Timber zones in

Britain’s biggest building products show, Interbuild is about to kick off. Whether its construction systems, windows, cladding, flooring, solar panels or even a cordless drill, the event at Birmingham NEC (October 28-November 1) has established itself as the central focus for builders, architects and specifiers looking for materials and services.

And organiser Emap has just confirmed that Interbuild will now become an annual event.

“Following our return of the event to its traditional autumn dates, a restored focus on the professional builder and significant investment in marketing initiatives to support the show, we have seen a very encouraging response from the trade,” said James Gower, who has been appointed event director from 2008.

Stand space is 93% sold out, with more than 800 exhibitor companies confirmed.

The TRADA-sponsored Timber Zone (see panel) features more than 60 companies, an increase of 50% on last year’s event.

Timber company exhibitor EcoChoice is approaching this year’s Interbuild with more focus.

“Last year we used Interbuild to launch our company into the UK market,” said EcoChoice director Mike Bekin. “The expectation was to get feedback, contacts and direction from the market since it’s the biggest trade show for the construction industry.

“This year we’re approaching the show with more focus. We’ll showcase our innovative cladding and decking solutions and hope to generate some business quicker.”

Fraser Steele, managing director of Glenalmond Timber, said the company rebooked this year because of the Timber Zone.

“The quality of the leads were excellent and being close to the TRADA seminars meant that visitors to our stand already had a good understanding of structural timber and related products.

“The Timber Zone really focuses the attention on timber and in an exhibition as big as Interbuild, it’s the only way smaller companies like ourselves don’t get lost in the crowd.”

For more details see www.interbuild.com