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26 Ecogate® Controls Riverside Airflow
Extractly recently carried out a significant upgrade and reconfiguration of Riverside Wood Products’ dust extraction system, including the installation of ‘extraction on-demand’ technology.
30 Supporting British Forestry
Do you want to source your timber sustainably but locally? Grown in Britain talked to leading UK processors, BSW Group, about championing homegrown timber and responsible supply chains.
36 Celebrating UK Resources
Recent announcements by Government and industry about taking vital steps to increase the production of homegrown timber is hugely encouraging, says Timber Development UK’s David Hopkins.
40 Primed for Durability
With the help of SAM Mouldings, MEDITE SMARTPLY has launched MEDITE TRIMAX – a durable, sustainable and low-maintenance external cladding solution made from MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME.
41 Fostering Design & Construction Excellence
The Structural Timber Association has released two important documents aimed at keeping all those working in the timber sector informed of best practice.
42 Timber Frame on the Rise
A new timber frame manufacturing facility has opened in Scotland drawing timber from local sawmills and confirming sustained growth for Alexander Timber Design and Glennon Brothers.
44 Digitising the Cutting Edge
How can the joinery world benefit from the world of augmented reality? A new system being developed in Switzerland is showing how it can be done to bring new levels of precision.
To find out how Combilift
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European wood industries champion forest-based bioeconomy at UN
The European wood industries, represented by CEI-Bois and EOS, delivered a clear and forward-looking message during a side event of the 20th session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF20), organised by the FAO Advisory body ACSFI “Unlocking the Potential: Publicprivate Sector Collaboration for Advancing Global Forest Goals” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois) represents 22 European and National organisations from 16 countries and is the body backing the interests of the whole industrial European wood sector: more than 160.000 companies generating an annual turnover of 194 billion euros and employing 930,000 workers in the EU.
The European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) represents the interests of the European sawmilling sector on European and International level. Through its member federations and associated members, EOS represents some 35,000 sawmills in 11 countries across Europe, manufacturing sawn boards, timber frames, glulam, decking, flooring, joinery, fencing and several other wood products. Together they represent around 77% of the total European sawn wood output in a sector that has a turnover of around 35 billion EUR and employs about 250,000 people in the EU.
The event highlighted the strategic role of the European wood sector in advancing a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy. As a renewable, versatile, and low-carbon material, wood offers a viable
alternative to fossil-intensive products, contributing significantly to climate mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and circular innovation.
The European wood sector provides sustainable solutions across a wide range of industries—from construction and furniture to packaging, textiles, and bio-based chemicals—while reducing dependence on fossil resources. It also supports long-term carbon storage, especially through durable wood products in the built environment, thereby also contributing to alleviating the housing crisis. Beyond environmental gains, the wood sector is vital to rural development and economic growth in forest-rich regions. The wood industries drive innovation and technological progress in the circular bioeconomy by developing advanced construction materials while by converting wood processing residues into valuable products, the industry enhances resource efficiency and minimises waste.
To fully unlock the potential of the forest-based bioeconomy, we need coherent policies and harmonised standards. Key priorities include strengthening green public procurement, updating building codes to reflect the sustainability and carbon storage benefits of timber, and promoting modern construction methods such as offsite building and renovation. Increased R&D investment for wood materials and new applications is also vital. Ensuring a sustainable and secure timber supply remains essential for long-term success.
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Winners of the Roofscape Design Awards 2025 unveiled
The Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) has revealed the winners of the 2025 Roofscape Design Awards during the evening dinner at its Annual General Meeting and Conference.
Recognising innovation and technical excellence in roofscape design, the awards this year featured six categories. Three projectbased categories – Commercial Project of the Year, Conversion and Refurbishment Project of the Year, and Residential Project of the Year – were complemented by three new individual awards: Career Champion of the Year, Innovation Champion of the Year, and Safety Champion of the Year.
The judging panel praised the winning entries for their complexity, attention to detail, and thoughtful integration of health and safety, sustainability, and practicality. The AGM and conference, sponsored by leading TRA suppliers, featured two supplier focus sessions. Attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with members and sponsors, including BPC Fixings, Hundegger, ITW Construction Products, Simpson Strong-Tie, and Virtek.
dedication to training, development, and supporting the next generation of talent in the industry.
This year’s winning projects demonstrated outstanding technical skill, creativity, and a clear commitment to health and safety and sustainability. The winning projects are:
Commercial Project of the Year – Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) unit, Langdon Hospital, designed by Jamie Underwood of Crendon Timber Engineering. The entry was recognised for its technical complexity, including a large metal web joist scheme and challenging intersections. Judges praised the detailed submission and the thoughtful integration of an essential vapour barrier.
Conversion and Refurbishment Project of the Year – The Engine House, designed by Elicia Brumley of Acorn Timber Engineering. The judges were impressed by the comprehensive submission, which addressed every aspect of the project. The intricate roof structure, long spans, and shallow pitch were handled with exceptional attention to detail.
Residential Project of the Year – Plots 1 and 2, Knowle Road, designed by Ranjit Gill of Wyckham Blackwell. Praised for reducing the need for a steel frame and avoiding a cut roof, this project tackled complex elements such as rooms in the roof and a mix of vaulted and flat sections, supported by strong health and safety and sustainability considerations.
Career Champion of the Year – Jack West-Jordan, Crendon Timber Engineering (nominated by Tim Wilson). Recognised for exceptional
Innovation Champion of the Year – Sam Kirkham, ITW Construction Products (nominated by Scott McAndrew). Celebrated for outstanding leadership in advancing innovation across technology, sustainability, and operations.
Innovation Champion of the Year – Craig Smith, ITW Construction Products (nominated by Sam Kirkham). Honoured for driving innovative solutions and continuous improvement in product management.
Safety Champion of the Year – Ed Kirk, Crendon Timber Engineering. In recognition of his dedication to maintaining and promoting safe practices within the trussed rafter industry.
Nick Boulton, Chief Executive of the TRA said: “This year’s Roofscape Design Awards have once again raised the bar. The entries demonstrated outstanding creativity, technical know-how, and a strong commitment to safety and sustainability. It’s inspiring to see how our members continue to innovate and take on increasingly complex projects while maintaining such high standards. We were also proud to introduce individual award categories this year, recognising the people driving progress behind the scenes, from innovation and safety to career development. These awards highlight the importance of celebrating individual contributions, and we encourage all members to continue nominating their colleagues and peers in the future.”
More at www.tra.org.uk
James Jones & Sons expand business portfolio
James Jones & Sons Ltd have announced the acquisitions of Pallet & Bin Pty Ltd in Australia and United Box Ltd in the UK to provide an expanded product portfolio for farming and food processing end users.
United Box Ltd was originally formed as a joint venture in 2003 by James Jones & Sons Ltd and Scott Group Ltd. United Box manufactures and distributes agricultural boxes and is a valued supplier to the food industry across the UK and Ireland. In parallel, James Jones & Sons’ Australian subsidiary, Hyne Group, has announced the expansion of its Hyne Pallets division through the acquisition of Pallet & Bin Pty Ltd, based in Shepparton Victoria. Pallet & Bin manufactures a range of products for some of Australia’s largest food producers, including a significant amount for the export markets.
Hyne Group CEO, Jim Bindon said: “Clients include five of Australia’s largest food producers and this offers further diversity opportunities for our national pallet customer base. Shepparton is also strategically located between Hyne Timber’s Tumbarumba sawmill and key Melbourne metropolitan markets, offering some solid locational synergies for
both raw material timber supply and freight efficiencies.”
Tom Bruce-Jones, Chairman of James Jones & Sons Group, added: “Our recent acquisitions, combined with a progressive investment philosophy, are part of our disciplined global strategy and these two additions to our Group demonstrates our strong support of the rural and farming communities in the UK and Australia. This broadens our product portfolio and provides confidence to all our end users of our vertically integrated local supply chains, particularly given the current global trade war.”
The announcement follows the Group’s expansion in 2024 of its pallet manufacturing divisions through the acquisition of Rodpak Pallets & Packaging, Express Pallets & Crates and Pinetec Pty in Australia and H.G. Timber Ltd in the UK last year. The Group also expanded its Australian Garden Care division last year with the acquisition, through its Rocky Point Pty Ltd subsidiary, of Bassett Barks.
Pallet LOOP appoints Principal Contractor Account Manager
The Pallet LOOP (part of BSW Group) has announced the appointment of Laura Smythe as its new Principal Contractor Account Manager. Working as part of a wider team, dedicated to pallet recovery, Laura will focus on driving the return of LOOP’s reusable green pallets among Tier 1 contractors - furthering the company’s commitment to embedding circular economic principles in the movement of building materials across the UK and Ireland.
Laura brings years of pallet pooling experience to The Pallet LOOP team. Previously she worked at CHEP, a global leader in reusable pallets widely utilised in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. With an exceptional track record in client relations, operational management and asset recovery, Laura’s primary task will be to enhance The Pallet LOOP’s partnerships with principal contractors – increasing their uptake of its pallet collection service, which offers a financial incentive of up to £4 for every green LOOP pallet returned for reuse. Across the country, a growing number of principal contractors are now using The Pallet LOOP’s
collection service as an easy, cost-effective way of disposing of pallets (white and green). However, more work is required to scale the company’s novel approach and drive-up pallet returns as new material manufacturers shift to The Pallet LOOP. As part of this work, Laura’s will collaborate closely with The Pallet LOOP’s other account managers, who are working to support builders’ merchants and housebuilders. Commenting, Cathy Morio, Asset Recovery Manager at The Pallet LOOP, said: “We are delighted Laura is now part of the LOOP team. Her extensive experience in pallet pooling, will help ensure a seamless process for the return and ultimate reuse of our circular economy pallets – contributing to a more sustainable building materials supply chain. Our closed-LOOP system is already delivering huge financial and environmental benefits for many of the country’s biggest principal contractors. Under Laura’s leadership, we look forward to seeing that figure grow, alongside the number of pallet returns.”
The Pallet LOOP has now been operational for eight months. Initially the business supplied pallets to British Gypsum and Isover to move
bagged plaster, plasterboard and insulation. In early April, Superglass and Wienerberger started to move their products on LOOP pallets and discussions with other material manufacturers are ongoing. In the UK, The Pallet LOOP works with Scott Pallets and in Ireland its manufacturing and collections partner is CJ Sheeran.
Principal contractors, builders’ merchants and housebuilding companies interested in returning pallets to The Pallet LOOP can register for an account by emailing: setmeup@thepalletloop.com
More at www.thepalletloop.com
(L-R) Pallet & Bin’s Matt Alessi and Hyne Group’s CEO Jim Bindon
EGGER makes its debut at InstallerSHOW 2025
For the first time, leading wood-based materials manufacturer EGGER UK is exhibiting at this year’s InstallerSHOW, showcasing its comprehensive range of building products, decorative panels and flooring. Its EGGER Flooring Collection 25+ is also set to feature in the InstallerSHOW HAUS, a house built at the heart of the exhibition and designed to demonstrate the latest in sustainable design.
Highlighted on the stand is EGGER’s structural flooring systems. Manufactured from locally sourced timber and recycled material, the high-quality structural flooring boards are ideal for domestic flooring, refurbishments, newbuild projects and modular applications. The tongue and groove profile is precision cut to ensure a tight, consistent fit and easy installation. Visitors will also be able to gain an insight into the rigorous testing that the products undergo.
The building products on display include EGGER Protect, which has a P5 chipboard core and is finished with a hard-wearing, low slip,
thermally bonded layer on both sides that protects against moisture ingress and allows the installed boards to be left exposed to the elements for up to 100 days during construction.
Also featured on the EGGER stand is its new collection of laminate flooring. Visitors will not only see the quality of EGGER flooring products but also be able to watch a demonstration of the simple installation process. The new EGGER Flooring Collection 25+ includes over 200 realistic woodgrain and tile designs. The NatureSense range is suitable for all areas of the home; it includes two water resistant variants, NatureSense Aqua and NatureSense Aqua+, alongside NatureSense Herringbone, which delivers a parquet floor style look with the durability of laminate flooring.
Also, from the EGGER Flooring Collection 25+, is the AquaDura range. AquaDura has been selected for use in the InstallerSHOW HAUS, a full-scale Passivhaus standard two-storey house build designed by award-winning architecture practice IF_DO, to showcase sustainable
SCM presented their most recent innovations dedicated to timber construction technology at its ‘Timber Construction Days’ open house on 13-15 March. It brought together experts and professionals from different countries and under the spotlight was the new CNC machining centre OIKOS XS 650 and the renewed offer of software and digital services.
Held at SCM’s HQ in Sinalunga (Siena, Tuscany) it attracted over three hundred visitors from different countries, including leading companies, technology partners and prominent industry experts who took stock of the sector, trends and cutting-edge topics, including the digitalisation of mass timber.
Among SCM’s innovations, was the new CNC machining centre OIKOS XS 650, the latest in the OIKOS range with all its advantages while offering improved performance, greater productivity and flexibility when processing beams with a cross-section up to 650x310 mm. The event also shined the spotlight on Maestro lab beam&wall, the SCM software dedicated to all AREA and OIKOS CNC machining centres
innovations. The product was chosen due to it being PVC and plasticiser free, water resistant for 24 hours and having an integrated underlay made from recycled natural fibres.
Scott Wolters, Building and Flooring Sales Director at EGGER UK said: “2025 is our first time at InstallerSHOW and we’re delighted to be exhibiting. It will provide an excellent opportunity for us to speak to new and existing customers about our evolving portfolio for all areas of the home and the role that such solutions have in the future of construction.” InstallerSHOW takes place from 24-26 June 2025 at the Birmingham NEC. More at www.egger.com
SCM host timber experts at Italy HQ
and developed on the new CAD/CAM Maestro lab, to the advantage of the machine’s features and the operator’s experience of use.
The modernised industrial plant was officially inaugurated during the open house – now 50% larger and with a further 3,000sq m of production space, totally 10,000sq m overall. An expansion aimed at increasing production capacity and optimising internal logistics, in order to promote competitiveness and technological innovation.
“In line with the high demand from the timber construction industry, both in Europe and overseas, we have speeded up our R&D path and we were proud to showcase the many results at the open house,” said Tommaso Martini, Business Unit Manager for CNC Machining Centres and Systems for Timber Construction. “We started out with the production needs linked to the construction of timber buildings using mass timber and moved towards promoting a new concept of ‘smart timber’. We did so with solutions that allow our customers to make their processes smarter, optimising workflows, saving on material and covering a wider spectrum of applications.”
The open house was preceded by two days of training for the entire SCM sales network: colleagues and collaborators came to Sinalunga from as far away as Japan, to share knowledge about CNC technology and its various applications in the worldwide timber construction market.
More at www.scmgroup.com
RUNNING RINGS AROUND THE COMPETITION
Builders’ merchants and construction suppliers are accelerating investment in AI, as they seek to modernise operations and stay competitive, according to new research.
The study by eCommerce agency PushON, found that nearly half of businesses in the sector (49%) now see the rise of AI and automation as the most significant trend shaping their digital strategies, ahead of platform upgrades and product information management.
Half of builders’ merchants name AI a top priority
The report, ‘Building the Future: The Evolution of Construction eCommerce’, reveals a sharp uptick in the use of AI to drive personalisation, forecasting and customer experience improvements. Nearly two-thirds of firms surveyed said they were already using AI to offer personalised recommendations to customers, with plans to expand further. Inventory forecasting and stock management are also undergoing transformation, with 40% of companies deploying AI to better predict demand and optimise supply chains.
AI’s impact extends into customer service and marketing operations. Almost half of businesses (48%) report using AI chatbots to enhance responsiveness and support, while 46% are automating their marketing efforts to streamline operations. Enhanced site search functionality, using AI to better match customer queries with relevant products, has also emerged as a key investment area, with 49% of businesses investing in smarter search tools to drive better online engagement and conversion rates.
JELD-WEN door ranges awarded Cradle to Cradle certification
Specialist door manufacturer JELD-WEN has been awarded Cradle to Cradle certification for doors created at its factory in Penrith. Following extensive investment in sustainability initiatives the specialist timber door manufacturer has been awarded the benchmark certification, which confirms the circularity of its doors to support sustainable building design.
The Cradle to Cradle Bronze level certification applies to all non-glazed doors produced at the factory, including moulded hollow doors, plywood hollow doors and moulded fire doors.
Meeting all five categories of the standard to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certified® statusmaterial health, product circularity, clean air & climate protection, water and soil stewardship and social fairness - the award reflects JELDWEN’s commitment to sustainability.
Steps introduced by the company at its flagship sustainability site in Penrith include switching to electric vehicles, using renewable energy, adding sensors to taps, using FSC
certified and sustainable timber, using waste to power biomass boilers, and installing more efficient manufacturing systems. This has been supported by an ongoing commitment to employee equality and supporting wellbeing – such as investment in innovative health and safety systems, a wide network of mental health support, and supporting flexible working policies wherever possible.
Marcin Bacik, EHS Manager at JELD-WEN, said: “Operating sustainably is a priority for JELD-WEN to support both the drive towards net zero and to help our customers meet their sustainability objectives. Securing Cradle to Cradle certification for doors made at our Penrith site is a huge accomplishment and demonstrates our commitment to taking direct action to support sustainable building design, and helping to reduce waste associated with construction and the built environment.
“We are incredibly proud of securing this certification as a company and thank everyone who has played a part in ensuring the
As well as identifying key challenges for the sector, the report provides valuable advice to help businesses on their digital transformation journey. It explores the what is necessary and needed to future-proof operations and remain competitive. From adapting to new customer expectations to leveraging the latest technologies, the report offers insights into how businesses can position themselves for long-term success. However, achieving real progress requires commitment from leadership and a willingness to embrace change, and the report goes into more detail on this.
Sam Rutley, Managing Director of PushON, said: “Our research shows that AI adoption is accelerating rapidly in the construction supply sector and is reshaping the future of digital commerce. Builders’ merchants and suppliers that embrace these technologies now will be better positioned to meet changing customer expectations and drive future growth, while those who delay risk falling behind.”
company’s success in demonstrating compliance with Cradle to Cradle standards. From the components used in the creation of the door to the way that the site operates, the team has been 100% on board with demonstrating that we can achieve an incredibly high standard in ESG while maintaining the quality and performance of the product. We look forward to continuing to build on this.”
More at www.jeld-wen.co.uk
Add Value to Your Timber with Unosand
Achieve a premium for your timber products with the Unosand Multi 300S, 400S and 600S sanding and structuring machines.
By combining wire and abrasive nylon brushes, these machines remove the softer summer growth to accentuate the natural grain, delivering authentic aged and weathered finishes.
These robust machines can process components up to 300mm high — perfect for structuring beams, cladding, flooring, decking and mouldings. Designed with sawmill efficiency in mind, they feature motorised height adjustment, variable feed speeds and one to six adaptable heads to deliver precise results and enhance timber quality.
A range of optional features allow for customisation. Horizontal belts to replicate band saw marks, oscillation creates a textured finish, side sanding heads enable three-sided
According to recent research by Think Timber, a strategic partner to the timber staircase sector, the UK staircase industry faces a concerning capacity shortfall of almost one-quarter to meet the government’s housing target to build 1.5 million homes by 2030.
Think Timber gathered data from all the UK staircase manufacturers to compare current, maximum and required output to produce and supply 300,000 staircases annually, unveiling an alarming gap in the industry’s resources.
With the construction sector already handicapped by the lack of skilled labour, rising costs and industry politics, these findings indicate the goal is unlikely to come to fruition. While the government has attempted to respond to these issues by launching Skills England and investing £140million into New Skills Hub –
processing, and a vacuum bed can handle small components. For added versatility, add inverters or variable speed control, which are perfect for coating preparation, de-nibbing, edge rounding or polishing.
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Unosand stock a range of wire and abrasive nylon brushes to achieve different
effects in Thermowood, cedar, larch, Accoya, oak and pine, even MDF can be structured. For the last 20 years Unosand have specialised in providing brush sanding and structuring solutions to the woodworking industry, helping you make the most of your timber.
Call us to discuss your project or visit www.unosand.com to explore our range.
Labour’s housing goal predicted to exceed industry capacity by 23%
a programme which will deliver fast-track industry training – more systematic change is needed.
Gav Brown, Think Timber Managing Director, said: “A staircase is one of the most essential elements in a home. Even though they’re used daily, stairs continue to be overlooked when discussing housing supply. By collaborating with other staircase manufacturers to calculate our industry’s capacity, it was quickly made clear how farfetched Labour’s goal truly is. Even though Think Timber’s research may only focus on the shortage of supply in the staircase industry, it certainly points to the wider difficulties within the housing supply chain as a whole.”
Behind the scenes when building a home, on average, around 20 different suppliers, mostly SMEs, are needed to build one single house, all playing a crucial role in new housing development. As the government pushes forward with its ambitious housing goals, rising costs – from increases in National Insurance employer contributions to the upcoming Building Safety Levy – will add thousands of pounds onto the total of building each new
home, sending a ripple effect through the supply chain and piling pressure on SMEs, resulting in many being left behind.
Gav added: “With a shortage of skilled labour and constantly rising costs, many smaller businesses, like ours, are facing significant pressure. UK manufacturers, in particular, have been hit with input price inflation rising to a two-year high, leaving some businesses with no other solution but to stop production and shut down.
“While the need for new homes is certainly real, and setting an ambitious goal may feel like the solution, currently as an industry, it feels like we’re being set up to fail. Businesses are closing down, and no new entrants are replacing them – the industry supply chain is becoming narrower by the day. If we were to receive sufficient support from the government, such as contract guarantees for SMEs or available grants for increasing workforces and training, this would enable the industry to not just meet the quantity but the quality of UK homes.”
More at www.thinktimber.co.uk
Mass Timber Centre of Excellence launches at BE-ST Campus
A centre of excellence for mass timber research, innovation and manufacturing has been launched by Built Environment –Smarter Transformation (BE-ST). Supported by Scottish Funding Council and host institution Edinburgh Napier University, the Innovation Campus at BE-ST will now house £1.5million of newly acquired, state-of-theart mass timber post-processing equipment and SuperBlower extraction system. This will complement existing capabilities and further enhance precision finishing, production capacity, and health and safety processes.
The Mass Timber Centre of Excellence will provide the UK construction and built environment sector with the facilities, knowledge, and connections to accelerate the adoption of UK-grown mass timber solutions and access the benefits these can bring, such as lowering carbon emissions associated with construction, strengthening local supply chains, creating jobs, and improving the efficiency of the delivery of the built environment.
It offers access to the UK’s most advanced mass timber manufacturing equipment and hosts the largest commercially available CNC machine in the UK, while offering the fullscale production of cross laminated timber
(CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), and glue laminated timber (Glulam). The factory is anticipated to have an annual manufacturing output capacity of approximately 8,000m³ once fully operational.
The UK faces the dual challenge of a climate emergency and a housing emergency. By advancing the use of mass timber, the Centre has been established to position the construction industry as a key part of the solutions to both challenges. Currently, the UK imports 73,000m3 of mass timber per year. By creating higher-value timber products in the UK, such as mass timber, and leveraging local supply chains, we can unlock significant economic and environmental benefits in the UK.
The Centre provides support to accelerate UK-grown mass timber adoption across the UK. As well as offering access to mass timber manufacturing equipment, the Centre offers research, innovation, and systems design support through partnerships with industry and academic experts to develop timber solutions, consultancy services to assist with product approvals, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing processes, and timber processing through trusted partners for felling, grading, kilning, and planing. Hands-on training and
skills development can also be provided via the Centre to upskill the workforce in the expertise required to deliver mass timber products.
Sam Hart, Associate Director of Manufacturing and Housing, at BE-ST said: “The Mass Timber Centre of Excellence opens up huge opportunities for the construction sector. By investing in mass timber, we are not just advancing low carbon approaches to construction, we are also investing in economic growth, creating jobs, and addressing some of the UK’s key challenges.”
Stephen Good, CEO of BE-ST added: “The launch of this Centre will support the wider adoption of mass timber, helping to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen supply chains, and deliver much-needed domestic, non-domestic, public, and private infrastructure where appropriate, in a more efficient, affordable, higher quality and sustainable way.” The Mass Timber Centre of Excellence is inviting businesses, policymakers, and construction professionals to explore the opportunities mass timber can offer, from adopting or manufacturing mass timber components or taking part in our skills programmes.
More at www.be-st.build
Making Expert Moves
As Combilift point out, when choosing material handling equipment for your loads and facilities, it’s crucial to make a well-considered decision.
Akey aspect of Combilift’s design philosophy is to provide material handling solutions that not only save space and enhance productivity but also reduce risks and prevent accidents. Factors such as effective and efficient handling, financial cost, and sustainability are important, but safety should always be your top priority.
The Irish manufacturer has over 26 years of experience in the field and has a team of dedicated R&D engineers who continuously work on developing new features to promote safer operations. This commitment to safety and innovation is evident from the multiple patents they have acquired over the years.
Multidirectional forklift models, such as those in the C-Series and CB range, are designed to travel sideways while handling long and bulky loads including timber panels. The sideways function eliminates the need for overhead carrying while navigating tight spaces, significantly reducing the risk of injury. This, in turn, allows for much better and cost-effective use of all available space, which is one of a company’s most valuable assets. An additional safety feature is their low centre of gravity, which facilitates safer, low-to-the-ground movement of loads. The C-Series also includes an integrated platform, providing a stable base for resting loads during transportation.
Moreover, the driver needs to have an excellent vision of the load, the forks, and the general surroundings to ensure safety for other personnel who may be in the vicinity. The high position of the cabs on the C-Series models, together with generous glazing, ensures that even when carrying large loads, the driver’s line of sight is not impeded.
Another option to consider is pedestrian-operated stacker trucks. These operate at speeds inherently lower than those of ride-on trucks, which improves the operator’s awareness of the immediate surroundings as they are physically closer to the load, the machine, and people in the vicinity. Additionally, operators are always looking in the direction of travel.
The Combilift pedestrian stacker range is equipped with Combilift’s unique, patented tiller arm. The tiller arm can be turned left or right,
allowing the rear wheel to pivot parallel to the chassis and back at the touch of a button. This enables the operator to stay in the safest position while working in narrow aisles – at the side of the truck rather than at the rear, as with other pedestrian stackers. This reduces the risk of the operator becoming trapped between the truck and the racking and ensures full visibility of both the load and the surrounding area.
Contact us today to show you how Combilift and our wide range of products can help your company make the most of your existing space and enhance the efficiency and safety of your timber operations. More at www.combilift.com
Combi-WR4, the original 4-way pedestrian reach stacker
C5000 XLE, electric 5t capacity multidirectional forklift
Combilift C-Series multidirectional forklift, perfect for handling long loads
MKM Building Supplies make landmark appointment
MKM Building Supplies has appointed Dave Castle as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer – a key move as the business continues to grow at pace. Reporting to CEO Kate Tinsley, Dave brings over 20 years of experience in the building materials sector, most recently as Group Chief Commercial Officer and MD of BSS at Travis Perkins Group. His appointment signals the next step in MKM’s ambitious growth journey.
The move follows a standout year for MKM. In 2024, the business outperformed the market with 6.4% revenue growth, reaching £986million and opened 11 new branches. Commenting on his new role, Dave said: “I’m thrilled to be joining MKM at such a pivotal time. What makes this business different is the unique mix of local, independent feel and national scale. It’s a merchant that genuinely puts tradespeople first – and that’s why it’s winning.
“I’m looking forward to supporting our branch teams to keep doing what they do best: offering great service, fair pricing, and expert advice. Looking ahead, we’ll keep
expanding into new areas, embracing smarter ways of working, and helping customers stay ahead of changes in the market – whether that’s environmental regulation or new product requirements.
“From day one, the energy, pride and commitment at MKM was clear. It’s a business full of self-starters who care deeply about their customers and communities. I want to build on that culture, making MKM an even better place to work and do business – and keeping that local, personal service at the heart of everything we do.”
Passionate about protecting the independence of MKM’s branches, ensuring teams have the tools, talent and support to succeed – Dave Castle believes customers always come first. Developing future talent is another key priority, with a focus on attracting new people to the trade and supporting career growth through hands-on learning and apprenticeships.
CEO Kate Tinsley added: “Dave’s a fantastic addition to the team. His commercial
experience, deep sector knowledge and leadership style are a great fit for MKM. As we scale up, his appointment reflects our focus on growing with purpose – investing in people, supporting branches, and staying true to our values.”
MKM’s growth plans include further branch openings in key locations, continued investment in operational improvements like smarter logistics and digital tools, and a sharper focus on sustainability, helping customers access more eco-friendly products and solutions.
BMF and NMBS announce Industry Data Pool
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) have formed a strategic partnership to launch an Industry Data Pool which will: “revolutionise product data exchange in the building materials sector.”
The Industry Data Pool will provide an industry-owned resource containing high-quality, e-commercefriendly information on hundreds of thousands of products, with the groundbreaking initiative creating a centralised, digital platform for seamless product data exchange. The initiative will deliver a range of benefits, including centralised product data management for improved accuracy, consistency and accessibility, enhanced supply chain efficiency through seamless data exchange and increased regulatory compliance and transparency
The joint venture will be managed by Building Materials Digital Services Ltd, a non-profit entity equally owned by the BMF and NMBS.
The structure provides an immediate opportunity for merchants, buying groups and software providers to invest in the company’s success as shareholders, helping to create a product data pool by the industry, for the industry. Other key financial elements of the project include a tiered subscription model for manufacturers and suppliers.
Gareth Thomas has been appointed as Managing Director of the start-up business. Gareth has extensive experience in data management and business change and previously spearheaded the UK launch of the product data management data pool solution at EZ-base.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “We are excited about the potential of the Industry Data Pool to transform our sector. This collaborative, scalable platform will not only improve product data integrity but also drive overall industry efficiency. It is a major step forward in the drive to achieve consistent, digitised product data throughout the building materials supply chain, which the BMF has been working towards through our support and promotion of the ETIM standard and the introduction of BMF Product Data Templates.”
Chris Hayward, NMBS CEO, added: “The Industry Data Pool represents a significant advancement in how we manage data and interact as an industry. A digital solution is key, and by working together, we can leverage our combined expertise to deliver a solution that meets the needs of all parties involved.”
More at www.bmf.org.uk www.nmbs.co.uk
Premier Forest Products reflects on tough timber times
Leading UK timber supplier, Premier Forest Products, is celebrating a strong financial year, despite challenging market factors. Having experienced rapid growth in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the timber sector has faced a tougher period recently, which has had an impact on profits industry-wide.
To counteract this, Premier Forest has invested heavily in acquisitions and internal growth, increasing their team to over 400 across 19 sites UK-wide. CEO and Co-Founder Terry Edgell said: “The past two years have brought many challenges to our top line growth as we have seen continued depreciation of product value, but core volume has increased, thanks to aggressive and targeted growth in market share by our sales teams.
“In a tumultuous time for the timber industry, the value of group turnover has remained static, propped up by our acquisitive policies and underlying volume growth, which must be celebrated. Acquisitions have always been at the heart of our growth plan, whether in response to customer demand or to scale the business’s reach. This year we’ve successfully expanded our product range and geographical presence, with new sites in Essex and London serving a host of new customers.”
Premier Forest acquired Bitus UK from Swedish company Bergs Timber in November, followed by Stairway Joinery Ltd, a specialist in the design and manufacture of bespoke staircases for residential and commercial buildings. They also secured a 51% stake in Fforest Timber Engineering.
In the last 12 months, Premier Forest has invested heavily in machinery capabilities, investing over £1million in equipment across the business, specifically at the Duchy Timber, Premier Forest Haverfordwest and Decorpanel Newport branches. They have also focused on product
launches, with the Premier Platinum range of fencing timber, specifically targeted at the agricultural sector, released in September, and a new range of acoustic fence panels launched in July.
Most recently, Premier Forest has introduced the world’s first fire-retardant and water-resistant plywood, DryGuard FR in February 2025. The one-of-a-kind product was exclusively created in response to customer demand.
Terry adds: “Innovation is key to future-proofing the business. We’ve taken advantage of the tough market conditions of the last year and have invested in ourselves, enabling us to be well placed to deal with upturn in demand. We are anticipating a period of rapid turnover growth as a result of our recent acquisitions, alongside a period of product inflation in timber that will drive organic value; this will either arise on the back of demand generated by the anticipated house build policy, or from a further curtailment of production across the world as we have already seen in the last 12 months. Our investment over the last year will have placed us in a great position to deal with the upturn and ensure we retain our position as a market leader across the UK.”
Natural building product CPDs announced
Ecological Building Systems, a leading supplier of natural building products for sustainable construction, has revealed its comprehensive CPD programme for the year ahead. The programme, which is run via live webinar by Ecological Building Systems technical experts, covers a wide variety of building topics.
These include airtightness and active moisture management, breathable internal wall insulation systems, optimising building performance, newbuild construction using wood fibre insulation and product-specific topics such as IndiBreathe Flex – a natural flexible insulation made from UK hemp and upcycled jute. The topics are scheduled to take place on a regular basis throughout the year, to offer greater flexibility to delegates.
Neil Turner, UK Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, explains: “We have developed a highly relevant series of CPDs covering many newbuild and retrofit construction methods to give attendees the opportunity to ask questions of our technical team and to get a free design
review, if required. The training is open to everyone, from self-builders and home renovators to architects and other construction professionals. These webinars qualify for structured CPD points and attendees receive certification on completion.”
Ecological Building Systems has been delivering training on natural building solutions for the past 20 years. The company is at the forefront of environmental and sustainable building products and supplies a wide range of innovative airtightness solutions and natural insulations, backed up by expert technical support. Founded in Ireland in 2000, Ecological Building Systems expanded to the UK in 2007, with its UK division based near Carlisle in Cumbria. The company also has a permanent display at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon (stands 159 & 160), where visitors can arrange one-to-one meetings with technical experts to discuss their projects and explore suitable solutions.
More at www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com
Timber Coaters acquires Palmer Primer to help drive innovation
Timber Coaters Ltd, one of the UK’s largest independent timber coating specialists, has announced the acquisition of Palmer Primer Ltd, the respected British manufacturer of specialist coating machinery for the timber industry.
This strategic acquisition strengthens Timber Coaters’ market position by bringing in-house access to Palmer Primer’s advanced engineering and machinery technologies. Known across the industry for quality, reliability and innovation in vacuum and primer coating systems, Palmer Primer Ltd shares the core values that underpin Timber Coaters’ commitment to excellence. Operating one of the UK’s largest independent timber coating plants, the company uses vacuum and automatic spray coating lines to deliver high-quality finishes under ISO 9001-certified procedures
Palmer Primer Ltd is a British manufacturer of specialist machinery for the timber industry, with a long-standing reputation for innovation in primer and vacuum coating systems. Its equipment is widely used by manufacturers and processors across the UK timber sector
Palmer Primer Ltd will continue to trade under its established name, maintaining its identity and long-standing reputation, while benefiting from the resources, technical expertise, and operational support of Timber Coaters Ltd. The two businesses will work closely together to accelerate product development, enhance service capability, and extend their reach across the timber manufacturing and processing sectors.
“Palmer Primer’s machinery has been instrumental in raising the bar for coating applications across the UK timber industry,” said Graeme Thomas, Managing Director of Timber Coaters Ltd. “By combining their engineering
strengths with our technical expertise, we’re creating a powerful partnership focused on advancing quality, performance and customer value.
The acquisition includes the full transfer of Palmer Primer’s assets, technical knowledge, and production capabilities. It forms part of Timber Coaters Ltd’s long-term strategy to expand its technical capability, reduce supply chain dependencies, and strengthen its end-to-end offering for the timber industry. Customers of both companies can expect continuity in service, along with new opportunities that arise from the closer integration of machinery design and high-performance coating application.
SR Timber celebrating 20 years
In 2025, SR Timber is celebrating a significant milestone: 20 years in business. Shaun Revill, the current Trading Director and the “SR” in SR Timber co-founded the company in 2005. As an industry expert in timber roofing battens, Shaun possesses extensive knowledge about every aspect of production, from log processing to sawmilling and distribution. For many years, his guiding principle has been to promote the importance of using only certified, graded, high-quality battens in the UK roofing market.
Shaun started in the roofing business on the tools working for his late father, a third-generation slater and tiler. He expanded his knowledge of the industry and learnt about timber production and distribution by working for a Swedish timber exporter that specialised in the production, sales and distribution of roofing batten.
Following a spell as a timber agent where due to his knowledge of both Swedish and Latvian sawmills, he placed suppliers and customers together in this specialist area, he partnered with a leading UK roofing contractor at the time to establish SR Timber. The business was formed along with its sister business, a Latvian timber sawmill, which since that
day has been its only source of roofing batten, procuring logs and boards, and producing batten that is quality-checked and 3rd-party certified to BS5534.
Today SR Timber employs nine staff, nearly half of which are female in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. All the management and sales staff are independently qualified batten graders, continuing to raise industry standards. Their offices are based in Huthwaite, North Nottinghamshire, and they have a sizeable import terminal at Immingham, where they stock significant volumes of their flagship trademarked brand of PREMIUM GOLD™ BS5534 graded batten. Thousands of cubic meters of SR Timbers PREMIUM GOLD™ batten are delivered in and out of their Immingham terminal each month, it is consistently arriving from Latvia and is produced by their long-standing sole partnership sawmill.
Over the years SR Timber has expanded its timber product range to include various roofing timbers. The business is planning a number of celebratory activities over the year to mark this special achievement.
More at www.sr-timber.co.uk
Chopsticks charity put timber off-cuts to good use
Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions and XPO Logistics have partnered with North Yorkshire charity Chopsticks to provide timber off-cuts to its woodworking group. Chopsticks support vulnerable adults in the community, providing them a safe working environment while teaching them new workshop skills.
Working with otherwise scrap timber, the Chopsticks team create wood kindling or recycle it into new products in the ‘Chopshed,’ creating items such as flower planters and picnic benches. As offsite manufacturers, Coventry-based Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions prioritises waste reduction. Through its Roofspace Solutions, Pasquill and Scotframe brands, the Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions organisation supports its purpose to Make the World a Better Home by encouraging the use of timber in the construction of roofing and housing structures.
As each piece of timber used in construction projects is cut-to-size in a factory, there is inevitably a small amount of off-cut timber to be recycled. By partnering with Chopsticks, these pieces of timber are not only be turned into new items but also help in supporting the users of Chopsticks’ workshop. With the support of long-term logistics partner XPO Logistics, timber off-cuts will be transported to Chopsticks in Northallerton ready to be used on the team’s upcoming recycling projects.
Currently, timber off-cuts will be provided by Pasquill’s Stoney Stanton site and Scotframe’s Cumbernauld site, but it is hoped that the recycling programme will be rolled out to more Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions’ sites. As a fully self-sufficient charity, the smaller off-cuts provided by Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions that cannot be used elsewhere will be chipped down and used as biofuel to power the Chopsticks site in Northallerton, further eliminating waste.
Rachel McIntyre, Customer Experience Continuous Improvement Manager at Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, said: “One of Pasquill’s sites had been providing Chopsticks with timber off-cuts for many years, so when the opportunity arose to expand the project, I knew it would be incredibly beneficial for the both of us. It is a pleasure to be able to contribute to the Chopsticks team and the great work they are doing in supporting their local community.”
Dan Myers, Managing Director – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: “We are proud to play our part in collaborating with Chopsticks and Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions in supporting members of the local communities to develop new practical skills and build relationships. This partnership perfectly aligns with our Environmental, Social and Governance goals, where we aim to improve the environment and give back to communities in need while aligning with our customers on their values and continuous improvement initiatives.”
Tracey Taylor, Operations Manager at Chopsticks, said: “Partnering with Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions and XPO not only gives us the opportunity to be even more sustainable, but it also helps us to keep supporting people with disabilities. The work we do at Chopsticks allows us to teach vulnerable adults new skills in a practical environment where they are happy and engaged. All the money made from our sales of kindling and furniture is recirculated back into the business, allowing us to grow and keep supporting the people of Northallerton. We are grateful to Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions and XPO for their support.”
A&J Scott sets the wheels in motion for Mill 10
A&J Scott, one of the UK’s leading homegrown sawmills has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Mill 10 project, a transformative venture that will see the installation of a brandnew cutting-edge sawmill, designed to increase sawn timber output by an impressive 40%.
The new sawmill will feature a fully integrated system, including a log infeed, a high-performance sawline, an automated high-speed edging line, crosscut, stacking, and sorting lines for both centre and side-board products. Complementing this will be a fully integrated co-product handling system, ensuring optimal efficiency, sustainability, and resource utilisation.
The Mill 10 project reflects A&J Scott’s commitment to staying at the forefront of sawmill technology and innovation. By incorporating state-ofthe-art systems, the company aims to boost productivity, enhance efficiency,
and maintain its reputation for delivering high-quality timber products.
“This project represents a major step forward for A&J Scott,” said Robert Scott, Managing Director at A&J Scott. “Mill 10 will enable us to meet growing customer demand while improving our operational efficiency and sustainability. It’s an exciting new chapter in our history, and we look forward to seeing the first log processed in Q1 2027.”
The company is now well positioned for sustained growth in its main markets for fencing products, railway sleepers and other outdoor timbers in the years ahead, building on its record of delivering quality sawn timber products and high standards of customer service to its loyal base of customers across the UK. The company has also extended its product offer, adding NHSS4 highways standard fencing to its existing range.
More at www.ajscott.co.uk
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Woodsafe R&D takes a historic step forward
Woodsafe Research & Development (WRD) has installed Sweden’s most advanced testing equipment to verify the long-term performance of fire-protected wood products. With the capability to conduct both durability testing according to EN 16755 Method B and fire classification via SBI (Single Burning Item), WRD is setting an entirely new standard for what a fire lab for fire-treated wood can deliver in Sweden.
Woodsafe R&D is currently the only company in Sweden capable of performing large-scale aging processes on panels up to 6m in length. The new testing facility – developed specifically for WRD’s needs under the technical leadership of Dr. Lazaros Tsantaridis – enables full-scale testing of both durability and fire classification in one single controlled environment. “This is a huge leap forward for the entire industry,” says Dr. Lazaros Tsantaridis, Head of Research at Woodsafe R&D. “We can now simulate several years of weather exposure in just a few weeks and immediately evaluate whether the fire protection still meets requirements such as Euroclass B. No other operator in Sweden – and likely not in all of Europe – has this combined capability,
The core of this new initiative is a custom-built test rig for EN 16755 Method B – a European standard for testing the long-term durability of fire protection. Samples of fire-treated wood are subjected to cycles of moisture, heat, UV light, and drying that together simulate several years of outdoor exposure. The fire-retardant properties of the material
are then analysed – has the agent leached out, lost effectiveness, or does it still meet high standards?
“It’s precisely this ability to combine accelerated aging with direct SBI fire testing that makes our investment unique,” adds Dr. Lazaros Tsantaridis. “It allows us to verify both the durability of the protection and ensure the wood product still achieves the desired fire class.”
SBI testing (EN 13823) involves evaluating the fire behaviour of materials in a controlled corner setup. This method forms the basis of the Euroclass system – the fire classification system used throughout Europe. By combining SBI with durability testing under EN 16755, WRD can offer a complete picture of a material’s actual fire protection performance over time.
“For architects, builders, and developers, this means no longer having to guess about long-term performance. We can now provide clear answers on whether a fire-protected wood product stands the test of time – and back it up with data,” says Thomas Bengtsson, CEO of Woodsafe Timber Protection AB. “WRD is our spearhead in research, development, and testing. By bringing all of this under one roof, we can drive the development of next-generation fire-protected wood products – and do so with a scientific capability that is unmatched in the industry.”
More at www.woodsafe.com
Start Sawmilling at Home with the Wood-Mizer LX30 Hobby Sawmill
Ever dreamed of milling your own timber?
The compact, affordable, and user-friendly Wood-Mizer LX30 hobby sawmill makes it easy. Ideal for beginners or occasional users, just load the log, position it, and start cutting.
For all hobby sawmillers
The LX30 is a universal tool, perfect for farms, orchards, or workshops. Simple construction and intuitive use allow you to explore woodcutting projects with confidence—even without prior experience.
Compact
but powerful
Despite its size, the LX30 handles logs up to 56cm in diameter and 3.3m long. The durable sawhead moves along a 3-section bed with smooth rollers. For longer logs, extra bed sections can be added.
Easy setup and operation
Quick to assemble, the LX30 sits low for convenient log loading. It features a bed with thick steel rails, five cross-sections, two adjustable
side supports, and a central clamp. Choose between a 9.5 HP petrol engine or a 3kW electric motor. Operation is simple: start the engine, set the sawhead height, open the lubrication valve, and push the bar to cut.
High yield, less waste
Use genuine 32mm x 3200mm Wood-Mizer blades for clean cuts and more boards per log. Keep blades sharp with Wood-Mizer tools to extend blade life.
Order online – get started today. Buy the LX30 online with accessories like extra legs, bed sections, and cant hooks. It ships on a single pallet and comes with a 2-year consumer warranty. Start turning logs into lumber and unlock your woodworking potential with the Wood-Mizer LX30.
Aptus Fasteners launches the timberfix® 360 collection
Aptus Fasteners is building on the success of one of its most popular product lines. The business has launched the timberfix® 360 collection which features its bestselling high performance, multipurpose woodscrew in the three new and innovative pack formats.
“The introduction of the timberfix® 360 collection opens up a host of exciting commercial opportunities for our stockists” explains Stewart Taylor, Managing Director at Aptus Fasteners. The new pack formats now available provide a plethora of merchandising and display opportunities, helping to ensure maximum impact and presence at the point of sale. They are also ideal for use as potential promotional items and can help stockists to target different customer groups - whether that’s trade professionals who use large volumes of woodscrews or DIY enthusiasts looking for a comprehensive all-in-one selection of fixings.”
The three pack formats that make up the timberfix® 360 collection include an 1,800-piece Grab & Go trade pack which features multiple boxes of screws contained within one larger, heavy-duty, fully recyclable cardboard box with an easy carry handle. The second pack format is a 1,333-piece robust, metal carry case complete with spring latches to ensure more secure closing and a reduced risk of accidental spillages. The third and final format is a 1,000-piece, recyclable and water-resistant plastic organiser case.
All three packs within the timberfix® 360 collection contain an assortment of the brand’s most popular sizes, are available as both torx and Pozidriv options and contain free insert bits. An all-round performer that’s often imitated but never bettered, the timberfix® 360 woodscrew
remains a highly sought after choice, and especially amongst professional users, because of its versatility and assured performance. These UKCA and CE certified fixings can be used for both manufactured boards and natural wood and offer a faster drive with less torque and a reduced risk of splitting the wood. timberfix® 360 woodscrews also benefit from a countersunk head for a neater finish and are zinc and yellow plated, ensuring increased corrosion resistance and durability.
“The creation of the timberfix® 360 collection is the result of an active programme of product development that’s all part and parcel of our commitment to being our customers’ ‘Trusted Fastener Partner” adds Stewart. “We want them to know they can count on us not only for high quality products sold in an ethical and honest way, but also for new range additions and enhancements that can enhance their continuing success.”
More at www.aptusfasteners.co.uk
George Barnsdale renew Secured by Design membership
Lincolnshire-based timber windows and doors manufacturer, George Barnsdale, has announced it has renewed its membership with Secured by Design, the flagship UK police initiative that helps ‘design out’ crime with high-quality, innovative products and processes.
Since George Barnsdale’s founding in 1884, the family-run business has become a cornerstone of the Lincolnshire village of Donington, contributing to both the local community and the broader construction industry. The company prides itself on the reputation they have built with its products, designed to meet the highest weather-resistant, security, thermal, and acoustic insulation standards.
Created over 30 years ago, Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative owned by the UK Police Service, with the specific aim of reducing crime and helping people live more safely by improving
the physical security of buildings using products such as doors, windows, and locks. Secured by Design is the only way for products to achieve police recognition in the UK, so to be recognised as a member alongside over 800 member companies whose products and services meet the required standards that aim to reduce crime, is something the timber window and door manufacturer is proud to maintain for another year.
Catherine Clarkson, Sales & Marketing Director at George Barnsdale, said: “Our products are designed with security and durability in mind, which we achieve without compromising on style. Being recognised by such a prestigious accreditation like SBD and to supply products that not only look good and perform well, but that make people feel safe, is something we’re pleased to say we can deliver.”
George Barnsdale’s product portfolio features several Secured by Design accredited timber windows and doors. The principles of SBD have been proven to reduce the risk of crime and the fear of crime, which is why George Barnsdale actively take strides to improve the security of its products through continued research and development.
Doug Skins, Development Officer at Secured by Design, said: “I’m pleased that George Barnsdale have renewed their Secured by Design membership. Their timber windows and doors effectively meet the standards of the Police Preferred Specification, which aims to reduce crime and improve safety. It has been a pleasure working with them so far, and I look forward to our continued relationship over the coming years.”
More at www.georgebarnsdale.co.uk
YB Battery First Fix Nailer Unleash Cordless Power
Step into a new era of cordless power with the YB Battery First Fix Nailer. This tool helps professionals remove the constraints of fuel cells and air compressors, operating solely on the robust energy of its Li-Ion batteries.
This design provides complete freedom and flexibility on any job site, allowing users to move and work without being tethered to hoses or reliant on fuel. The YB Battery First Fix Nailer is engineered to handle demanding tasks with ease. It allows users to drive up to 1300 nails with the two batteries, removing the worry of downtime and boosting overall productivity and workflow.
Designed for the professional
This nailer boasts an ergonomic design for ease and comfort and minimises user
fatigue, ensuring comfort and control even during prolonged use. Its rapid-fire capability delivering up to 2.5 nails per second, further enhances working speed, allowing for swift and efficient nail placement. When recharging is necessary, the charger bring the batteries to full charge in 60 minutes, minimises disruption and increasing efficiency.
Beyond its cordless convenience, the YB Battery First Fix Nailer delivers the power and performance expected from a top-tier tool. It features a 52-nail magazine capacity and a powerful 100J output, making it suitable for a wide range of first-fix applications. The inclusion of selectable bump or full sequential
firing modes adds to its versatility, allowing users to adapt to different nailing tasks and preferences. This nailer truly delivers the cordless convenience that professionals demand, without compromising the high performance required for demanding construction and framing work.
Embrace the power, the convenience, and the efficiency of the YB Battery First Fix Nailer – the future of first fix is here.
Insurance is an essential part of all business operations but can be confusing. But with expert advice and knowledge on hand, Compare Credit Insurance (CCI) can help guide you to the best solutions for you and your timber operations.
Credit Risk in the UK timber trade remains elevated, as a consequence of the construction industry facing a number of challenges. Low profit margins, fixed price contracts, fluctuating material costs, and high geopolitical risk are all factors weighing on confidence across the sector. Insolvencies in construction remain at historically high levels, placing greater strain on cash flow and increasing the risk of bad debt.
Adding to the pressure, tighter credit terms from suppliers and banks have left many timber businesses carrying more of the risk themselves. When a buyer fails to pay, it’s not just a loss of revenue— it’s often a loss of the profit margin on multiple deals. With thin margins and high exposure to trade credit risk, even a single bad debt can cause significant disruption.
Atradius, one of the UK’s leading Credit Insurance underwriters recognise the risk’s associated with the industry in the current climate but have confidence in the sector. “It’s been a turbulent couple of years for the timber industry. Demand/ supply imbalance during the COVID-19 pandemic initially drove significant timber price inflation. Interest rates and the associated cost of living pressures drove a slowdown in the House building
and Repair Maintenance & Improvement (RMI) markets. This resulted in deflationary pressure and the associated squeeze on profit margins.
Entering 2025 it’s not all doom and gloom though – interest rates are reducing, opening up spending on new developments and RMI projects. The current government’s housing targets offer a fantastic opportunity for demand to increase, and all this sits against the backdrop of the favourable weather we’ve seen across the UK during the Spring. Independent bodies are forecasting growth in the second half of 2025 and beyond, and we at Atradius agree that there’s a real chance for these factors to come together and support improved performance across the year.”
Credit Insurance for the Timber Trade
• Save Money: we are focused on getting you the best price and tailoring the policy to the specific needs of your business
• Expertise: all our brokers are highly experienced in credit insurance. We know what we’re talking about and are always in your corner
• Support: as your policy evolves, we’ll help you make decisions for your business that protect your interests
• Risk mitigation: partnering with specialist timber underwriters, CCI provides comprehensive risk assessments across your customer base.
“Now is a smart time to review your credit risk strategy. With insurer appetite still strong
and policies flexible enough to
suit a range of business sizes, credit insurance is not just for
the big players. Whether you’re
a sawmill, importer, or merchant, protecting your sales ledger
could be the key
to staying competitive and resilient in a challenging year ahead.”
Trade credit insurance is a vital tool, it protects your receivables, giving you confidence to trade more securely and even expand into new markets with the assurance that you’re covered if a customer fails to pay. Credit insurers also provide ongoing risk insight, helping you monitor the financial health of your customers – something particularly valuable in a sector where relationships can mask underlying issues.
The credit insurance market includes 14 active insurers, several of which are recognised as timber sector specialists. These insurers employ risk underwriters with deep industry knowledge and a clear understanding of your customers and trading environment. At Compare Credit Insurance, we maintain strategic relationships with all major providers. Our priority is to match your business with the most suitable insurer—securing the best possible terms and the highest level of cover tailored to your needs.
Now is a smart time to review your credit risk strategy. With insurer appetite still strong and policies flexible enough to suit a range of business sizes, credit insurance is not just for the big players. Whether you’re a sawmill, importer, or merchant, protecting your sales ledger could be the key to staying competitive and resilient in a challenging year ahead.
What Our Clients Say
• “I can’t thank you enough for the support you have given, and continue to give, to the business. You’ve made the credit insurance and management process a lot easier to manage for myself and the team.”
• “Thanks for your efforts on behalf of the client and ourselves over the last year, as the relationship has greatly improved since your involvement.”
• “We can’t speak highly enough of the service we’ve received in supporting us to get the best possible deal. Your responsiveness and understanding of our business surpassed our expectations so thank you so much, we really appreciate it!”
• “We moved our credit insurance brokerage because of the professionalism and care shown to this business and the attention to the detail afforded to us, as well as the inaction of our prior broker.”
Ecogate® Controls Riverside Airflow
At Riverside Wood Products (RWP), Extractly have carried out a significant upgrade and reconfiguration of the company’s dust extraction system, including the installation of energy-saving ‘extraction on-demand’ technology.
Headed up by Paul Sullivan, RWP is a well-established, family-owned joinery shop offering a wide range of machining services. As well as processing high volumes of panels and ‘cut & edge’ boards, plus timber components in all shapes and sizes, the company also undertakes everything from carcassing and assembly work, to individual bespoke furniture projects.
For over a decade the company had enjoyed steady and continuous growth in the relative comfort of a 9,000sqft workshop. In more recent years, however, having invested in several new machines to keep pace with the demands of an ever-expanding order book, the company’s workshop was bulging at the seams. In early 2024, when the adjacent warehouse space unexpectedly became vacant, Paul Sullivan took the decision to literally ‘knock through to next door’ and has more than doubled the available floor space.
The now vastly improved production facility includes an impressive line-up of Homag machinery: including several CNC machining centres, plus a couple of edge banders, as well as a horizontal beam saw. “When all these high-speed machines are in operation, the need for an equally efficient dust extraction system is obviously essential”, says Paul Sullivan. “This reorganisation of the factory presented us with the perfect opportunity to upgrade and reconfigure the system as we relocated the various machines.”
Extractly’s Sales Director, Jake Oldfield, had initially been invited to assess the company’s requirements for a completely new extraction system, including the supply and installation of a new filter unit They acquired a substantial pre-owned filter unit, complete with a 75kW main extraction fan. “Installing new ductwork throughout the factory and getting the whole system to work safely and efficiently with a second-hand filter unit, was definitely a job best left to the professionals,” said Paul.
Extractly’s Jake Oldfield added: “This was a sizeable project for Extractly and, because the fan and filter Paul had installed was probably
powerful enough to extract from a factory twice the size, our revised proposal also included for the supply and installation of Ecogate® energy-saving ‘On-Demand’ extraction control technology.” Without Ecogate® installed, the main fan would be operating at full power, throughout the working day, with a total annual electricity consumption estimated at around 180,000kW.
However, with an Ecogate® greenBOX controller continuously monitoring individual machine usage and, via the Ecogate® PowerMASTER™, continually adjusting fan speed to exactly match extraction demand, huge reductions in electricity consumption are possible – resulting in correspondingly significant cost savings.
Although the Ecogate® system is configured to control electricity usage at current production levels, it has more than enough capacity in reserve to continue providing efficient extraction if RWP invest in further new machinery. The Ecogate® greenBOX installed at Riverside is the highly intelligent ‘Nxt’ model which has the capacity to control the operation of an extraction system with multiple main fans and up to 72 individual workstations, so the extraction system is now effectively ‘future-proofed’. The Nxt controller has an industrial PC onboard, and a built-in web server provides remote access for fast, automated software updates. In addition, with systems controlled by a greenBOX Nxt, the processor integrated into each 24V DC motorised ‘Smart’ damper provides reports on pressure, air velocity, and air volume and, to ensure employees’ safety, minimal airflow is automatically managed across the entire ductwork system to reduce the risk of fire or explosion.
“I had a lot of confidence in the team from Extractly”, explains Paul. “In the past we’ve probably been guilty of just going with the cheapest quote for extraction work, but once bitten, twice shy, and Extractly’s on-site installation engineers, led by experienced Operations Director, Graham Day, were a credit to the company.”
RWP easily handles long runs of cut & edge panel work, produces timber components in all shapes and sizes, and undertakes bespoke furniture projects
Enabling the fan to operate well below capacity, it’s estimated that Ecogate® technology will save RWP around 40% off its electricity bills at current usage, giving a projected ROI of under 30 months
New Timber Media Products & Services Directory
The new Timber Media Products and Services Directory provides the industry with a comprehensive listing of top suppliers and manufacturers operating in the timber sector, all in one place on the www.timbermedia.co.uk website.
A listing provides a highly effective, cost-efficient way to promote your products and services online, alongside the industry’s top brands. Generating inbound leads and enquiries, as well as backlinks through to your own website!
Your company profile will include:
The directory will also be promoted regularly via eshots, newsletters, magazines and social media channels – providing additional exposure to a large, specific network.
Enter The Cube
Timber merchants can boost revenue, efficiency and quality with a machine that is easy to use and can handle a range of custom orders with ease.
Timber and builders’ merchants are always looking for ways to expand their product offerings and enhance customer service to stay ahead of the competition. Offering something unique is an excellent strategy to attract both trade and public customers through the door.
While standard-sized planed timber is a common staple, how do you handle requests for non-standard sections? Do you turn them away, unsure of the rest of the order, or do you accept the challenge and risk wishing you hadn’t? Many forward-thinking merchants are already tapping into the benefits of a quick-turnaround plane to size service, increasing both revenue and margins. But the key to success lies in having the right equipment.
is supported by the very manufacturer that designed it, making it a reliable, worry-free investment.
See The Cube in action
Enter the Weinig Cube. This machine is the ultimate solution for merchants looking to handle custom orders with ease. This innovative four-sided planer can be safely operated by almost anyone after just 20 minutes of training. It sets new benchmarks in simplicity and efficiency without compromising on quality.
With a fully graphical touchscreen interface, The Cube requires no mechanical adjustments, ensuring complete safety with no contact with sharp blades or moving parts. When it’s time to replace the blades, the process couldn’t be simpler: the reversible knives slide out of the knife holder, easily turning over for a quick swap. It’s a low-cost, self-locating solution with no headaches.
The Cube handles timber sections ranging from 260 x 160mm down to 15 x 8mm, with automatic size adjustments via a user-friendly touch screen. It’s designed for immediate response to customer demands, and because it doesn’t require a skilled machine operator, you can ensure consistent, high-quality results every time. The result? Exceptional service that builds customer loyalty.
With over 260 Cube machines already installed in the UK, you can rest easy knowing that Weinig UK is behind this equipment. The Cube
Weinig offers a wide range of machines to serve the timber trade, from rip saws and crosscuts to wall saws and moulders.
We invite you to visit our showroom in Abingdon, where we have around 25 machines on display for demonstrations and training. You can also explore a selection of used Weinig machines that pass through our workshop. We are happy to arrange a personal demonstration of The Cube so you can see for yourself just how simple and effective it is. We are confident that once you experience it, you’ll see the positive financial impact it can bring to your business.
For more information about the Weinig product range, contact Weinig UK at 01235 557600 or email sales.uk@weinig.com
To celebrate Weinig’s 120 years of excellence in the woodworking industry, we’re offering a limited-time promotion on The Cube. For just £170 a week, you can own a brand-new Cube. But hurry this special offer ends on 30th June.
Supporting British Forestry
Do you want to source your timber sustainably but locally? Grown in Britain talked to leading UK processors, BSW Group, about championing homegrown timber and responsible supply chains.
espite the availability of quality, sustainable, Britishgrown alternatives, the UK’s timber industry faces a startling reality – approximately 80% of timber used in Britain is imported. Timber merchants, sawmillers, manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly tapping into local timber sources to reduce carbon footprints, lower costs, secure supply chains, and meet growing customer demand for sustainable products.
Why choose UK-grown timber?
Grown in Britain (GiB) has been driving demand for homegrown timber through its certification scheme, ensuring responsible forest management and full supply chain traceability for over ten years. The benefits extend beyond simply ‘buying British’ – UK-grown timber can represent cost savings, boost local economies, enhance nature in the UK (one of the most nature-depleted nations on earth), and can offer a reduced carbon footprint and enhanced supply chain security.
BSW Group, the UK’s largest integrated forestry and timber business, has been a long-standing GiB certificate holder. Their ‘seed to sawn’ ethos, from growing saplings through to harvesting, processing, and manufacturing end products, exemplifies the full potential of the British timber industry.
Challenging misconceptions
One of the significant barriers to greater UK timber adoption is the persistent misconception around quality. Many architects and builders automatically specify C24 grade timber, effectively excluding British timber from consideration. “C16 timber, which is grown and manufactured in Britain, is perfectly suitable for the vast majority of construction projects,” explains James Brennan of BSW. “Yet many default to imported C24 without realising that C16 is more cost-effective and has a lower carbon impact.”
This perception gap exists even with evidence to the contrary – for example, major housebuilders have been successfully using UK-grown Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS) to stud their buildings for over a decade. Industry investment has dramatically narrowed the quality gap, with modern UK timber offering comparable performance to imported alternatives at a competitive price point.
New opportunities through a shifting market
Recent supply chain disruptions have created fresh opportunities for UK-grown timber. “We’ve seen a noticeable shift in the market over the
last six months,” notes Sian Moreton, BSW’s Head of Sales. “For example, shortages of imported CLS timber have prompted our customer base to look more at UK alternatives. We’ve found once customers experience working with British timber, they have no quality issues – it’s opening doors to broader conversations about using more UK-grown products.”
The UK timber industry has transformed over the past two decades, with significant investment in quality, consistency, and supply chain integration. More work is needed to deliver the necessary planting regimes to support productive forestry: by choosing GiB-certified timber, you can help build a demand pipeline, which supports investment into better managed UK forestry.
By specifying homegrown timber, merchants, sawmillers, manufacturers, and suppliers can offer customers more cost-effective, environmentally sound solutions while supporting British forestry. With government roadmaps now explicitly supporting greater use of homegrown timber, there’s never been a better time to bring British wood into the conversation.
Include C16 in your product mix: when discussing projects with customers, always include UK-grown C16 as an option alongside C24, highlighting both cost and environmental benefits – you’d be surprised how many people are simply unaware it’s an option
Challenge default specifications: many C24 specifications are unnecessarily over-specified. Where appropriate, suggest C16 alternatives, especially for standard applications
Ask about availability: all the major national merchants and independent suppliers BSW works with, can source GiB certified timber. If they don’t stock it, they can request a delivery
Look for the certification mark: the Grown in Britain logo signals the timber you buy is homegrown and comes from responsibly managed sources. Buying GiB timber means making a choice to support our natural environment for people and the planet. Ask suppliers about certification to verify authenticity.
Seeds of Growth
The latest Forestry: Spotlight from Savills Research outlines the position of the commercial forestry market but also offers an insight into the UK’s woodland make-up and future challenges.
The UK forestry investment market has slowed following its decade of exceptional growth, peaking in 2022. According to the Savills Research Spotlight (The Forestry Market) there was an increase in marketed property from the previous forest year but completed sales fall well below the 10-year average. The total area of publicly marketed commercial forestry for 2024 was 13,000 hectares. This is the highest the sector has seen since 2019 but only converted to 8,100 hectares of completed sales across the UK during the 2024 forest year.
As a result, the overall market has seen a fall in value compared to the 10-year average, correlating to the smaller area of hectares traded and the softening of average price. In 2024, the average gross value decreased by -11% to £15,500 per hectare, based on a comparison between 2023 and 2024 completed sales.
“During the 2024 forest year, the total value of UK transactions rose by 3% to approximately £103million,” says Nicola Buckingham, Associate Director in Savills Rural Research team. “However, this is significantly lower than the 10-year average of £157million. Forestry values saw an exceptional rate of growth in the 10 years leading to 2022. Since then, the market has slowed and there has been a fall in the average value of timber properties, which is closely linked to the September 2022 mini-budget and a sudden rise in interest rates.”
Planting Dynamics
The report finds that significant tree planting progress was made during the 2023/2024 planting year, but land availability is bringing new challenges. For the first time since the mid-1990s, new tree planting in the UK reached 20,700 hectares in the planting year to 31 March 2024, with a year-on-year increase of 59%. During the previous four years, planting of new trees was comparatively steady, with an average of 13,500 hectares planted per year.
The formation of the Tree Planting Taskforce (TPTF) in the second half of 2024 had a significant impact on targets for tree planting. The aim is to increase woodland cover to 16.5% of the UK land area by 2050 which will see a new tree planting target of nearly 0.6 million hectares
over 25 years – or 22,527 hectares per annum, an almost 25% decrease from the previous target of 30,000 hectares per annum.
The advent of AI promises to enhance the quality and speed of data analysis. By analysing vast quantities of data from tree imaging and sensors, AI can deliver insights about the forest, such as identify tree species, assess biomass and predict forest growth patterns – enabling more precise and efficient forest management.
The Forestry Market 2025 shows the UK forestry sector in a period of transition, shaped by economic pressures, policy shifts, and evolving environmental goals. After a decade of rapid growth, the UK commercial forestry market experienced a marked slowdown in 2023 but is stabilising. Fluctuating interest rates, inflation, and uncertainty around carbon financing have tempered investor confidence, on a commercial footing. However, the long-term fundamentals of the forestry market remain strong. Demand for sustainable timber, increasing carbon awareness, and government ambitions for ‘naturebased’ solutions provide a solid foundation for future growth.
The commercial forestry market saw an increase in the number of marketed properties last year, but completed sales remained well below the 10-year average.
Interest in tree planting led to the highest area of new planting since the mid-1990s. However, the complex interaction of changing targets, competing land uses, pests and diseases, funding and regulation continue to present barriers to solving the woodland creation issue.
Technology is advancing, allowing foresters to make faster and more accurate assessments of tree and forest health to improve outcomes.
Image: Forestry England
(Free) Space for More Productivity
OHRA’s customised shelving systems with mesh shelves and cantilever bridges can provide flexible space for a variety of materials and pallets.
The vertical racks enable spacesaving storage of panels and unobstructed transport routes and increase storage capacities to significantly boost company productivity. With almost 7m high cantilever racks, Ihre Zimmerei (Your Carpentry) was able to multiply its storage area by a factor of nine at its new company headquarters in Metzingen, Germany. The OHRA shelving was customised to the carpentry firm’s requirements in terms of dimensions, fittings and surface coating. Thanks to the equipment with mesh shelves and arm bridges, the racks provide flexible storage space for a wide range of items and pallet formats.
Additional vertical racks enable spacesaving, vertical storage of panels in a wide range of dimensions. Thanks to the shelving systems, the joinery has a high storage capacity.
In addition, the variety of storage options means that the aisles are free of materials and obstructions - this alone has enabled Ihre Zimmerei to significantly increase productivity.
The racking system designed for the new warehouse consists of a hot-dip galvanised cantilever rack almost 16m long for outdoor use. Inside, a 15m long and a three-metre-long cantilever rack were installed. The 7m high cantilever racks provide significantly more storage capacity than the floor storage and the much lower racks used at the old location. The cantilever arms of the racks, which can carry up to 1,000 kilograms, were also partially equipped with mesh shelves and arm bridges. This means that a wide variety of different types of wood, consignment items and pallet formats can be stored on the shelves.
The freely suspended cantilever arms allow the heights of the individual storage levels to be
adjusted very flexibly. Two additional vertical racks were set up for storing panels of different sizes. The panels are stored vertically in these racks, enabling quick and easy access to the desired panel. All interior shelves were powder-coated in an attractive anthracite grey (RAL 7016). Ihre Zimmerei were impressed with the competent advice and the individual planning of the shelves. A customised solution was found for each of the new shelves, which can still be flexibly adapted to changing requirements later.
Heritage Begins at Home
Heritage is defined as: ‘The history, traditions, practices, etc. of a particular country, company etc. that exist from the past and continue to be important.’ People and quality have always been at the heart of traditions at Vincent Timber and that integrity is part of our heritage, continuing to be important to this day.
Vincent’s Heritage Collection® refers to the species that are common in the UK. They present a rustic, traditional façade creating a build that feels steeped in character and charm, just like British history. British grown timbers feature varying grain and a medium/ high frequency of knots within the grade.
Homegrown Cedar
Our British grown Cedar timber cladding is kiln dried and offers a natural colour variation from one board to the next. With distinctive grain definition, alongside a warm colour, homegrown Cedar timber facades are striking.
Homegrown Larch
British grown Larch timber cladding is also a kiln dried timber. It possesses a warm colour and a straight, fine grain creating an elegant and distinguished look.
Designed by architects Watson Batty, the new school created a 1,200-place secondary school, including sixth form provision for 11–18-year-olds. It is a state funded single sex boys’ school with girls admitted to the Sixth Form. Ongoing calls for additional school places drove the decision to increase investment in new, replacement and upgraded educational facilities. The pressing need is also leading to significant changes in the type of construction technique specified, with the government pushing for platform-based construction solutions such as this one on the Northampton School. Fire treated timber Cedar cladding is known for its durability, natural beauty, and versatility, ideal for high traffic areas such as schools.
Lower Carbon Footprint
The Heritage Collection® cladding offers cost-effective products with a low carbon footprint. This is due to the timber having travelled fewer miles. Transporting timber from overseas involves ships, trucks, and sometimes planes, all of which emit CO₂. Supplied fully FSC-certified and kiln dried, with optional fire treatment options, it comes ready for your timber cladding project, sourced and supplied fit for purpose.
More at: www.vincenttimber.co.uk
Architect Corstorphine & Wright worked with main contractor Willmott Dixon to complete this £61million project, a newbuild all-through school in Warwickshire. Construction of the new school facilities were completed in summer 2024, with pupils taking occupation at the start of term in September 2024. Secured through the Scape construction framework, The Oakley Grove School comprises a 34-place nursery, 420-place primary and 900-place secondary school with SEND provision. The build included creating a low carbon school setting in line with the Council’s own commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The design adopts a fabric-first approach to reduce energy consumption and limit carbon emissions in operation. The homegrown Welsh Larch external cladding – part of the Heritage Collection® – aligns with the energy efficient focus of this build. Its durability makes it the ideal choice for high footfall areas maintaining a striking appearance for years to come.
Northampton School for Boys
Oakley Grove School
Oakley Grove School
Northampton School for Boys
Celebrating UK Resources
Recent announcements by Government and industry about taking vital steps to increase the production of homegrown timber is hugely encouraging, says Timber Development UK’s David Hopkins.
The UK timber industry is standing at a transformative moment. A renewed wave of government support, including updated policy roadmaps, major funding initiatives, and strategic forest planting plans is finally aligning with the longvoiced calls from our sector to scale up the use of timber in construction – especially homegrown timber.
At the heart of this momentum is the updated Timber in Construction (TiC) Roadmap, relaunched recently by Environment Minister Mary Creagh at the Timber in Construction Summit in London recently. The roadmap builds upon the Government’s ‘Plan for Change’ and outlines a comprehensive strategy to meet both housing and climate goals by placing timber at the centre of UK construction.
Speaking at the event, Mary Creagh said: “Timber gives us a triple win. It’s really good
for nature, it’s really good for carbon, and it’s a fantastic construction product. We want to increase the use of timber in housing in this country, but we also want to have a much more secure and sustainable timber supply. At the moment, the UK is the second largest timber importer in the world, after China, and we think we can do better than that. It’s all about creating a resilient, resource-efficient sector.”
A strategic push for homegrown timber
The UK currently imports around 80% of its timber. This reliance not only undermines the sustainability of our construction sector, but it also limits our ability to control costs, quality, and emissions in the supply chain. The updated TiC Roadmap aims to reverse this by promoting productive forestry, domestic processing capacity and sustainable timber use across the construction industry. It includes commitments to:
• Encourage sustainable, low-carbon building materials through Government Buying Standards
• Close evidence gaps on mass timber’s safety and performance
• Stimulate market confidence and investment across forestry, land management, and offsite manufacturing.
Crucially, these efforts are backed by reopened forestry grants, including £4.1million available to tree seed producers, foresters, nurseries, and landowners. Through initiatives like the Tree Production Capital Grant and the Tree Production Innovation Fund, the Government is supporting the technological and infrastructural growth needed to ensure a reliable supply of quality, diverse planting stock.
The Government’s commitment to the Timber in Construction Roadmap is a real boost to the low-carbon construction
“As a bio-based industrial supply chain, the timber sector can play a unique role in the low-carbon economy –sequestering emissions in the forest and storing them in our buildings. TDUK welcomes these government actions, which will help grow domestic timber production and increase confidence across the supply chain.”
sector. We have a great opportunity to increase our housing stock while growing our forests and reducing our emissions output. As a bio-based industrial supply chain, the timber sector can play a unique role in the low-carbon economy – sequestering emissions in the forest and storing them in our buildings. TDUK welcomes these government actions, which will help grow domestic timber production and increase confidence across the supply chain.
Planting new foundations
Perhaps the most symbolic commitment comes with the announcement of the first new National Forest in 30 years – the Western Forest. Spanning from the Cotswolds to the Mendips, this forest will see 20 million trees planted by 2050, creating at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland and serving more than 2.5 million people.
This bold reforestation initiative supports the Government’s broader environmental goals, including the halting of biodiversity decline and protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030. But for the timber sector, it also means increased resource security and a long-term investment in woodland economies. Environment Minister Mary Creagh again underscored the dual benefit of the new forest: “We will plant 20 million trees in the Western Forest to bring nature closer to people, prevent flooding and support wildlife.”
Simultaneously, these forests are laying the groundwork for future timber production – reconnecting the value of land, people and industry.
A united front across the sector
The TiC Roadmap is not just a Government plan – it’s a collaborative blueprint shaped by more than 150 organisations and individuals, including TDUK, the Forestry Commission, Confor and the Structural Timber Association (STA), among many others.
“To reach net zero, we must increase timber production from homegrown trees and use that timber in our buildings to sequester carbon.” Others have welcomed the roadmap’s emphasis on scaling up homegrown timber and supporting the wider timber supply chain. Together, we are moving towards a circular, resource-efficient timber economy – one that supports green jobs, lowers emissions, and revitalises both rural and urban communities.
The UK timber market has long needed a co-ordinated approach to realise its full potential. With this renewed government backing, we now have the foundation for real change – rooted in both policy and practice. But this is only the beginning. TDUK remains committed to supporting merchants, importers, sawmillers, and the wider sector as we seize this opportunity to grow our domestic supply chain. Together, we can ensure that British buildings are made not just from timber, but from timber grown, processed, and celebrated here in the UK.
More at: www.timberdevelopment.uk
Forestry Commission Chief Executive Richard Stanford said:
Sometimes you just need a plan B
At WoodScanner, our mission is to partner with the timber industry to develop
rmed with valuable industry feedback, we’ve completely redesigned the WoodScanner marketplace creating an advanced digital platform that improves market visibility and transparency while preserving transactional confidentiality.
ASo, whether you’re a supplier seeking new customers or a buyer in search of quality timber products, we are excited to confirm that WoodScanner 2.0 is launched and ready to transform the way you do business.
For Buyers: Put simply, buyers often have a limited supplier network but still want to know what the possibilities are and who has what in the marketplace – time and convenience are often the key factors.
For Sellers: It’s the same for sellers, as not all businesses have the resources to promote their products and brand across the nation and are forced to work with a limited customer base, missing out on many sales opportunities.
WoodScanner 2.0 will remove these barriers and provide an additional and affordable channel to do more business.
New For Buyers: Effortlessly find and compare multiple product options, then when you are ready, connect privately with trusted suppliers whose capabilities align with your specific requirements. Expect user friendly search tools, a cleverly formatted enquiry form for building quotes and a direct messaging service so that you are always in control, 24/7, 365.
New For Sellers: Unlock your business potential and showcase your brand, products and expertise on our dynamic platform – without the burden of displaying stock levels or prices. Receive enquiries tailored to your preferences and extend your market reach to begin building relationships with new clients.
Also, check out our refreshed Deals Page, where we highlight special offers and launch new products for our community of buyers and sellers. Finally, if you sell timber products, contact us and make sure that you are included in our indispensable digital directory – so that you are immediately discoverable!
If you have any questions or additional feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
WoodScanner 2.0 – The Smart Place to Find Timber. Visit www.woodscanner.com for updates and registration details.
Primed for Durability
With the help of SAM Mouldings, MEDITE SMARTPLY has launched MEDITE TRIMAX –a durable, sustainable and low-maintenance external cladding solution made from MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME.
Designed to enhance the look of both newbuilds and renovations, this quality timber cladding is available in primed or fully finished options, ensuring a hassle-free installation with a flawless, longlasting finish. Projects can be completed using MEDITE TRIMAX fascias and soffits, available as standard in white.
Perfect for houses, garden rooms, sheds, and leisure homes, MEDITE TRIMAX presents an easy and durable solution to upgrading the aesthetics of a new or existing building with a product that is guaranteed to stand the test of time with minimal maintenance.
“We are proud to join forces with SAM Mouldings to bring to the market this innovative cladding solution – durable, sustainable and easy to maintain,” says Jack Scanlan, Product Manager at MEDITE SMARTPLY. “While the partnership between the two companies is founded on a solid reputation, MEDITE TRIMAX is rooted in advanced engineering. It gives end users peace of mind that, with proper maintenance, the cladding will last the lifespan of the building. Furthermore, the sustainable appeal is achieved by using fastgrowing trees that lock up carbon during their lifespan – a significant benefit as the construction industry strives to reduce its carbon footprint.”
Durable
The primary objective of the cladding is to protect the building from weather elements such as rain and wind, so durability is of the
utmost importance. Manufactured with acetylated wood fibre, MEDITE TRIMAX is a groundbreaking cladding solution with the highest durability for timber in the market. It is also resistant to rot and fungal decay. The panel exhibits outstanding stability, allowing it to be used in applications once limited to products such as composite panels, fibre cement, hardwood, softwood or PVC.
base panel ensures performance throughout the building’s lifespan. Available in several colours, these cladding panels make it simple to transform the aesthetics of a house and achieve the desired look.
Based in Northern Ireland, SAM is the UK’s leading manufacturer of interior and exterior MDF mouldings, including skirting and architrave, cladding, fascia and soffit.
“The panel exhibits outstanding stability, allowing it to be used in applications once limited to products such as composite panels, fibre cement, hardwood, softwood or PVC.”
Sustainable
The softwoods are sourced from sustainably managed, FSC-certified forests. By using fast-growing trees, MEDITE TRIMAX offers a sustainable alternative to conventional solutions while providing longevity beyond standard timber cladding.
Easy to maintain
MEDITE TRIMAX cladding comes primed or fully finished, offering versatility to suit a range of project needs. With easy and infrequent maintenance, users can simply sand and paint the cladding to keep it looking great. Enhanced stability and durability extend the coating’s service life, and any damage to the coating will not affect the core. A 50-year warranty on the
“An important function of cladding is to enhance the building’s aesthetic appeal,” says Paul Lavery, Joint Managing Director at SAM Mouldings. “As the UK’s leading manufacturer of MDF mouldings and a trusted partner of MEDITE for many years, we’re proud to lend our expertise to MEDITE TRIMAX. Featuring superior finishing, the cladding is also lightweight and easy to install. The solution is a cut above the rest. Undeniably, one of the main factors in that is the neatness, uniformity and crisp look you can achieve with MEDITE TRIMAX cladding.” The cladding solution is available in double shiplap or double tongue and v-groove profiles and is easy to install with stainless steel fixings.
More at www.meditetrimax.com
Fostering Design & Construction Excellence
The Structural Timber Association (STA) has released two important documents aimed at keeping all those working in the timber sector informed of best practice.
To support the growing use of timber within the built environment the STA recently released ‘Structural Timber: Design and Construction Guidance’ – a guide for architects, engineers, developers, and insurers, that is aligned with the RIBA Plan of Work. This followed on from the latest update to the STA Volume 1 Pattern Book: ‘Structural timber buildings fire safety in use’, which provides information on the performance of different structural timber elements.
Timber has been recognised as a key material in the UK’s journey toward net-zero, with the Government reconfirming its support of the Timber in Construction (TiC) Policy Roadmap and doubling down on its commitments in the Spring Statement, with a pledge to build 1.5million homes over the next five years. The STA’s new ‘Design and Construction Guidance’ provides essential resources for those less familiar with structural timber systems, ensuring timber is integrated into construction projects efficiently, safely, and sustainably. The document provides guidance from project inception through to completion and long-term use.
Covering the eight stages of the RIBA Plan of Work, the guide outlines key considerations, including early-stage planning, technical design, procurement, fire safety, moisture management, and construction logistics. It also provides valuable insights into structural timber construction methods, such as open and closed panel timber frames, structural insulated panels (SIPs), cross laminated timber (CLT), and volumetric modular systems. Andrew Orriss, Interim CEO at the STA said: “With the UK’s commitment to reducing embodied carbon in construction, timber offers a sustainable, efficient, and highperformance alternative to traditional materials. This guidance not only supports best practice but also provides clarity for stakeholders across the supply chain, ensuring confidence in timber-built solutions.”
The STA remains committed to ensuring the highest standards in timber construction through initiatives such as the STA Assure quality assurance programme and the Installer Training Scheme (ITS). STA Assure is the STA’s Quality Assurance Scheme that provides confidence
in the use of structural timber and determines member competency and compliance, providing solid reassurances to the construction community that its members meet or exceed current legislation and regulatory requirements. The document also addresses critical industry challenges, including market confidence among lenders and insurers, and provides recommendations to mitigate risks associated with fire safety and moisture ingress.
Volume Pattern Book update
Peer reviewed by experts at BRE Global, this demonstrates the fire resistance performance of a range of timber frame wall and engineered timber floor constructions used commonly in the UK. By streamlining the process of demonstrating compliance for designers, manufacturers and regulators, the STA provides simple, clear instructions on what component parts within each construction element can be changed. Paul Newman, Technical Director at the STA said: “The Volume 1 Pattern Book is one of our most important publications; recognised and accepted by Building Control Bodies as an authoritative source of information, and we remain committed to maintaining and developing its content to ensure rigorous safety design principles are always upheld.”
The latest update to the STA Volume 1 Pattern Book includes two new wall elements, minor clarifications to previously existing wall and floor elements and generic roof spandrel elements, and several clarifications aimed at making the document easier to use. The STA and its members have continued to invest in the content of the Pattern Book since it was first published in 2020 and not surprisingly it is one of the most popular downloads from the association’s website.
The latest update to the STA Volume 1 Pattern Book is available at: www.structuraltimber.co.uk
The full document ‘Structural Timber: Design and Construction Guidance’ is available at www.timefortimber.org/how-timber/ the-design-process
Timber Frame on the Rise
A new advanced timber frame manufacturing facility has opened in Scotland drawing timber from local sawmills and confirming sustained growth for both Alexander Timber Design and its owners Glennon Brothers.
In a landmark moment for Scotland’s manufacturing and construction industries, First Minister of Scotland, the Right Honourable John Swinney MSP, recently officially opened one of the UK’s most technologically advanced timber frame construction facilities..
Operated by Alexander Timber Design (ATD), the company is owned and run by UK & Ireland timber industry leaders, Glennon Brothers. Established in 1913, Glennon Brothers has grown into a major supplier of sawn softwood products for the construction, packaging, fencing, and timber frame housing sectors. The company handles over 1.1 million cubic metres of logs annually, producing more than 550,000 cubic metres of sawn timber.
All of the Troon sawmill supply comes from sustainably managed sources and is FSC certified with around 65% of its total annual intake sourced from within a 75-mile radius of the sawmill. The remaining 35% is delivered in bulk cargo by sea transfer from the Isle of Arran and from Argyll by Timberlink. Sitka spruce makes up 97% of its total supply.
The official opening marks a significant leap forward in sustainable building practices
and green manufacturing in the UK and Ireland and the £18million investment brings Glennon Brothers’ total investment in Scotland to over €80million.
Innovation and sustainability
ATD’s Irvine facility sets a ‘new European benchmark for innovation, environmental responsibility, and industrial integration’.
The cutting-edge manufacturing plant is to become a central hub for timber frame
housing innovation across the UK. It combines advanced robotics, precision engineering and the very latest next-generation design systems to deliver high-quality Scottish timber homes while excelling with world-class standards of ‘efficiency, sustainability and resource maximisation’.
Commenting at the launch, First Minister John Swinney said: “Today’s opening is a symbol of the kind of future Scotland is building with high-skilled, high-tech and environmentally
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney MSP, officially opened the cutting edge facility and explored the timber systems in production
Troon sawmill
responsible next generation industries. This facility brings together sustainable construction, advanced manufacturing and regional economic development, placing Scotland firmly at the forefront of the green industrial revolution. It is an excellent example of the kind of economic opportunities that can exist that can help both grow our county’s economy whilst tackling the climate emergency. Quite simply, it is creating Scottish homes from Scottish timber.”
ATD sources raw material from its sawmill in Troon which produces high quality timber products for the construction industry as well as the fencing and packaging sectors. The Troon facility uses its own residues in their Combined Heat & Power plant which generates its own electricity whilst also producing heat to kiln dry the timber.
The ATD business operates in a continuous and sustainable green cycle. Sitka spruce crops
are grown in Scotland over a 35-year rotation before being felled to help meet the need for a sustainable supply of timber products. After processing these logs in the Troon sawmill, the company use the best quality C16 construction grade material to build new homes for the Scottish housing market, and all in a state-of-the-art timber frame facility that is only six miles away from the sawmill. Concurrently, the forest site that provided the raw material supply in the first place is being restocked to complete the green cycle.
Mike Glennon, Joint Managing Director of Glennon Brothers said: “This is a very proud day for our company. We’ve always believed in the potential of Scottish timber and in the skilled people who make this industry thrive. With this facility, we’re investing not only in advanced technology, but in Scotland’s sustainable future. We are honoured to have First Minister John Swinney MSP here today to
“After processing these logs in the Troon sawmill, the company use the best quality C16 construction grade material to build new homes for the Scottish housing market and all in a state-of-the-art timber frame facility that is only six miles away from the sawmill.”
share this very positive story about forestry, timber, and the outstanding economic and environmental benefits from which Scotland can prosper.”
Woodland resources
Glennon Brothers has welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to new woodland creation and target of 18,000 hectares of new planting this year. Commercial conifers are an essential part of the journey towards net zero and are highly efficient at sequestering carbon over shorter rotations, storing carbon in sawn timber products.
“Today’s launch provides a real-world example for governments, developers, and consumers looking for greener alternatives,” added Joint Managing Director Pat Glennon. “This facility offers a tangible example of how the timber industry can lead the transition to a low-carbon economy. It reinforces Scotland’s role as a leader in modern methods of construction (MMC), helping meet the rising demand for energyefficient, affordable housing.”
As the UK construction industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, the opening of this plant offers a scalable, sustainable solution that aligns with national and international climate goals. Timber frame construction is now widely regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly building techniques available, offering lower embodied carbon, faster build times, and greater energy efficiency. This milestone represents not only a triumph for the two companies and the Scottish economy but is symbolic of what the future of construction can and should look like.
Digitising the Cutting Edge
How can the joinery world benefit from the world of augmented reality? A new system being developed in Switzerland is showing how it can bring new levels of precision and ease when working with wood.
Based at the enormous Rolex Learning Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland, the Ecole Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of Europe’s leading institutions with architecture, engineering and technology research a large part of its success..
A growing demand for timber structures – with its low environmental impact, carbon storage capacity and potential for fast assembly – coupled with technological advancements, has led many producers to assess how best to automate their processes.
A system developed at EPFL uses augmented reality (AR) to help carpenters make extremely precise timber cuts without having to measure or mark up beams. Its hybrid approach stands to make digitally assisted technology affordable for small businesses, woodworkers and construction professionals in developing countries.
EPFL engineers have developed an AR-based system called Augmented Carpentry that could put paid to the stereotype of a carpenter working with a pencil in one hand and a tape measure in the other. Available in open source, the system is a first step towards a hybrid process that combines the dexterity of humans with the reliability of computer processing. Augmented Carpentry is poised to make digitally assisted timber-cutting methods affordable for small businesses, woodworkers and construction professionals in developing countries.
An augmented working space
The system is the result of four years of research, development and testing by Andrea Settimi – an EPFL PhD student whose thesis is being supervised jointly by Julien Gamerro, former post-doctoral fellow, and Yves Weinand, head of EPFL’s Laboratory of Timber Construction (IBOIS) – along with several other project participants. It’s capable of producing holograms with sub-millimetre precision to guide human operators.
The physical device consists of a screen that displays a virtual workspace overlying actual pieces of timber. Lines of different colours give numerous indications: how to position the tool, how deep to drill, what the right cutting angle is, how long a cut should be and so on. They enable operators to work in a way that’s both intuitive and precise. “Our system includes a detection mechanism and integrated sensors that give feedback in real time,” says Andrea Settimi. “If the woodworking tool or the beam it’s cutting slips, for example, the virtual overlay will remain aligned with the actual piece of timber so that operators can instantly see how to adjust their movements.”
To achieve such a high degree of precision, the research team studied various aspects of computer-vision technology and painstakingly integrated them into its device so that it could incorporate the woodworking tool as well as the specific piece of timber and woodworking plan. They scanned and generated 3D
The operator sees the instructions through coloured lines on the screen
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computer models of commonly used tools, creating a vast database. To use the system, operators first scan their timber pieces by lot, enabling the program to record the details of each one. Then the operators place markers randomly on the timber pieces so that the system can detect their orientation and position. The last step is to upload the woodworking plans, which are integrated directly into the program in 3D and displayed in augmented reality.
Thanks to the use of computer vision and sensors, standard woodworking tools can become smart devices capable of guiding users in real time. The system visualizes cutting lines directly on a beam, for instance, showing operators exactly where to guide the saw. This significantly reduces the risk of human error and improves precision during assembly.
Digitally assisted, manual construction methods that are local and resilient
Recognising beams and tools in cluttered workshops
A key part of the research project was to develop advanced computer vision methods for detecting items and positioning the camera in complex, cluttered spaces like workshops. These spaces generally contain various types of objects – other pieces of wood, tools, panels, etc. – scattered about in no particular order, making it hard for computer vision systems to map the environment. The research team worked with EPFL’s Centre for Imaging to develop programs that could accurately recognise and locate the items of interest – in this case, woodworking tools and timber pieces. Such capabilities have never been implemented at this scale for timber construction and are essential for making sure the virtual workspace aligns with the physical reality.
Thanks to Augmented Carpentry, even small businesses and woodworkers can create intricate shapes and designs – a task until now reserved for costly robots. “Another benefit of our AR system is that it takes advantage of human capabilities, even when operators have little training, to quickly digitise construction processes,” adds Andrea Settimi. Human dexterity and cognition are enhanced by machine precision, in a good example of a hybrid approach. “By leveraging the potential of human-machine collaboration for modern carpentry and the design of timber structures, Augmented Carpentry can ensure human operators remain involved in the process, thus promoting construction methods that are digitally assisted, local and socially responsible.”
TTUK kindly thanks EPFL Science Editor Cécilia Carron for material and images for this article.
More at www.epfl.ch/labs/ibois
Operators place markers randomly on the timber pieces so that the system can detect their orientation and position
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The timber supply chain is long and complex, taking material from the forest to primary processors, product manufacturers, merchants and end users. Entries can be an individual, small business or group supplier that have worked on a specific project or a multiple site scheme, large and small scale, both in footprint, scope and budget.
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