Search Results: 'Bank of England'

From tropical surge to slowdown?
22 December, 2022
After a strong start to 2022, deteriorating market conditions threaten to slow the UK tropical timber trade. That’s according to latest reports from Rupert Oliver of Forest Industries Intelligence (www.forestindustries.info) for the International Tropical Timber Organisation’s market information service (www.itto.int), of which the following is a summary

Clouds on hardwood horizon
20 December, 2022
The outlook in the UK hardwood market is darkening, but the last two profitable years should help insulate businesses from a downturn, say importers. Mike Jeffree reports

Headwinds fail to blow Scotline off course
18 October, 2022
Times may be challenging, but the leading timber and forest products shipper has maintained investment and development. Mike Jeffree reports

Preparing for tougher times
18 October, 2022
Chipboard demand has cooled and the sector is bracing itself for more difficult trading ahead but the situation is far from catastrophic. Keren Fallwell reports

MDF demand slows but sector remains optimistic
24 August, 2022
The MDF market in the UK has slowed but the brakes are being eased on rather than squeezed. Keren Fallwell reports

TTJ Softwood Update: Low consumer confidence weighs on softwood market
14 July, 2022
The solid softwood market is uncharacteristically quiet for this time of year, and buyers are reluctant to commit to volumes on the forward market while prices are under pressure. Most merchants attribute weakened demand to a collapse of confidence in the retail and DIY market.

Not out of the woods
10 June, 2022
Confor recently warned that the UK faces declining supplies of home-grown wood due to lack of productive tree planting. With the country currently needing to import over 80% of its wood requirement, the UK could be sleepwalking into a timber shortage crisis in the not too distant future. Stuart Goodall, Confor chief executive, examines the threats to supply and why the UK must urgently move productive tree planting up the agenda

Strategy for growth
10 June, 2022
The Archwood Group has initiated a new three-year strategy for growth for its leading Richard Burbidge, Atkinson & Kirby and Masons Timber brands. Stephen Powney reports from the Group’s base in North Wales

Demand stable but challenges at every turn
10 June, 2022
UK traders are generally happy with demand for plywood and OSB but the war in Ukraine, the economy and Covid are causing pressures and uncertainties. Keren Fallwell reports

High stocks and war in Ukraine fuel uncertainty
10 June, 2022
Softwood markets have been slow to start this year as many importers are still smarting from the aftermath of high stock levels and an uncertain market. Traders have noticed a significant weakness in the DIY sector, which they put down to the sharp rise in the cost of living, while in contrast, the major developers are still witnessing high demand as the property market remains firm. Logistics costs are rising, and embargoes following the invasion of Ukraine are being felt along the supply chain. Jerry Wilson reports

Stewart Milne Homes up for sale
21 April, 2022
Stewart Milne Group is embarking on a sale process of its housebuilding business, following the decision of its founder and principal shareholder to retire.

Healthy Demand Meets Supply Stress
08 April, 2022
UK hardwood sales may be ‘normalising’, but importers say the challenge ahead will be getting hold of timber. Mike Jeffree reports