Several times at trade events I’ve heard the TTJ Awards referred to as the Timber Industry Awards. The first time, I must admit, I was a bit put out. I nearly stood up to correct the speaker with an offended; “excuse me, but they’re our Awards!”. However, on reflection I realised it was actually quite a compliment.
The Awards are now in their 10th year and have become a key fixture in the UK timber trade calendar. The fact that some people are renaming them highlights, to coin a cliché, that the industry is ‘taking ownership’ of the event, which is great.
Last year the Awards presentations attracted a record audience. But we topped that this year with a total of 318 people gathering at The Savoy Hotel in London. Though we say so ourselves, the day had a real buzz about it and William Hague MP was a hit as host and guest speaker.
The top Timber Trader of the Year Award went to Montague L Meyer, which also won Panels Trader of the Year. And the new Environmental Achievement Award went to SCA Timber Supply for its impressive programme for guiding customers, from merchants to manufacturers, through the intricacies of chain of custody certification.
Another change this year was the replacement of the Trainee of the Year with the Career Development Award, a move designed to recognise the efforts of older employees who have undertaken some form of further training, as well as newcomers to the business. The winner, who received a tremendous reception from the audience, was 25-year-old Paul Dennis of MDM Timber.
We have to acknowledge, of course, that TTJ runs the Awards as a commercial venture, but they also have a wider purpose: to reflect the fact that this is a major industry which is not only delivering good products, backed by great service and skillful marketing, but is also looking to the future with investment in training, environmental performance and technical support for customers.
Other industries are not shy about banging their drum and blowing their own trumpet and the timber industry shouldn’t be either.
So for our 10th event in 2006 perhaps we should bow to the inevitable and restyle as the TTJ Timber Industry Awards. Watch this space!
