The future of the timber industry is in its own hands, members of the Hants & Dorset Timber Trade Association have heard.
About 150 members at the association’s annual dinner at Bournemouth last week heard president Alan Ediss issue the challenge.
He said the trade had been through a lot in recent decades – huge price increases in the 1970s and 80s and then recession in the 90s with companies going into liquidation.
But now in the 21st century, following the relaunch and revamp of the Timber Trade Federation, the future was in the hands of the industry.
Mr Ediss, managing director of PPS Softwoods in Fareham, added: ‘But the trade is still fun and there are a lot of people in the trade who are great fun.’
TTF President Philip Underwood said there were real trade successes including the Wood. for Good national television advertising.
‘The planning for the campaign’s second year is taking place and I know consideration is being given for extending the TV campaign to other parts of the country,’ he said.
Mr Underwood said the federation was actively involved in lobbying politicians with its timber manifesto, which was particularly important now the election had been called.
He said active engagement of key figures was high on the agenda because it was not enough to just hope they would hear the positive message about wood.
