English Woodlands makes its mark

English Woodlands Timber (EWT) went to Ecobuild to “show people who we are” and the exercise paid off, according to the company’s Sarah Farmer.

“We’ve had some deep conversations with people about actual projects,” she said. “They were asking detailed questions and wanted lots of information. They weren’t just window shopping.”

West Sussex-based EWT showed its range of solid British and imported timber, primarily hardwoods, in a display including structural, cladding, decking and joinery timber, with a ‘coffee table’ comprising a sticked log.

“The problem for solid timber is communication and getting customers to understand what they can do with it,” said Ms Farmer. “Engineered wood products are predictable, but timber does its own thing!”

According to director Tom Compton, the company had seen architects, builders and self-builders at the show and another key question they were asking was on sourcing.

“I think the debate has moved on from certification. It’s now about local sourcing and carbon footprint,” he said. “That’s where we have an advantage, with 80% of home-grown material sourced within 40 miles of our mill.”

EWT’s stand was also highly commended in the Timber at Ecobuild Award.