WPA 2021 Awards and Conference hit the mark

This year’s event was held on September 22-23 and, said WPA CEO Gordon Ewbank, a fantastic time was had by all. He added that after a turbulent year it was heart-warming to finally get back together with colleagues and old friends.

“It was particularly satisfying to be able to celebrate excellence in our sector together in person after such a difficult 18 months. Congratulations to all our winners.

“A big thank you must go to all of the sponsors who stuck with us and continued to support the WPA after several abandoned attempts at staging this live event – the whole process is funded by sponsorship.

"Special thanks also goes to Bond Timber, sponsors of this year's Golf tournament. This year’s competition was particularly strong and, once again, the sun shone. Our WPA Champion Golfer for 2021 was John Freeman”.

The winners of the WPA 2021 Awards were as follows: Wood Protection Project of the Year (sponsored by Wolman): winner Accsys Technologies for the use of its modified wood product Accoya in the design and construction of the Netherlands first ecological school – Basisschool De Verwondering.

Innovation Award (sponsored by Impra): winner TANASOTE, a new oil-based wood preservative, with BPR authorisation, for use as a treatment for the long-term protection of heavy-duty industrial timbers.

Treated Wood Trader of the Year (sponsored by Tanalith): winner Bond Timber. This Award is all about customer service and what differentiates a business from other suppliers.

Treated Wood Campaign Award (sponsored by Koppers and a new award this year): winner BSW Timber. The Award goes to the business that best demonstrates its engagement with the WPA/TTF ‘Make Sure Its 4’ campaign and the use of the communications and training resources.

Lifetime Achievement Award: winners Hamish Macleod and David Law This award is for individuals who have made a significant impact on the wood protection sector over many years and are approaching the end of their career or have recently retired.

Meanwhile, the half-day conference got to grips with the big issues and talking points of the wood protection industry. Guest speakers and their topics were: Dave Hopkins (TDUK) – Leading the move to quality assured treated wood in the UK; Gordon Ewbank (WPA) – Construction product information: culture change in a post Grenfell era; Andy Leitch (Confor) – UK softwood supply and alternative conifer species; Neil Ryan (WPA) – Rising to the challenge of environmental permitting.

As one delegate put it, “All of the presentations were excellent and absolutely relevant to the market right now. Probably the best half day conference I have attended over the last three years, so congratulations to all involved”.

For further information on the 2021 WPA Awards & Conference, please go to WPA or email gordon@thewpa.org.uk