A packed UK timber industry dinner at Cambridge University was a sign of “resilience” despite the economic doldrums impacting the timber trade in 2026, Timber Development UK (TDUK) CEO David Hopkins told the event.
The East Anglian Timber Trade Association (EATTA) annual dinner at King’s College on September 23 attracted more than 300 trade representatives in what has become a popular event over its 32-year history.
Mr Hopkins, speaking underneath the magnificent Great Hall hammer-beam roof, acknowledged the continuing difficult trading environment but said dinner attendees were still turning out to functions and demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
He also drew attention to the event’s chosen charity – Maggie’s – which focuses on cancer care and support. The charity, he explained, was a prominent user of structural timber in its buildings, with several centres built using large-scale engineered timber.
The new Maggie’s Centre in Cambridge has been designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects and will feature extensive use of timber. It is expected to be completed in 2028.
Sponsors of the EATTA dinner included Vida Wood UK Ltd (Pre-Dinner Drinks), Altripan UK, Anglo Norden, Forestry Innovation Investment, ellpro, Juha, Lacy & Middlemiss, MDM Timber, Nason Davis, Port of Creeksea, Scotline, Setra, Södra Wood, Taylor Maxwell and TTS Shipping.
Earlier in the day, EATTA market meetings were held to provide an update on different countries:
- Global — Kevin Pankratz, Canfor
- Sweden — Andreas Jonasson, VIDA
- Baltics — Kevin Hayes, AKZ Timber
- Germany — Daniel Laufenberg, Van Roje
- Ireland — Mike Glennon, Glennon Brothers
- Home Grown — David Turnbull, James Jones
- UK Regulatory Matters — Ella Cope and Mathew Burns, Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), Department for Business and Trade
