European timber groups join forces

Two of Europe’s foremost timber industry organisations have taken a step forward in realising their ambition of achieving greater co-operation.

The European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) and the European Timber Trade Association (FEBO) have combined their annual members’ meeting for the first time.

ETTF has traditionally focused on timber imports, while FEBO has been active on the European regional trade front. Over the years, these differences have narrowed and the organisations have worked more closely together.

“The most important reason for ETTF and FEBO to join forces lies in their wish to create a single powerful voice for the timber trade in Europe,” they said in a statement.

The European Federation of Parquet Importers (EFPI) has enthusiastically backed the move for this single powerful industry voice.

At a recent meeting ETTF chairman Andreas von Möller, FEBO chairman John White, and EFPI chairman Jürgen Früchtenicht had high expectations for their joint working.

“This co-operaton forms the basis for a well-organised Eurpean timber and parquet trade,” they said. “United we will tackle the challenges that lie ahead, like the implementation of the imminent European regulation against the trade in illegal timber.”