Features Archive
Archive of features from the global ttj industryFeatures By Date
February 2023
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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
Essential forestry skills for the future
Louise Simpson, executive director of the Institute for Chartered Foresters (ICF), on the first ever degree level forestry apprenticeship scheme
Imports continue to tumble
Latest TDUK stats reveal the impact of good stock levels and weaker market demand on import volumes
Downward trend continues
The latest stats from the BMBI reveal that timber and joinery value sales fell in October
January 2023
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Reliable racking
Founded almost 60 years ago, Thorogood Timber has always believed that everything it does should be focused on quality – and that includes its Stakapal racking
December 2022
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House maker opts for OHRA
Prefabricated timber house manufacturer Ubrankovics turned to OHRA for its storage solutions
Fire protection hots up
Fire retardant wood-based panels are a subject of keen market interest. One FR technology specialist – Zeroignition – recently showed its capabilities to international global producers in Germany. Stephen Powney talked to Martin Dickie of Zeroignition
AHEC unveils certification project
With certified sustainability and legality increasingly a default requirement in the global timber trade, a new approach to certification is evolving in the US. Mike Jeffree reports
The scientific approach
Mike Gorman, sales director of East Yorkshire racking specialist Filstorage, looks at the scientific approach to timber yard design and how this can benefit merchants
FLEGT stakeholders urge continued monitoring
As it reports on its website, www.flegtimm.eu, the EU FLEGT Independent Market Monitor (IMM) has held consultations with industry stakeholders to gauge their views on the value and future of its role tracking timber trade flows from FLEGT VPA partner countries and canvassing market opinion of FLEGT and FLEGT licensing
From tropical surge to slowdown?
After a strong start to 2022, deteriorating market conditions threaten to slow the UK tropical timber trade. That’s according to latest reports from Rupert Oliver of Forest Industries Intelligence (www.forestindustries.info) for the International Tropical Timber Organisation’s market information service (www.itto.int), of which the following is a summary
Driving tropical diversity
Using more lesser known tropical species makes increasing sense from multiple perspectives, says Ecochoice. Mike Jeffree reports
Symposium charts changing markets
Panels manufacturers from across the world gathered in Hamburg for the 12th European Wood-based Panels Symposium, hearing the latest economic forecasts and technical updates for the industry. Stephen Powney was there to bring this report
Your waste could be treasure to schools
Gervais Sawyer says schools are crying out for wood materials
Agent of change
Del credere agent NHG Timber operates globally, with its range including temperate hardwoods and clear softwoods. But it is perhaps particularly known for tropical timber. TTJ asked director Stuart McBride about developments and the role of an agent in this part of its business
Recovering from standards set back
Closing out 2022, Shaun Revill, trading director at SR Timber reflects on the year and what we can expect heading into 2023
Fine tuning forklifts
Robert O’Donoghue, vice-president marketing and solutions for Hyster Europe, explains why considering the operator and the environment are of particular importance when selecting materials handling equipment
Two’s company
This summer saw the launch of two new wood protection products. Sally Spencer reports
Tackling toxicity continues
Ian King, chief operating officer at Zeroignition, explains how innovation has led to a generation of low-toxicity fire retardants and why this should lead to an uptick in the use timber for construction
