TTF chief executive John White hailed the news and predicted membership would increase this year from the current total of 160.
“I am delighted Crown has rejoined The Federation,” he said. “ This is an excellent company and the vote of confidence Stuart [McIntyre, Crown Timber chief executive] has given the TTF is a powerful sign we are doing the right thing and a real boost to the team.”
Crown withdrew from TTF membership at the end of 2004.
“We have been encouraged by developments within the TTF since we were last in membership and are looking forward to working with John and his team, and to using their expertise to help support our own development,” said Mt McIntyre.
Mr White said the TTF had consolidated during the past two years and now had a clear business plan for the future. The membership drive will include mailshots and face-to-face meetings with companies.
“You never stop trying to recruit but we have not put a lot of emphasis on that in the past two years. We wanted to put things in place to make the federation attractive to join.”
“With a series of notable lobbying successes on environmental and technical issues under the belt, we are now asking the industry to step up to the plate and support its trade body in taking the industry to the next level.”
Mr White said most major timber companies were members but he would like to see more smaller traders join.