Features Archive
Archive of features from the global ttj industryFeatures By Date
December 2023
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Construction weakens markets
After two exceptional years, the German sawmill and timber industry is facing challenges. With the domestic construction industry, the most important customer market is in crisis. As a result, companies are reducing production. Julia Möbus, managing director of the German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH), explains the economic development in the industry and gives an outlook for the future
Efficient and compliant
Koppers Performance Chemicals’ Darlington facility now includes part of the company’s research and development function, as well as large-scale production, as plant manager Graeme Jinks explains
High and mighty
Nick Glaves highlights some recently completed jobs that prove the flexibility of cantilever racking
Lavers’ Labours Last
Dan Ridley-Ellis looks back at the work of Gwendoline M Lavers
Past, present and future
In the year that TTJ celebrates its 150th anniversary, materials handling manufacturer Combilift looks at how things have changed over the past century or so when it comes to lifting and moving timber products
Uplifting experience
Forklift manufacturers continue to bring new products and technologies to the market, with HUBTEX no exception. Sally Spencer reports
A year of industry collaboration
The Timber in Construction Group is helping co-ordinate industry input into strategies for driving use of timber in building, writes Structural Timber Association chief executive Andrew Carpenter
Preserving a good reputation
The WPA looks at third party accreditation and why it should matter to timber treaters
Ireland bound
Geoff Rhodes, independent consultant and former long-serving marketing and sales director at MEDITE looks back 40 years to Medford Corporation’s multi-million dollar investment in the Clonmel factory
Sustainable tropical forestry
The BMRC has been formed to underpin international market access and boost the investability of tropical timber producing countries with independently endorsed sustainable forestry systems. Mike Jeffree reports
Interholco into the future
The leading tropical hardwood supplier acknowledges market challenges, but is building for exciting times ahead. Mike Jeffree reports
Lithuania’s First LVL plant opens
VMG Lignum as a part of VMG Group incorporates a wide range of wood product operations in Lithuania and now it has added LVL and I-joist production to its capabilities, reports Stephen Powney
UK tropical wood imports down
After a buoyant couple of years, UK tropical timber imports have trended lower this year, reports Sustainable Wood
The world will need tropical timber
There are challenges for the tropical timber sector, but the future is one of opportunity, says Precious Woods. Mike Jeffree reports
Rising to eco regs challenge
The EU Deforestation Regulation will put the European tropical timber trade to the test, but Vandecasteele sees potential positive outcomes
Ghana FLEGT licensing imminent
Indonesia has been the only FLEGT licence issuing country until now, but it’s reported that Ghana is about to join it. Mike Jeffree reports
Testing for a safer future
As part of the extensive series of regulatory, service and market reviews in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, an Independent Review of the Construction Products Testing Regime was published this summer. In this article, Gordon Ewbank of the Wood Protection Association summarises the key conclusions and implications for the timber sector
Demand slides but traders hopeful
Plywood and OSB sales are the victims of the decline in housebuilding. Although traders are expecting a difficult winter they know eventually the market will turn in their favour. Keren Fallwell reports
Mind the gap
Latest TDUK statistics show the gap between 2023 and 2022 import volumes is closing
Egger announces apprentice intake
EGGER’s apprenticeship induction week included tours, talks and activities