Editorial Opinion - Page 2
Stay up to date with the latest Editorial Opinion updates from the global timber industry
Putting timber on the map
On the front cover of this issue is the timber-resplendent Hastings Pier, a worthy winner of this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize – UK architecture’s highest award. It really is a fantastic project and is great advert for the use of timber.
On the front cover of this issue is the timber-resplendent Hastings Pier, a worthy winner of this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize – UK architecture’s highest award. It really is a fantastic project and is great advert for the use of timber.
Tight supplies and rising prices
Timber prices and availability continue to be a major talking point in the UK timber trade.
Timber prices and availability continue to be a major talking point in the UK timber trade.
All eyes on off-site
On the last day of August a report was released by the London Assembly which, because of its timing during the summer holidays, may have gone relatively unnoticed.
On the last day of August a report was released by the London Assembly which, because of its timing during the summer holidays, may have gone relatively unnoticed.
EUTR remains important post-Brexit
The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) wasn’t universally welcomed when introduced in 2013. Some in the trade saw it as unwarranted interference, a replication of the due diligence they already undertook to keep illegal wood out of their supply chains. The only difference, they said, was that it now came wrapped in Brussels red tape.
The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) wasn’t universally welcomed when introduced in 2013. Some in the trade saw it as unwarranted interference, a replication of the due diligence they already undertook to keep illegal wood out of their supply chains. The only difference, they said, was that it now came wrapped in Brussels red tape.
Smart Technology
Technology is all around us and making changes to the way we live.
Technology is all around us and making changes to the way we live.
US lumber duties to have far reaching effect
Donald Trump is certainly making his mark on the world during his first six months in office.
Donald Trump is certainly making his mark on the world during his first six months in office.
Going to machinery heaven
Our front page in this issue is given over to the Ligna exhibition in Hanover.
Our front page in this issue is given over to the Ligna exhibition in Hanover.
Plywood issue tackled head on
There have been grumblings in the UK timber trade for many years about the quality of some of the hardwood plywood imported.
There have been grumblings in the UK timber trade for many years about the quality of some of the hardwood plywood imported.
Consolidation to increase in timber sector
I was sat in the Mayfair offices of new Timbmet owner The Hadleigh Timber Group recently asking its chairman Martyn Meade how he saw the future of the UK timber products industry.
I was sat in the Mayfair offices of new Timbmet owner The Hadleigh Timber Group recently asking its chairman Martyn Meade how he saw the future of the UK timber products industry.
New Year, fresh perspectives
Looking out of my rear house windows over Christmas it was impossible to get away from wood, which of course is not a bad thing.
Looking out of my rear house windows over Christmas it was impossible to get away from wood, which of course is not a bad thing.
Speaking with one voice
The timber industry has been talking for years about coming together on the big issues that matter to the trade and speaking with a single powerful voice. It has always been a difficult proposition compared to some competitor material sectors because of the diversity and breadth of the timber supply chain and the sheer number of its representational bodies.
The timber industry has been talking for years about coming together on the big issues that matter to the trade and speaking with a single powerful voice. It has always been a difficult proposition compared to some competitor material sectors because of the diversity and breadth of the timber supply chain and the sheer number of its representational bodies.
UK mills on investment trail
There have been several different announcements on the UK mill scene these last few weeks.
There have been several different announcements on the UK mill scene these last few weeks.
Getting a clearer picture
It is now nearly two months from the UK’s Brexit vote. While the market picture and prospects are not wholly clear, we are getting more signs of how the market is reacting. When Travis Perkins, one of the UK’s biggest sellers of wood, publishes its quarterly results, there are always some good pointers.
It is now nearly two months from the UK’s Brexit vote. While the market picture and prospects are not wholly clear, we are getting more signs of how the market is reacting. When Travis Perkins, one of the UK’s biggest sellers of wood, publishes its quarterly results, there are always some good pointers.
That’s democracy!
Well it happened. Whatever way you voted in the EU referendum we now face undeniably one of the biggest periods of change ever in the UK. That’s democracy!
Well it happened. Whatever way you voted in the EU referendum we now face undeniably one of the biggest periods of change ever in the UK. That’s democracy!
Unchartered political waters
In just a few days we’ll know the result of the UK’s referendum on EU membership.
In just a few days we’ll know the result of the UK’s referendum on EU membership.
FLEGT licensing a step nearer
It’s been a long time waiting but finally it looks like we will be shortly seeing the first FLEGT licensed timber exports coming to the UK.
It’s been a long time waiting but finally it looks like we will be shortly seeing the first FLEGT licensed timber exports coming to the UK.
Reaching for the skies
You know that times are changing when people start talking seriously about building city skyscrapers using wood.
You know that times are changing when people start talking seriously about building city skyscrapers using wood.
A forensic exercise
find myself surrounded by wood at the moment, literally, as builders start on a major project at home.
find myself surrounded by wood at the moment, literally, as builders start on a major project at home.
Big investments
Investments don't get a lot bigger in the timber trade than the £95m Norbord has just committed to with its Inverness plant.
Investments don't get a lot bigger in the timber trade than the £95m Norbord has just committed to with its Inverness plant.
New Year’s resolutions
I’m generally not one for making new year’s resolutions. It’s usually just a matter of time before they get broken, followed by a sense of disappointment.
I’m generally not one for making new year’s resolutions. It’s usually just a matter of time before they get broken, followed by a sense of disappointment.
