A government-funded project led by TRADA aims to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the distribution and storage of timber and wood based products.
It is hoped the “Re-engineering the UK forest wood supply chain” project will help meet government targets for more sustainable construction and the 10-year transport plan, and help the UK reduce CO2 emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.
TRADA says each year the UK consumes some 14 million m3 of softwood, hardwood and panels, from a network comprising raw material suppliers, producers, distributors, storage facilities and retailers. Energy used in the transport of construction products increased by about 25% between 1985 and 1995.
Detailed case studies involving companies from across the timber sector will be made, and other industries will come under scrutiny for comparative analysis.
The £155,000 project will then identify and evaluate the benefits of improved supply chain management in relation to cost savings, decreased CO2 emissions and better construction sustainability.
Stephen Riddiough, project manager at TRADA, said: “This comprehensive study will, in time, benefit the timber industry as a whole, its customers and in particular the construction industry.”
Project partners include the Timber Trade Federation, AW Jenkinson, the UK Forest Products Association and the Wood Panel Industries Federation. A half-day workshop/seminar on March 25 at TRADA, High Wycombe, will disseminate project findings to date.
