UK forest industry leaders went on a fact finding mission to Finland in January.

Members of the board of the Forest Industries Development Council (FIDC) and the Forestry Commission were hosted by the Finnish Forest Association on a three day tour of the country’s forestry and processing industries.

The tour included visits to small family forest owners, a Finnforest laminated veneer lumber plant, the world’s largest bioenergy plant, the Sibelius Concert Hall and a trip to see the sensitive management of the native forests of Lapland.

FIDC chairman Alan Bloomfield described the visit as “inspirational”. He said: “Not only were we able to stengthen our links with the Finnish forestry sector but to see at first hand the sheer scale and sophistication of Finland’s forest industry.

&#8220Not only were we able to stengthen our links with the Finnish forestry sector but to see at first hand the sheer scale and sophistication of Finland’s forest industry.”

FIDC chairman Alan Bloomfield.

“The theme of the visit was linked to FIDC’s objectives to increase UK competitiveness along the supply chain and to growing the market for wood. All of us learned a great deal and our future actions will be influenced by what we saw there.”