TTF starts New Year with New Members and New Format

A new action-focused structure and new Timber Trade Federation members mark the start of a significant year for the UK’s timber trading sector with Brexit just two months away. Two new Federations – the American Hardwood Export Council and the Institute of Carpenters – have joined the Timber Trade Federation, alongside four company members: Belarusian Forest Company JSC; Timberlink International; PDS Forest Products, and Composite Prime.
The Federation is also adapting its structure placing added impetus behind market-facing activities to improve opportunities for members and engagement with wood market stakeholders and end-users. The over-arching product committees, TTF’s National Softwood Division, National Panel Products Division and National Hardwood Division, remain, but will meet only twice a year. However each sector will have its own annual conference, providing networking opportunities and exchanges of views from a wide range of industry stakeholders.

Three new market-facing working groups are being launched by the TTF covering timber cladding, flooring and engineered wood products. These are intended to bring members and their customers together to discuss issues and opportunities relating to these product categories. Outputs from these groups will include guidance on avoiding risks, standards, and species and specification. This builds on TTF’s recent and continuing work on issues such as plywoods and preservative treatments.

Complementing these activities will be additional focus on communicating with end users markets such as architects and builders, in addition to the Federation’s continuing input to the builders’ merchant sector. The TTF will be launching its new Foundation in Sales Management qualification during Q1, and continues to work in partnership with the Confederation of Timber Industries on the CTI Fire Project.

“We want 2019 to be a positive year for our members, industry partners, and the end users of wood in industry and construction,” says TTF managing director David Hopkins. “We all face the many challenges of Brexit together, so working in concert with those we serve and those we supply is essential to making the most of the carbon reduction opportunities provided by using sustainably-grown wood.”