guide to making the change to the UKCA mark, and our advice remains unchanged.”

dRMM’s Timber Beacon shortlisted for COP26

‘Timber Beacon’ is dRMM’s response to the collective brief of a unique global timber industry collaboration. The 25+ strong alliance of innovators in engineered mass timber and wood-based products, global forest growth and development, is led by the UK Timber Trade Federation and CEI-Bois, the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries.

“As world leaders discuss our global responsibilities and collective response to climate change during COP26, our message for the future will be powerfully three dimensional: in wood there is hope. Timber Beacon is a wayfinding object and storytelling device showcasing timber’s ability to outperform other building materials in terms of carbon, strength, and beauty,” says dRMM founding director, Professor Alex de Rijke. Paul Brannen, director of public affairs at CEI-Bois, said “The global timber and global forest sectors see COP26 as the unmissable opportunity for policy makers to put into action what we already know about nature-based solutions; global forests and wood products are essential to averting catastrophic climate change, and increasing the use of timber products is an easy way to help decarbonise construction, renovation, and the wider built environment. Wood both stores carbon and substitutes for carbon intensive alternatives. We are also focused on globally recognised good governance as the key to growing forests around the world.”

The ambition is to erect the Timber Beacon at COP26 in Glasgow, UK in November, then take it on to London for the World of Wood Festival immediately after. Later plans include taking the Timber Beacon to the EU Parliament to continue advocating for policy change which acknowledge wood’s undisputed credentials as the only regenerative material that can deliver large scale construction.

Sponsorship is being sought to realise the full potential of this project. To find out more, contact  paul.brannen@cei-bois.org. This initiative is supported by UK Aid, under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s FGMC programme (Forest Governance, Markets and Climate).

Wooduchoose helping to tackle nationwide timber shortage

Devon-based company Wooduchoose Limited have utilised features of their wood products comparison website to help combat the nation shortage of timber. Wooduchoose.com helps UK joinery and construction firms to source materials and share resources. Wooduchoose allows customers to connect and receive prices from multiple joinery’s and timber merchants, for any product made from wood. Customers can choose from a range on over 10,000 profiles or choose to use the made to match or bespoke joinery quoting wizard. At the core of Wooduchoose is the online supplier management system called Woodutrade, which allows timer suppliers and joinery’s to upload their own products and timber stock they have for sale.

“During lockdown we saw a massive increase in three of our target groups,” says Paul Hayman, managing director of Wooduchoose. “Firstly home crafters were buying timber from our suppliers then selling their products via our portal. Architects were downloading more the free technical drawings than normal for specification proposals, and home refurbishment and restoration companies were using our made to match service more.”

Wooduchoose.com allows customers to search for products, such as architrave, sawn boards or planned squared edge, in any wood. The customer is given an instant indication of what the product could cost, as everything is made or cut to order and requires a bespoke quote. The customers can then instruct Wooduchoose to search the country automatically, via the inbuilt artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to find suitable joinery’s and timber merchants, which have already been preapproved, who can supply the product. The customer is then provided an exact quote and time frame for their bespoke order by each supplier. “Since lockdown has ended we have seen a lot more joinery firms signing up to Wooduchoose as a supplier,” adds Paul. “They like how they receive pre-qualified leads from customers and also have an outlet to sell timber they have in stock. This helps with the timber shortage by allowing joinery forms and construction companies to search the whole country to find availability of the timber they need.”

More at  www.wooduchoose.com

Moelven set to modernise sawmills

Moelven has plans to modernise and develop capacity at Moelven Edanesågen AB and Moelven Valåsen AB. Overall, the group will invest more than SEK 600 million in the two sawmills in the years to come. “This is a major investment by Moelven. Both Moelven Edanesågen and Moelven Valåsen will be the sawmills of the future, and they will play important parts in the group’s work to ensure international competitiveness in the future,” says CEO Morten Kristiansen, Moelven Industrier ASA.

Moelven Edanesågen will undergo a complete renovation of the entire production process from timber sorting, timber intake, new sawline and new dryer with increased capacity. This will be Moelven’s largest individual investment of all time, with a framework of SEK 450 million. The project will be completed in the first half of 2024. When finished, Moelven Edanesågen will have significantly increased production capacity.

“In Moelven we have always viewed the Swedish border as a county border, albeit not during this pandemic,” adds Kristiansen. “At Edane, which is just across the border, we shall now streamline and modernise production so that the sawmill can continue to supply the Norwegian and Swedish markets with climate-smart wood products. Moelven Valåsen is our largest sawmill measured in terms of production capacity and turnover. It was here we initiated the pilot project with increased digitalisation of the production process, also known as ‘The digital sawmill’. The investments we are now making are the continuation of making the sawmill even more efficient, sustainable and profitable.”

Moelven Valåsen in Karlskoga is also increasing its capacity, and is currently building a new energy centre that will be put into operation towards the end of the year, representing an investment of SEK 60 million. Now Moelven is investing an addition SEK 185 million to further develop the sawmill. This entails new investments in saw intake, raw sorting and sorting with camera technology, as well as a new sawline for small timber. When completed in 2024, efficiency and capacity at the sawmill will be significantly greater.

Travis Perkins announce new carbon target ambitions

Travis Perkins plc, the UK’s largest provider of building materials and equipment, has announced a commitment to a new 1.5 degreealigned carbon target by 2035. This is consistent with the 1.5 degree pathway of the 2016 Paris Agreement to limit global warming.

For Scope 1 and 2 carbon, which primarily applies to the decarbonisation of the Group’s fleet, this target will involve an 80% reduction and a net zero commitment to offset any remaining Scope 1 & 2 carbon by 2035. For Scope 3 carbon, this target will involve a 63% carbon reduction in the Group’s supply chain emissions by 2035, and primarily apply to the purchasing of goods and services: concrete products, bricks and plasterboard in particular, and the in-use emissions of goods sold: especially gas heating and power tools.

The announcement builds on the progress Travis Perkins has made to date by reducing Scope 1 & 2 carbon intensity (per £million sales) by 45% since 2013. “Climate change concerns us all, and we are committed to leading on this agenda and to meeting the growing expectations from our colleagues, customers, shareholders and the public to play our part by setting challenging, but achievable targets,” explained Nick Roberts, CEO for Travis Perkins plc.

“The decarbonisation of our business is part of our Building for Better framework, and one of the key areas we are focusing on to build resilience in the business. Beyond our own business, we are also in a unique position to influence our supply chain and the wider UK construction industry, so we are looking forward to working with our suppliers and customers to reduce our own carbon footprint while driving better behaviours across the industry more widely.”

Travis Perkins will publish a carbon reduction roadmap with key milestone targets later this year. This will include the transition of the company’s commercial fleet to low and no carbon options, and the decarbonisation of its estate and engagement and commercial plans around the Group’s supply chain carbon.

More at  www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

BSW Timber launches accredited installer scheme

The UK’s largest sawmiller and manufacturer of sawn timber products has launched an Accredited Installer Scheme that offers an array of exclusive benefits to contractors across the country. The scheme allows landscapers, joiners and builders to benefit from a wide range of services and support that will help to promote and add value to their business. Benefits include exclusive product training and automatic access to a rewards scheme, whereby installers can earn money just for using BSW products. Installers will also have access to a personalised dashboard on the BSW website, allowing them to promote their specialist services and gain leads for their business. Installers will receive a comprehensive membership pack, which includes BSW product samples, literature and branded merchandise. The scheme is completely free to join and there are no monthly fees involved. By joining installers will gain insider access to BSW’s innovative products and dedicated training for all BSW products, including fencing and landscaping, and the IRO and Alchemy ranges. Ideal for those working within landscaping, contractor and construction roles, the Accredited Installer Scheme will see members listed as approved installers on the BSW website, and members will reap the benefits of an exclusive rewards system – these reward points equate to money off with their local merchants.

Alongside their listing as an accredited installer, members can access technical support from the BSW team. They will receive local job referrals, giving them a competitive advantage as a trusted installer, and expertise recommended by BSW.

John Roberts, owner of Greentop Landscapes and Design, was the first member of BSW’s Accredited Installer Scheme, saying: “I’m delighted to be a part of BSW’s Accredited Installer Scheme and it sets the standard for the timber industry. It’s a great opportunity for us landscapers and it’ll help us to secure jobs in the future. The benefits of joining the scheme are endless and I’m chuffed to be a BSW Accredited Installer.” Sian Moreton, AIS Project Manager and National Sales Manager, at BSW added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to launch the new BSW Accredited Installer Scheme. This is something we have been perfecting for a while now and we really believe that by working hand in hand with all our fantastic installers as well as our network of suppliers we can help grow all our businesses together. The new scheme is an amazing opportunity for landscapers to grow their job opportunities all while gaining an in-depth knowledge and working with some of our award-winning timber products.”

The Accredited Installer Scheme is already live on and members can sign up at  www.bsw.co.uk/installers

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Ayrshire sawmill creates 25 new jobs thanks to new forestry contract

A timber processor in Troon is creating 25 new jobs thanks to a new contract awarded to them by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). The contract supports the introduction of a third shift at Alexanders Timber Design generating 25 new jobs at the Troon site they share with sister business, Glennon Brothers. It also secures the future of two local forestry contracting firms.

The new contract grants Glennon Brothers permission to fell diseased larch trees and spruce on FLS land near Cowal, Argyll and Bute. The timber is then hauled by local timber haulage companies to Sandbank Pier and shipped to the Glennon Brothers sawmill in Troon, before being processed into a range of fencing and construction products. Stress-graded timber is then processed by Alexanders Timber Design, for use in timber frame house kits for the UK’s affordable housing market.

Alex Murray, Forestry Manager at Glennon Brothers, commented: “We are thrilled to be awarded the new FLS contract to fell larch and spruce trees in Cowal, creating new jobs and securing others for local people. The contract is a welcome addition to Scotland’s expanding forestry industry, and ensures that timber grown and processed here in Scotland is used around the UK to support key critical sectors like the housing market.”

The contract also secures the future of two Argyll-based forestry contracting firms, AMAC Harvesting Ltd and Gary Anderson Forestry who fell the trees from the FLS site. Gary Anderson employs a local team from Dunoon, specialising in steep ground harvesting, saying: “This new contract appointment is incredibly important for our business. The appointment safeguards our future, sustains our income and has made it possible for us all to continue living and working within our community in Argyll.”

Mick Bottomley, head of marketing and sales at FLS, added: “We understand the importance of investing in Scotland’s rural communities. By keeping the timber processing local, we can safeguard local jobs and enhance sustainability. We have enjoyed a close working relationship with Glennon Brothers and Alexanders Timber Design for many years, and we look forward to extending our partnership to ensure ‘homegrown’ timber supplies are delivered for the UK housing market.”

Accsys Technologies buy Lignia Wood Company

ReSolve has announced the sale of the brand names, physical and intellectual property assets of Lignia Wood Company to Accoya Color UK Limited, a subsidiary of Accsys Technologies PLC. Accsys is the producer of Accoya® wood, an FSC-certified sustainable wood modified for increased performance and durability.

Accsys plans to transform the Lignia site into their own production facility, focusing on colouring their core Accoya® acetylated wood products to create Accoya Color, and hopes to retain some of the existing staff. Accoya Color combines the benefits of Accoya wood with colour all the way through the timber.

Chris Farrington, Partner at ReSolve, commented: “We are pleased to have completed the sale of the business and assets of Lignia Wood to Accsys. It is unfortunate that Lignia’s sales were adversely impacted by COVID-19 and it was unable to secure the necessary capital to survive in these challenging times. It is, however, rewarding to have found a suitable buyer that is able to make good use of the assets and hopefully retain some of the skilled workforce.” Rob Harris, Chief Executive Officer at Accsys, commented: “We are delighted to have purchased the business and assets of Lignia, which will enable us to significantly accelerate growth in our production capability of Accoya Color to help us meet the demands for this product from the market, and drive forward our growth ambitions for the business.”

John Alexander, Accsys Group Sales Director and Business Integration Director for the new Accoya Color facility, added: “Adding the equipment, assets and staff at the site in Barry, Wales, is a great fit for us as we grow and evolve our product range with Accoya Color. Throughout this process ReSolve has been an excellent partner, working with us diligently and professionally. They have been great at making themselves available for support and communication to reach a successful outcome, both with us and with the people based on the site, fostering a positive environment that was critical to retaining key individuals and greatly benefits the smooth integration of the operation into the Accsys family.”

More at  www.accsysplc.com

UK visit by ambassador helps promote Indonesian wood products

As part of their trip, the delegation enjoyed a visit of the Hanson Plywood warehouse where they inspected Indonesian Timber products. (L-R) Mochamad Rizalu Akbar, Trade Attache, Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Desra Percaya and Adi Winarso, Minister Councillor of Economic Affairs

In a bid to encourage UK timber importers to increase their purchase of legal and sustainable timber from Indonesia, a delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has visited a number of manufacturers across the country.

With FLEGT and legal and sustainable timber products at the top of their agenda - and led by Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Desra Percaya - the delegation visited James Latham, Hanson Plywood, Lambson Building Products and Caravan manufacturer Willerby.

During his visit, the Ambassador reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership between Indonesia and the UK. “We should seize the momentum of the implementation of UK-Indonesia FLEGT-VPA by seeking creative ways to increase supply sustainability of legal and sustainable timber products from Indonesia and ensure that such high-quality timbers remain as the critical part of the UK industry’s supply chain”. “Cooperation should be intensified to add more value to Indonesia’s FLEGT certified timber products and to replicate a similar mechanism with other forest and agriculture commodities. A holistic approach which involves all relevant stakeholders is indispensable. Business and industry associations, as well as consumers and NGOs, play a critical role in shaping perspective and demand, while governments and parliaments from both countries could provide regulatory and market incentives support as stated in the UKIndonesia FLEGT-VPA “.

UK sales agents and representatives for premium quality timber products from Indonesia, Pacific Rim Wood, who supply a number of timber products to these manufacturers, helped organise the visit. Managing Director, Shaun Hannan commented, “It has been an honour to host the visit, which has already been heralded as a major success in helping to raise awareness of Indonesian FLEGT licensed timber products as well as encouraging UK importers and stakeholders to increase their purchase of legal and sustainable timber products from Indonesia.”

Arnold Laver supports Tingdene Homes through stock shortages

When an industry shortage of plywood threatened to compromise Tingdene Homes’ ability to deliver their customers’ dream homes with the efficiency and reliability they’re committed to, the team at Arnold Laver Oldbury were brought onboard to co-ordinate a timely solution which not only put paid to Tingdene’s stock concerns but allowed them to invest in a long-term solution which has already saved the company an average cost saving of £200,000 per year. An industry-wide shortage of plywood (used in the packing and lining of park home walls) had the potential to delay Tingdene’s delivery of homes and an alternative solution was required urgently. Tingdene commissioned the support of Terry Palmer, regional director & category manager for Decoratives & Sheet Materials for the Arnold Laver Group. Working closely with the Arnold Laver supply chain network, a solution was proposed that not only enabled Tingdene to fulfil existing orders to schedule but will also provide a more durable better-quality alternative material for future works.

Tingdene Homes Limited lead the market in the manufacture and construction of luxury offsite park homes. In Tingdene’s purpose-built factory, customers’ homes are built to their exact specification under controlled conditions. Luke Wilkins, operations director at Tingdene said: “We have a great partnership with the Team at Arnold Laver. Terry is a key part of the Tingdene family and has been a great sounding board for our design team and will find solutions to almost any timberrelated problem we have. Lavers understand our business model and our business needs, which is hard to find when partnering with a timber specialist.

“An example of their dedication to supporting our business needs is their suggestion to us to invest in a CNC machine to groove our boards used for wall and ceilings, the investment alone has resulted in an average cost saving of £200,000 per year to the business. We previously had the boards fabricated externally via Lavers, but the CNC machine has been a fantastic investment leading to even greater cost savings.”

UK timber market at possible risk

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) says that the UK as a whole – which currently imports 80% of its annual timber requirement – is far too vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market. But it also says that Scotland is well placed to mitigate that risk by stepping up its commercial forestry sector. Homegrown grown timber makes up only around 33% of the UK market and while we are largely self-sufficient in fencing, there is significant, unmet domestic demand for more structural timber and also pallet wood. Mick Bottomley, FLS head of marketing and sales, said: “Scottish-based timber manufacturers could potentially triple production to meet current and anticipated future demand and produce a greater share of the remaining 67% of the market, that is currently imported, predominantly from Scandinavia, Latvia and Germany. There is also significant potential to expand Scotland’s one fifth of forested land area so that we can be more self-reliant in our requirements for timber.” Sawmills in Scotland and UK produce high quantities of pallet and fencing products but mainly produce construction timber, kiln dried carcassing that is used for roof battens, floor joists and studwork for partitioned walls. Already this year prices have risen 30%, as housebuilders and related industries struggle to secure supplies due to a huge increase in building activity, post-lockdown. This is even noticeable in the DIY stores when trying to get timber for home projects. Pointing out that the timber market is set to become increasingly competitive in years to come – and with long lead time of 25-40 years in productive forestry, Mick Bottomley suggested that the opportunity needs to be seized now: “Transport and energy costs will increase; emerging economies around the world will demand more timber and timber producing countries may be required to use more of their own timber at home as they seek to meet stricter climate protocols and net zero targets. Sweden is recording the lowest stock levels in 20 years and this trend is likely to be further exacerbated as current issues like wildfires, tree diseases and pests, exert additional worldwide pressures on the supply of timber. The UK can attempt to compete for diminishing supplies on the world market against growing economies such as China and India or do something to mitigate its exposure to these forces, by planting more commercial forestry now so that we are more self-sufficient in the future.” FLS’ sustainable management of existing productive forests aims to bring three million tonnes of timber to market every year. This year, FLS is planting 25 million trees and is further contributing to meeting the Scottish Government targets by acquiring land for new productive and native woodland creation.

The World of Wood Festival for COP26

Tropical forest management © euflegtredd GSK Labs © Michael Thomas

With the eyes of the world on COP26 in the first two weeks of November, the global timber industry is collectively hosting the ‘World of Wood Festival’ in London.

T

his six-week celebration of global timber and global forests takes place from 25 October to 3 December at the Building Centre in Store Street in London, online, and virtually.

The COP26 climate talks will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. Building on crucial climate change policy, the World of Wood Festival will showcase the vital role that forest supply chains have on our climate in local and global environments, and feature innovations, design and increased carbon storage potential of responsibly sourced timber from around the world.

Devised and coordinated by the UK Timber Trade Federation and CEI-Bois, representing European woodworking industries, the team has created an alliance of over 40 separate associations, organisations, businesses and campaigns representing global forest growth and development, engineered mass timber and wood-based products from Indonesia to the Congo Basin, Australia, North America and China. This initiative is also supported by UK Aid, under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s FGMC programme (Forest Governance, Markets and Climate).

Extraction and Sapele Sound Pavilion from ‘Conversations About Climate Change’ exhibition © Chris Jackson / Building Centre David Hopkins, Chief Executive of the Timber Trade Federation

Global action, global collaboration

Recognising that global action against climate change requires global collaboration, the the WOW Festival will celebrate the full timber supply chain from different regions of the world, governance and sustainable management practices, as well as the products that come out of these forests, their uses, and applications.

David Hopkins, Chief Executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said “COP26 is an unmissable opportunity for policymakers to put into action what the global timber and forest sector already knows; that nature-based solutions are an essential part of the climate mitigation necessary. Global forests and wood products are crucial to averting catastrophic climate change. We want to display the beauty of timber, its role in the climate emergency as a carbon store and to build global recognition that good governance and forest management is the fundamental component for growing forests around the world”.

The World of Wood Festival tells the story of how global forests and the wood products cycle is helping to avert climate change, is decarbonising construction, and supporting social, environmental and economic growth through governance in developing countries. Within these three connected themes, one key message prevails and remains more crucial than ever: that wood equals hope.

The World of Wood Festival

The WOW Festival will celebrate international best practice and use its inperson and digital experience platforms for discussion and knowledge-sharing to help strengthen forest governance and trade in wood products globally.

Drawing attention from the increasingly busy streets around Tottenham Court Road in central London, the crescent outside the Building Centre on Store Street will be home to the “Wood Passage”; an illuminated sculpture from proHolz Austria which guides visitors through the journey from forest, to tree, to house.

The Building Centre itself will host exhibitions telling the story of global forest management with a focus on European, North American, and tropical timber forests and production and twelve hybrid events including keynotes speeches, debates, webinars and reports launches calling for policy change. The Festival will also exhibit the Wood Awards shortlist as a celebration of the ultimate expression of design in wood and responsibly sourced timber from around the globe, and will host the winners ceremony later in November.

The WOW Festival will be supported by an event website www.worldofwoodfestival. org as a key resource and home for timber product, forests and climate information from the Festival’s supporters from all over the world, and a WOW Festival mobile augmented reality app will be launched for the start of the festival. The AR app will offer engaging interaction with six key messages and a virtual ‘Timber Beacon’: a pavilion installation designed for the Festival by award-winning architectural practice and timber advocates dRMM. “As world leaders discuss our global responsibilities and collective response to climate change during COP26, our message for the future is powerful: in wood there is hope,” said dRMM founding director, Prof Alex de Rijke.

David Hopkins said, “We have ensured that the World of Wood Festival is accessible both in-person and virtually. COVID is a consideration, but we also want to reach as wide an audience as possible. Visitors will be able to fully experience, explore and understand our messages in a fun, immersive and memorable way whether they join us in real life or digitally.”

If you want to get involved, contribute or sponsor the WOW Festival, contact  info@worldofwoodfestival.org

To get the latest updates register now on  www.worldofwoodfestival.org