A showcase for all the industry
13 July 2013Inevitably it's tempting for businesses to batten down the research and development hatches in tough times. When the going gets rough, sticking with the tried and tested often looks like the lower risk better part of valour. But entries for the TTJ Timber Innovation Award highlight that there are companies still pushing back R&D boundaries, highlighting confidence, not just in their own prospects and technical capabilities, but those of the wider timber industry and market.
In fact, the line-up for the TRADA and Timber Expo-sponsored Award this year was so strong that the judging panel was unable to pick a winner from the initial scrutiny . So five shortlisters are being invited for interview and further, more detailed evaluation. Making life tougher still for the judges, said panel chair TRADA marketing manager Rupert Scott, is the fact that the entries are so diverse, proof that innovation continues across the sector.
It all demonstrates a forward-looking industry with faith in its technical abilities and the potential of its products to take market share from rival materials.
But the TTJ Awards hold up a mirror to an industry continuing to progress across the whole spectrum of modern business practice, regardless of recession.
In the past, it wasn't a sector renowned for its marketing and promotional prowess, but today that's different and, each year, the TTJ Excellence in Marketing Award attracts entries to match the impact and sophistication of promotional campaigns in any industry.
Likewise, timber wasn't famed for its training track record, but through the slump the Career Development Award has shown an industry now investing for the future in the skills and knowledge of its personnel.
The Website of the Year Award flags up that the timber sector is also no slouch when it comes to marketing and selling itself and its products online, and making the most of the range of modern electronic media.
The Achievement in Engineered Timber Award further underlines how the sector is capitalising on wood's potential in ever higherspec applications, while the Environmental Achievement category shows an industry not just devoted to improving its overall eco performance, but building on the renewability and sustainability credentials of timber to ensure its recognition as the construction and manufacturing material for the future.
The Trader of the Year Awards also highlight that companies' dedication to service excellence applies in good times and bad. Fragmentation was once another perceived weakness of the timber industry. But now its various organisations are increasingly pulling together, for instance in the UK trade bodies' Industry Accord, and internationally through such initiatives as the just launched European Wood Promotion project. The Awards also reflect and perhaps help enhance that increasing unity of purpose. Not only do they attract entries from across the industry, they're also backed by sponsors representing pretty much all its different facets. Now they have become even more encompassing of the sector still with the extremely welcome news that the Timber Trade Federation is coming on board as sponsor of the Environmental Achievement Award .
They truly now are the UK timber industry awards; showcasing a business that's dedicated to doing a first-rate job and proud to promote the fact loud and clear.
For more on the TTJ Awards and entry forms go to www.ttjonline.com/ttjawards.
