New names on TTJ Awards roll of honour

James Latham plc has taken its fifth Timber Trader of the Year title in the 14-year history of the TTJ Awards, but this year’s competition also produced some first-time winners.

Latham’s previously won the Weinig-sponsored top prize, which goes to the company scoring most votes overall, in 2000, 2002, 2004 and, the last time, in 2008. The company’s latest trophy was accepted by executive director Chris Sutton from Awards host and guest speaker Karren Brady at the ceremony in London on Thursday.

One of the first-time winners was Brooks Bros (UK), Maldon, which took the Hardwood Trader of the Year Award, sponsored by Progressive Solutions.

RKL Plywood and Morgan Timber also made their TTJ Awards winner’s debut, named respectively Plywood Trader of the Year, sponsored by W?Howard, and Small Timber Business of the Year, sponsored by Proskills.

RKL Plywood was also joint winner with Montague L Meyer (Barking) of the Coillte Panels Products-sponsored Panels Trader of the Year Award.

The Softwood Trader of the Year Award, sponsored by Arch Timber Protection, went to Arbor Forest Products Ltd, New Holland.

According to TTJ editor Mike Jeffree, all the Awards categories were highly competitive, but perhaps the most closely contested was Career Development, sponsored by SCA. Here the under-25 winner was Kenny Macfarlane of Clive Durose Woodturners Ltd, while the over-25 prize went to Alison Murphy of Wolseley UK – Build Center.

The Excellence in Marketing Award, sponsored by Combilift, was won by Norway-based modified wood producer Kebony for its UK launch PR campaign.

The Achievement in Engineered Timber title, sponsored by Osmose, went to Pasquill for providing products and technical advice to the Nottingham University H.O.U.S.E.

A new Awards category this year was Market Development, devised by sponsor TRADA, recognising companies which extend the market for timber and wood products. The inaugural winner was international structural engineer Ramboll for its work persuading construction clients to opt for timber and engineered wood solutions in preference to steel and concrete.

The Achievement in Sustainability Award, sponsored by Ecobuild, went to The Forest Trust and Premier Forest Products for bringing the first 100% legally-verified Chinese plywood to the UK.

The Awards ceremony was attended by over 360 people.

A full report and photos follow in the next issue of TTJ.