Cambridge dinner sell-out demonstrates confidence

The capacity turnout at this year’s East Anglian Timber Trade Association (EATTA) dinner is proof that optimism is returning to the timber trade.

“Once again the event has been a sell out since July, which must show that there is a degree of confidence coming back into the trade,” said EATTA chairman Peter Hammersley.

Speaking to around 250 guests at The Great Hall, King’s College, Cambridge on September 22, Mr Hammersley said that area associations had a significant role to play in spreading “the correct story of timber” and said that education at university level was the way forward.

“What our members could offer to students who are being trained to work with timber or panel products should be seen as a real benefit,” he said.

The Timber Trade Federation’s (TTF) new president, Martin Gale, was unable to attend the dinner, due to a prior engagement, but, through a letter to guests said The Federation was “in good health and shape”.

Progress included the successful introduction of the EU Due Diligence Regulation “in a form virtually identical to the one we proposed over three years ago”.

He added that TTF chief executive John White had recently had a five-year plan approved by the Federation board that would shortly be revealed and that would “take the organisation on the next stage of its journey as a professional, forward-thinking and respected trade association”.

“Underpinning the plan is the low carbon construction agenda. This is part and parcel of government thinking and part and parcel of the way our customers are shaping their businesses.

“We have to be in there making the case for wood and crucially understanding what our customers want and need from this sector. It’s ambitious, but with your support, achievable.”

A charity draw at the dinner raised £1,130, to be split equally between the TTBS and an Alzheimer charity which is training dogs to assist sufferers.