TDUK and WPA in new Affiliation Agreement

28 July 2022


A new Affiliation Agreement between Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Wood Protection Association (WPA) has set the template for further consolidation of the timber industry, helping to drive the mass adoption of timber as a sustainable construction solution.

TDUK has been formed from a merger between the Timber Trade Federation (TFF) and the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), creating the largest, most comprehensive supply chain body in the UK. TDUK now spans more than 1,500 member businesses representing everything from sawmill to specifier.

The WPA is the UK authority on wood protection and plays a lead role in influencing, developing and promoting technologies that enhance the performance and value of wood as a building material.

Under the Affiliation Agreement, TDUK and WPA will continue to operate as independent membership organisations, but WPA will act as the TDUK’s centre of expertise on flame-retardant treatments, wood modification and preservation – providing the essential technical, quality assurance and support services under a united strategy to grow demand for added value treated timber products that can be trusted.

The TDUK Affiliation Agreement with WPA is part of a bigger mission to align all wood and timber technical specification information under one roof. In so doing, TDUK aims to empower architects, designers, specifiers and engineers with the knowledge and confidence they need to use wood in their projects.

“This affiliation agreement formalises what is already a very good working relationship,” said Dave Hopkins, TDUK chief executive officer. “WPA provides TDUK with the opportunity to access unrivalled specialist experience, information, data, technical expertise and team resources from another vital part of the timber supply chain. It is another clear example of TDUK’s mission to create the most comprehensive supply chain body in the UK, so we can act as an agent of change toward more sustainable, low-carbon forms of construction.

“WPA and TDUK’s missions are already closely aligned. So, it makes perfect sense to work together to achieve greater impact as timber takes centre stage for the race to net-zero construction.”

“Wood treatments are an integral part of the timber supply chain, so it makes good commercial and technical sense for WPA and TDUK to share our respective capabilities and speak with one voice on treatment related matter,” said Gordon Ewbank, WPA chief executive. “Our agreement to become a TDUK affiliated trade association is a further step in what has been a growing and fruitful partnership in recent years, providing mutual benefits to both associations, our customers and, most importantly, our members”

TDUK will be officially launched later in the year and will have a strong presence at UK Construction Week at the Birmingham NEC in October. Find out more here.

The WPA will act as the TDUK’s centre of expertise on flame-retardant treatments, wood modification and preservation