OSB campaign calls time

16 January 2015


OSB industry promotional campaign JOSB Done is calling time after nine years of championing the use of the wood based panel.

The last promotional activities in January will be the release of two videos of OSB's uses and the trade's thoughts on the product.

Manufacturers Norbord and SmartPly and resin supplier Huntsman started the campaign in 2005, with endorsement from the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF).

It tried various tactics to get its message across including exhibition stands, merchant breakfast mornings, Apprentice of the Year competitions, tank driving days, case studies and a partnership last year with London design studio Material Lab.

"From the beginning, we have set out to challenge entrenched attitudes and misconceptions about OSB's properties and applications, as too many tradesmen believe it's not up to the same job as ply, which simply is not the case," said Alastair Kerr, WPIF director general.

He said increased use of OSB was noticeable for a plethora of projects.

"Plywood has traditionally had a strong hold on the market but through product development and marketing by OSB producers, the balance of use in many applications is changing in favour of OSB," he added. Be the end of an era

"It's fantastic to see how far we have come and how the timber panel landscape has changed over the past nine years and whilst it may be the end of an era, we want to thank everyone who has been a part of the campaign as it's been a job done very well indeed."

JOSB Done at the former Interbuild show in 2008.