STA launches and calls for increase in timber construction

The organisation, formerly the UK Timber Frame Association, estimates the target would save 43,200 tonnes of CO2 over five years.

"In Scotland 72% of all new homes are built using timber and the country has already embraced it for the benefits it brings in terms of cost, environment and time saving," said chairman Lawrence Young. "The newly emerged STA will lead the way in promoting the wider use of timber across the UK as a whole and believes the industry will support us in achieving a step-change for our sector."

The organisation will continue to promote structural timber products and systems but, in recognition of its growing membership that encompasses producers, users and specifiers, the STA's remit is broader and represents not just timber frame, but all users of structural timber products, including CLT, SIPs and glulam. Major players in structural timber have recently joined the association, including KLH and B&K Structures. The latter's managing director, Nick Milestone, has joined the STA board, and has responsibility for quality and membership.

"The timber construction industry is now driven by intelligent and integrated hybrid solutions and our association stands for much more than 'timber frame', which is why our rebrand is a strengthening of our brand," said Mr Young.

He added that the new organisation would not only be customer facing, but also engage with the supply chain, highlighting that Timber Trade Federation chief executive John White was among the speakers at the STA launch event.

"It is time for us all to work together in a much more integrated way as genuine partners to ensure that timber forms a big part of the UK's structural future," he said."That includes supporting the Wood for Good campaign and the Grown in Britain initiative for unlocking this country's huge potential at forestry level."

Former UKTFA, now STA chief executive Andrew Carpenter read out a letter from housing minister Mark Prisk welcoming the formation of the new Association.

"He sees offsite construction, for which timber provides ideal solutions, as key to the future of the UK building industry and is asking for all sectors to provide case studies and exemplars of offsite manufacturing techniques," he said. "It's a major opportunity for us."

The STA has also launched a website, www.structuraltimber.co.uk, and twitter page, @STAtimber.