Search Results: 'PEFC UK'

Taking a breath of French flair
10 June, 2006
It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. Three days in sunny Nantes for the Carrefour international timber show, with nothing to survive on but French cuisine. It was gruelling, but we struggled through. But seriously, it was a successful event, with exhibitor numbers up, attendance ahead of target and international visitors increasing to 15% of the total. It was also instructive to compare timber business trends either side of the Channel and see how our neighbours are tackling the challenges facing the global industry and working to develop the market for wood. The French and their foreign suppliers are, of course, also faced with rising prices and supply shortages. One importer spoke of the difficulties of persuading customers to pay more for forward purchases. Another international hardwood name appealed to others to build up stocks rather than rely on a few big players keeping their warehouses packed to the rafters with expensive timber. Certification is also an issue in the French market, but exhibitors said it was less of a concern for consumers and specifiers than in the UK. And in France the profile of the certification schemes is very different, with the PEFC rather than the FSC being easily the most prominent. As in the UK, the timber construction market is seen as the big opportunity and, in France, it’s boosted not only by the industry’s own generic promotional campaign, Le bois c’est essential, but also specific government action to encourage builders to use more wood. Reflecting demand trends, Carrefour for the first time had a dedicated timber building products section targeting construction professionals. Timber frame, glulam, LVL and panel building systems were also prominent elsewhere in the show. And, buoyed by their success at home, the building products specialists said they were also now looking to spread their net further afield, notably to capitalise on the growing appetite for timber-based construction in the UK.

Raising timber's sustainability profile
01 April, 2006
James Latham recently sponsored Homes for Good, a major sustainable home show in Taunton which showed how buildings can be designed, built, decorated and furnished in a sustainable way. Rawnsley Timber, a home-grown sawmill with FSC accreditation, was also present.

Industry must meet demand for certified timber
18 March, 2006