Timber Trades Journal Online


LATEST NEWS

CollectiveCrunch partners with Oregon State University
01 June, 2023 CollectiveCrunch, creator of an AI-powered platform that enables sustainable forestry at scale, has launched a pilot project with the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Forestry. The collaboration marks CollectiveCrunch’s first forest carbon partnership in the US market, and sets the stage for further growth opportunities for the company.
  • BMF supports global green initiative
    The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is supporting a global initiative, calling for a new approach to sustainability in the built environment.
  • Cowie particleboard plant celebrates 50 years
    A Scottish Timber Products (STP) 50-year reunion dinner was held at the Dunblane Hydro Hotel on May 5, attended by former STP personnel and invited guests including local supporting companies, some in their third generation.

LATEST FEATURES

Builders’ merchants’ timber and joinery January sales drop -14.6% year-on-year
04 April, 2023 The latest figures from the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), published in March, reveal that total value sales by builders’ merchants across Great Britain were up +0.2% in January 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This nominal growth came from inflation as volume sales were down -16.5% while prices rose +19.9%. With an extra trading day this January, like-for-like sales were -4.6% lower.
  • 2023 - Plotting a course through choppy waters
    A relative degree of calm may have returned to UK politics. The economic picture is less than pretty, however, with forecasts for 1.3% shrinkage in GDP over the year. Consequently representatives of timber and related businesses and industry associations asked for their outlook by TTJ see challenges for the sector and its markets through 2023. But, at the same time, they identify opportunities and highlight their plans and projects for making the most of them. Mike Jeffree reports
  • Softwood trade adopts ultra-cautious approach
    The economic backdrop is troubling traders but they are finding their way through and some agents and shippers are reporting more interest for February and March shipments. Jerry Wilson reports

BLOGS

Solving school overcrowding sustainably
14 February, 2023 Prefabricated timber building can meet the UK’s desperate need for more and better school classroom space says Dr Mila Duncheva, business development manager UK & Ireland, Stora Enso Building Solutions
  • Making the training connections
    Having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce across the timber sector has never been more critical and latest developments at the Institute of Carpenters can help deliver it, says its president Geoff Rhodes
  • Confor urges government stability and planting
    Economic headwinds are building for the UK sawmill sector, but Defra now has the resources to make a difference for the industry by stimulating productive tree planting, writes Confederation of Forest Industries chief executive Stuart Goodall
  • World Cup distraction from difficult markets
    The World Cup has kicked off and while we’ll all be hoping for English or Welsh success, the tournament is not necessarily universally being welcomed by all in the business community.
  • Stoical softwood sector in sobering times
    There was no ignoring the grim global economic picture at the 2022 International Softwood Conference, but it also highlighted the sector’s longer term positives. Conference moderator, Fort Builders Merchants director Keith Fryer reports