South East traders back new association
27 September 2017Timber traders have backed the newly reformed London & South East Timber Trade Association with a strong turnout at its first meeting in Tunbridge Wells on September 26.
Representatives from the softwood, hardwood and panels sector attended along with merchants, the fencing sector and others at the event at the Royal Wells Inn.
Gerald Lenanton of QP Timber welcomed attendees and urged them to consider becoming members of the association, which aims to hold two or three meetings a year, an annual summer social event, as well as education and training sessions.
Timber Trade Federation (TTF) managing director David Hopkins, speaking at the event, told attendees that the new-look TTF believed in de-centralisation and local traders using TTF resources to make a difference in their areas.
“There’s this perception that all these decisions get taken in London and nobody else has anything to do with them,” he said. “This is not true.”
He urged non-members to join the TTF, outlining the benefits and resources of the federation to help their businesses, as well as TTF plans for the year ahead, which includes an emphasis on promoting members to customer groups.
A market discussion on current softwood, hardwood and panels trading conditions also took place.
