Ash cloud strands timber executives

The flight ban after the Icelandic volcanic eruption played havoc with timber executives’ schedules.

Many were stranded in Dubai after the end of the Dubai Wood Show, including industry consultant Charles Trevor whose return was delayed four days.

“I ended up flying back via Zurich with Alan Messett of Bridgeport Forest Products,” he said.

The Icelandic ash cloud also forced a Malaysian government delegation led by plantation and commodities minister Bernard Dompok to cancel a meeting with UK timber companies on April 23, while Malaysian Timber Council chief executive Cheah Kam Huan was stuck in London

UK representatives from woodworking machinery companies SCM and Biesse, due to attend the Technodomus technology show in Rimini from April 20-24, also found themselves flightless.

SCM UK had planned to take a group of about 100 staff and customers.

“We wanted to show customers the new machinery, so it’s really disappointing,” said a spokesperson.

Irish forklift truck producer Combilift had to host a 130 foreign journalists, distributors and guests for longer than anticipated following its new product press launch.

Coillte Panel Products’ marketing and business development director Geoff Rhodes admits he had a slightly less arduous time of it. He was stuck an extra five days on holiday in Corfu. “We got together with other Brits in the local taverna played table tennis and planned ways to get back,” he said.

Geneviéve Standaert, export manager of Belgian hardwood company Vandecasteele, also had to extend her family holiday in Egypt.

“We were in excellent hands – free food, drinks and accommodation, so I can’t complain, ” she said.