The New Brunswick Forest Products Association was at Timber Expo to try to re-establish connections with the UK market.
The Canadian organisation represents 40 companies, covering softwood and hardwood producers and pulp and paper firms.
Two members exhibiting on the stand were Delco, a family-run sawmill, and Marwood, whose Cape Cod cladding is already available in the UK through Vincent Timber. The company also produces softwood lumber, decking, fencing, cladding and garden buildings.
The association’s president and CEO, Mark Arsenault, said that the exchange rate and shipping costs made exporting structural lumber to the UK “a challenge”, but there were opportunities for value-added and speciality products.
“Sawmills in New Brunswick are generally family run so we’re looking to establish something that’s a little more stable and long term, and the UK is a good place to do that,” he said.
“We’ve made some good business contacts and we hope to be back next year with a larger delegation.”
Mr Arsenault said the show had also provided him with valuable information on CE marking and certification requirements for the UK market.
