Timber Trades Journal Online

Ghana wood export volume up, but value down

Newly-released Ghana wood product export figures from the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Forestry Commission for January to February 2022 show a 5% increase in export volumes but a decline of over 15% in export earnings compared to the previous year, according to the International Tropical Timber Organisation’s latest market report.

National Timber Group launches management development programme in Scotland

The National Timber Group (NTG) has launched a management development programme to boost career paths within the group’s companies in Scotland.

TTBS AGM held at the RAF Club, Piccadilly

Members of the timber trade gathered for the Timber Trades’ Benevolent Society (TTBS) AGM and lunch on May 5th at the Royal Air Force Club, Piccadilly.

Richard Burbidge chosen for Howdens’ first branded stairparts line
28 June, 2022 Howdens, the UK’s leading trade kitchen and joinery supplier, has chosen Richard Burbidge for its first ever offering of branded stairparts. From mid-June, tradespeople have been able to buy products from Richard Burbidge’s popular Elements stair system at all 778 Howdens depots across the UK.

Allan Brothers awarded ‘Certificate of Quality’ by Guild of Master Craftsmen
Allan Brothers Ltd, reputedly the UK’s oldest wood windows and doors manufacturer, has been awarded membership of the Guild of Master Craftsmen in recognition of its excellence in timber craftsmanship.

BMBI report reveals drop in builders’ merchant volume sales in April
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ value sales fell 0.9% in April 2022 compared to the same month in 2021, the first decline since January 2021.

Lathams Purfleet legend Barry Jarvis retires
On August 31 this year, Lathams bids a fond farewell to Barry Jarvis, redwood warehouse supervisor at its Purfleet depot.

Scottish woodchip biochemical project funding boost
A sustainable startup converting low-value woodchips into high-value biochemicals has secured US$1.7m in an oversubscribed seed round led by London Business School’s Enterprise 100 Club (E100 Club) and ACF Investors.

LATEST FEATURES

Superheroes at work
10 June, 2022 Marlene Cramer from the Centre for Wood Science and Technology highlights the InFutUReWood project, which looks at the reuse of structural timber

ATIBT ever more active at 70
The environmental, economic and social development of the tropical forest industry is more important than ever, says ATIBT. Mike Jeffree reports

Not out of the woods
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

From carbon to circularity
Wood for Good was ahead of the game when it came to promoting the low-carbon benefits of timber. Mike Jeffree reports

Strategy for growth
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

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BLOGS

Fog of war obscures outlook
10 June, 2022 Prospects for the softwood market have never been more difficult to read, writes Sampsa Auvinen, chairman of the board of the Confederation of the European Woodworking Industries (CEI Bois) and board professional

Species diversity key for climate resilience
We must widen our timber diet to ensure future supply, writes Dan Ridley-Ellis, head of the Centre for Wood Science and Technology at Edinburgh Napier University

SVLK Sustainability Credentials Stressed
Indonesia’s development and rebrand of its timber legality assurance system is seen as potentially adding value to FLEGT, writes consultant editor Mike Jeffree

The Bumpy Road to Net Zero
The UK panel industry is in the forefront of decarbonisation, but still faces challenges ahead, writes Wood Panel Industries Federation director-general Alastair Kerr

Trade supply relationships more important than ever after Ukraine conflict threatens stability
No sooner had Covid-19 restrictions dropped then war breaks out in eastern Europe.