Industry insight - Page 2
Stay up to date with the latest industry insight features from the global timber industryBob’s your warm roof uncle Housebuilders face poor thermal performance at the eaves detail of most trussed rafter roofs. But Pasquill design manager Tim Tasker says there’s a ready solution worth trying.
A tipping point for cedar shingles? The use of Western red cedar shingles only accounts for about half of one per cent of the total number of installations in the UK’s pitched roofi ng market, according to John Brash & Co Ltd
Floors system market expands Increased levels of housebuilding has meant bigger volumes for engineered wood fl oor systems providers, reports Stephen Powney.
Getting smarter Off-site manufactured insulated roofing system Smartroof is expanding to meet growing demand
Cladding market grows The UK cladding market continues to grow assuredly and Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA) members are responding by introducing exciting new products to offer increased choice to industry professionals and consumers, writes TDCA director of operations Janet Sycamore
Tackling skills shortages The Confederation of Timber Industries has joined with Proskills to conduct what is billed as the largest-ever skills survey in the timber sector, says Dirk Vennix, CTI chief executive
Wood Inspirations The range of projects specifying timber cladding appears to be growing. Stephen Powney reports
The year of offsite? Offsite construction is an evolving and growing build method being used within the UK. Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of the Structural Timber Association discusses the current state of play for offsite construction, and the positive outlook it brings for 2016
Shaping the future of offsite With the government setting a target of 400,000 new homes by 2020, Alex Goodfellow, group managing director of Stewart Milne Timber Systems, considers how offsite manufacture could help
Eco construct Ecobuild, the UK’s largest show dedicated to sustainable construction and energy, returns in March with an increased and in-depth focus on the latest industry trends, challenges and opportunities
Raising up an army New leader of the UK Timber Trade Federation (TTF) David Hopkins want to mobilise the ranks of the timber industry to more effectively grow the market for wood. He talked to Stephen Powney
Bird takes the helm In this ports update we take a look at The Humber region. Simon Bird has recently taken over the reins as Associated British Ports’ director of its Humber operations. We asked him for his thoughts
Looking back In this brief article Arvid Nielsen, having sought some recollections from his father, recalls the days when Kingston upon Hull was one of the busiest and most important timber ports in Europe
2016 Predictions The New Year is here, but what will it bring? As TTJ went to press the pound was moving nearer to €1.30 - a mark last reached nearly a year ago and which may give optimism for UK sawmillers. UK GDP is tipped to increase by around 2.4%, the construction industry is widely tipped to have a good year and research shows merchants are optimistic after profits growth in 2015. Here, we ask several industry figures for their 2016 expectations.
Post recovery softwood sets sights high The softwood industry is still shaking off recession in some areas, but sees major market possibilities ahead. Those were central conclusions from a dynamic International Softwood Conference. Mike Jeffree reports from Amsterdam
Compulsory E1 in Europe - a defence Clive Pinnington, the new, and first, managing director of the European Panel Federation, finds that not all publicity is good publicity – especially when it comes via a TV news programme that promoted alarmist views on emissions from wood products
The appliance of science The International Panel Products Symposium in Wales is always an opportunity to hear about how science and research is helping to improve products in the panel industry. Mike Botting, editor of TTJ sister title Wood Based Panels International, was there to bring this report
360 Safety The Fork Lift Truck Association is driving safety standards for forklift use and its National Fork Lift Safety Conference was a chance to share best practice and case studies for users.
Rise of the Robots Robotics will play an ever more critical role in manufacturing and product handling, says Andrew Matthews, production director, at multi-faceted timber products supplier National Hickman.