TTF members hear upbeat message on future

The event, at the Park Lane Hotel in London on March 4, was held just a week before TTF/BWF merger talks were suspended.

TTF interim CEO David Lennan highlighted how the move to create the new industry body the Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) at the same time as the advent of sustainable building and the low carbon economy was an opportunity to grow the industry and influence decision makers at the highest level.

“We need to create a culture of growth and we have to be at that top table to help the industry grow,” he said. Mr Lennan said the brief for the new CEO of the CTI would be to deliver a transformational agenda to influence at the highest levels. “I think it should be a very memorable year for us all and the shape of things to come.”

TTF president Stephen King said whatever the outcome of TTF/BWF merger discussions were, he said the timber sector would move forward with a new level of influence.

Mr King said the TTF and the timber industry was probably about to enter the most significant period in its history and he was confident that timber would move closer to centre stage as a building material of the future.

“We have had a slightly flat start to the year, but it’s a lot better than a year ago and certainly than two years ago,” added Mr King. He also cited Currencies Direct’s presentation at the Shippers Meeting, in which the euro was predicted to stay at its low level for many months to come.