The merger had been in discussion for some time, with André de Boer already taking the role of secretary-general for both organisations and back office functions being shared.

The final matter under discussion, the detail of how separate divisions in the united operation would represent the specific interests of ETTF’s importer members and FEBO’s merchant/traders, was resolved at a FEBO general meeting in December.

The new merged organisation has 18 members across the EU and Nordic countries. It also has an associate membership comprising companies in Morocco and Norway and the European Federation of Parquet Importers.

Mr de Boer said that the union would make the European industry more cohesive.

(For more details see the next issue of TTJ)