Balcas takes MDFmouldings up a level

The KOTA "paint no more" mouldings range removes the need to prime and paint during or after installation, saving time and money for both construction companies and building owners.

The fixing process is straightforward too as the range can be pinned or glued into place using a three-step process dubbed "cut, fix and fill". The "fix" is a specially formulated strong hold adhesive, while the "fill" is an acrylic polymer sealant and filler which can be used to fill nail holes if the product is pinned.

KOTA MDF mouldings are said to be scratch and dent resistant and feature a nonchipping finish when compared with traditional paint. They are coated continuously on all faces for a consistent geometry, thereby providing dimensional stability, said Balcas.

KOTA is the result of a collaboration with US-based Eastman Chemical Company and the use of Eastman's patented Cerfis technology. Balcas is now licensed to use this technology and has a production line dedicated to KOTA.

"This is the next generation of mouldings product," said Balcas managing director David Gill. "We carried out a lot of market research with housebuilders and identified a big demand for finished products.

"KOTA is extremely durable and offers housebuilders increased procedural efficiency, which saves them time and money - he doesn't have to 'resequence' the trades or run the risk of getting wet paint on the ceilings.

"And it's a tried and tested technology in the US market and has won innovation awards through Home Depot, so it's not an unknown quantity," he continued.

He added that two major distributors were already lined up to supply KOTA.

Irish mills stand united
Irish sawmillers and panel manufacturers were well represented at Timber Expo thanks to a combined Enterprise Ireland and Coillte stand, which included representation from Murray Timber Products, Glennon Brothers, Graingers Sawmills and Coillte Panel Products.

"The UK market is ever more important to the Irish forest products sector and we're delighted to support our mills in this way," said Richard Lowe, head of sales and marketing at Coillte Forest.

"We're presenting a united front and promoting investment in technology to meet market needs. We need to match Irish capability with opportunity," said Niall Coulston, senior development adviser, construction markets, at Enterprise Ireland.

The stand was constructed from timber supplied by Murray Timber Products and sales director Patrick Murray said the company was pleased to be exhibiting at Timber Expo for the second time.

"The UK is our primary market so it's important to have a presence here," he said. "This show is growing and is all timberrelated, so the visitors are very focused. It's the show to be at."

The cohesive branding on the stand was "pushing Irish timber for the collective good", he said. He added that the market had been better this year than last and that the company's SNR brand had become very well established in the UK.

Canadian companies target UK distribution
The Ontario Wood Products Export Association hosted a stand for its members, one of which, Discovery Dream Homes, was making its first attempt at establishing a distributor base in the UK.

The family business has been manufacturing and building "aspirational" post and beam timber homes in Ontario and North America for the past 10 years and, said vice-president Raymond King, the company is now looking for new markets. "Timber Expo gives us a step out there," he said.

Describing the homes as "more recreational than full-time residential", Mr King said that "one or two buildings per year in the UK would be sustainable".

Fellow exhibitor Erik Bos of wood coatings manufacturer Sansin also saw Timber Expo as a vehicle to build a customer base in the UK.

Sansin, which has been in business since the early 1900s, manufactures water-based wood coatings and stains based on natural ingredients.

"We specialise in very natural looking coatings to support the natural beauty of wood," said Mr Bos. "And our approach is through wood science, working out which is the most appropriate coating for which species."

He added that the company had also developed a film coating for windows and outdoor furniture and that it had become involved in the thermally-treated wood market. "Platowood uses Sansin exclusively," he said.

Sansin supplies into Europe direct from Canada but is looking for distributors in the UK.

Siero enjoys sweet chestnut success
Name a timber product and it's likely that Maderas Siero, from Asturias in northern Spain, produces it in sweet chestnut.

At Timber Expo the familyowned company displayed its vast product range which includes airand kiln-dried sawn timber; solid beams; posts, stakes and fencing; window and door scantlings; flooring; decking; cladding; solid, finger-jointed and sandwich panels; and glulam beams. The Siero Lam division of the company concentrates on plywood products.

"We work in other species, such as oak and beech, but we are the number one producer of sweet chestnut," said managing director Pedro Martinez Garcia.

All Siero's timber, which is FSC or PEFC certified, is from its own forests and other forest owners within a 100km radius of its mill.

The company's main markets are Spain, Portugal and Ireland and it is keen to find outlets in the UK, which Mr Garcia believes appreciates sweet chestnut's qualities. "We picked up some business at the show so we're happy," he said.