“With these awards we celebrate the best timber treaters and products, the innovative and forward-thinking businesses and the dedicated individuals who make our industry great,” said Neil Ryan, WPA director.

As always, the award judges found it difficult to select the category winners as the standard of entries was so high, particularly from the Rising Star nominations.

The finalists for the first two categories were nominated by WPA Benchmark auditors.
WPA Benchmark Treater of the Year – winner: Walford Timber

Shortlisted finalists: M&M Timber; Walford Timber; Woodsafe Timber Protection AB.

With this award the WPA recognises those timber treatment companies that go above and beyond and whose quality processes stand out. 

Walford Timber was one of the first to achieve WPA Benchmark certification for its preservative treatment facility and has maintained a high standard ever since. It was also one of the first treaters in the UK to embrace incising technology.

WPA Benchmark Best Kept Treatment Plant – winner: Dunster House

Shortlisted finalists: Dunster House; Södra; WJ Group (Rochester).

The award criteria included standards of cleanliness, safety, efficiency and record keeping.

The Dunster House plant is a “pleasure to work around with an excellent layout and has an exceptional conscientious plant operator”, noted the auditor.

Excellence in Training & Development – winner: James Jones & Sons

Shortlisted finalists: James Jones; Koppers Performance Chemicals.

This award celebrates companies who value and nurture their staff by providing opportunities for career, skills and workplace development.

James Jones has created a working environment where everyone can reach their full potential – offering rich opportunities for learning, irrespective of whether colleagues have been in their role six months or 20 years.  

Product or Services Innovation – winner: Woodsafe Timber Protection AB

Shortlisted finalists: Glenalmond Timber (Abodo Vulcan shingles); Postsaver (post wraps); Woodsafe Timber Protection AB (research and testing facility).

The award recognises innovative products, services or new business processes which have improved standards of performance, environmental and regulatory requirements or increased sales opportunities. 

Woodsafe won this award for its new €2m flame retardant testing and development facility – which will enhance the wood industry’s ability to develop sustainable timber products and system solutions against fire and climate impact.

Rising Star Award – winner: Chloe Bersey

Shortlisted finalists: (from Bond Timber) Flo Wickham and Chloe Bersey; (from BSW Timber) Niall Spence; (from Koppers) Josh Horsley.

This award celebrates individuals who have shown exceptional promise and whose dedication and hard work has made a real difference to the WPA member organisation they work for. 

Ms Bersey has already “shown an outstanding ability to identify practical improvements and diligently work towards implementing them”. At the age of 17 she was one of the youngest to achieve the Treat Right Plant Operator Training Part 2 certificate and can operate the treatment plant facilities with confidence.

Treated Wood Project of the Year – winner: Boardwalk in County Mayo, timber supplied by WJ Group (DeckWright)

Any construction or landscaping project in the UK or overseas, that utilises wood treated with a preservative, a flame retardant or wood modification process can enter the award.  

Shortlisted Projects:

  • Residential extension in Sussex – coated Abodo Vulcan cladding supplied by Glenalmond Timber
  • St Mary’s Primary School in Derby clad in flame retardant treated Cedar supplied by WJ Group
  • Vertikal Nydalen – an 18-storey building in Norway clad in flame retardant treated Thermowood-D supplied by Woodsafe
  • Preservative treated boardwalk in County Mayo – anti-slip boards supplied by WJ Group (DeckWright)

The winning project, which uses 13,000 linear metres of preservative treated anti-slip deck boards, showcases how versatile and practical treated timber can be – and that correctly specified timber can be used in any area with challenging weather conditions.