The Interbuild exhibition and Timber Zone element within the show were reduced in size this year, but TRADA reported a good level of interest in wood products.
Official visitor figures for the UK’s biggest building products show are not expected to be released for several weeks by Interbuild organisers Emap Construct, but the numbers will be less than last year’s 44,061, while exhibitor numbers fell 36% to nearly 700 from 1,100 in 2007. Next year’s event will shorten to four days.
TRADA, which has helped co-ordinate the Timber Zone with Emap during the past three years, reported good quality visitors to its stand, including those thinking about using timber in construction for the first time.
Some 500 people were scanned on the stand, while more than 100 attended its reception.
“From our point of view it was somewhat better than I had expected given the economic climate” said Jeremy Vibert, TRADA’s head of marketing and information services. But he was surprised by reduced visitor numbers, describing a couple of show days as “quiet”.
Mr Vibert said green oak construction and the Code for Sustainable Homes were the most popular seminars in the TRADA seminar theatre, with people “standing in the aisles”, though some seminar sessions featured fewer people than 2007.
The number of German timber companies and timber frame manufacturers was reduced this year, while Steico and Masonite were the only I-joist manufacturers present.
Elements Europe scooped the Offsite Solutions New Product Award for its Ty Unnos affordable housing solution made using engineered low-grade Welsh timber.
