Sawmillers Unite with CONFOR to champion UK Timber

BSW Timber, James Jones & Sons and Glennon Brothers are establishing a partnership to promote UK timber and reduce reliance on imported materials.

Backed by leading trade bodies CONFOR (Confederation of Forest Industries) and Timber Development UK (TDUK), the initiative is a call to action for a more sustainable future for the UK construction sector.

This collaboration supports the UK Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap and aligns with national goals for decarbonisation, economic growth, and forestry expansion.

The joint campaign lays out a clear strategy for progress:

• GROW: Increase tree planting, and replanting, to ensure the growth of productive woodlands in the UK, securing future timber supply and boosting carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and air and water quality.
• MANUFACTURE: Capitalise on advanced harvesting and sawmilling technology to maximise the value of UK timber, helping to sustainably decarbonise the construction sector.
• SPECIFY: Encourage architects, engineers, and contractors to specify C16 timber more frequently, reducing dependency on higher-carbon materials like concrete, steel and imported alternatives.
• BUILD: Leverage the full capabilities of C16 timber across construction, delivering cost-effective, sustainable solutions that also support the economy and rural employment.

Mary Creagh CBE, Minister for Nature, said: “Our Plan for Change is focussed on creating new, green jobs, planting more trees, increasing access to nature and reducing carbon emissions. We currently import 80% of the timber we use and that needs to change.

“Our Timber in Construction Roadmap and the C16 campaign will boost the use of UK timber to help build the homes and schools we need faster and more sustainably.”