An internet ‘shop window’ launched by TRADA‘s former head of technical consultancy aims to bring together timber specifiers and suppliers.

Roger Galpin has set up The Wood Shop Ltd to fill a gap in the knowledge of specifiers and architects regarding timber specification.

The on-line directory, www.thewoodshop.biz, displays lists of approved suppliers and a brief description of their products and service, contact details and a link through to their websites.

It is backed up by a consultancy service advising on the correct specification and use of timber, which provides independent ‘Expert Witness’ evidence in the event of disputes.

&#8220The Wood Shop directory was developed with practising architects and other professional specifiers who wanted to specify high quality wood products but did not always know where to get them.”

Roger Galpin, The Wood Shop.

Mr Galpin, who spent 13 years at TRADA, said: “The idea behind the directory was originally developed with input from practising architects and other professional specifiers who wanted to specify high quality wood products but did not always know where to get them.”

He is encouraged by the industry’s response so far and is in the process of adding more suppliers to the self-funded directory, which is linked to the website of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).