The event, held at Loughborough University, focused on preparing companies for growth through a series of workshops and debate with expert speakers on topics ranging from the construction economy to technical joinery issues.
The BWF said those sessions provided pertinent advice, but also stirred some controversy. Members slammed PEFC and FSC for failing to recognise each other’s certification, although both organisations pledged to work more closely in the UK.
The British Board of Agrément and BRE outlined the urgency to link up with a Green Deal provider to take advantage of joinery business opportunities.
Simon Storer, director of the Construction Products Association, said that while there was a gloomy outlook for growth with construction output down 2.8% this year and none expected until 2015, there was £100bn of construction spend this year and a growing housing market.
Keynote speaker architect Adam Khan spoke on the emotive properties of timber when specifying wood over other products. He said knowledge of timber was limited in the wider construction industry, especially in storage, timber properties and behaviour crucial to the aesthetics and longevity of wood in building projects.
