What I want from the Wood Industry Accord

Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive

This week BWF sponsored and attended the ProTimber Summit hosted by the Wood Industry Accord, where some interesting research on the contractor and specifier perceptions of wood versus competitive materials were highlighted (this will be made available to members shortly).   The Accord represents a truly exciting opportunity for our industry and we must seize the day and ensure that it is a springboard for change, a platform for action, not simply fine words and firm handshakes. 

The story of our industry is a powerful one, with the tradition and history of our woodlands and use of wood inherent in the evolution of the United Kingdom.   In recent years the story of innovation continues, overcoming challenges associated with unethical harvesting, the development of new treatments, coatings and engineered timber and modified wood has been truly innovative and now there is huge emphasis on end of life with the Renewables Obligation and landfill restrictions.   

Led by this innovation, timber products have come on in leaps and bounds, with recent research by the WWA highlighting 60+ years’ service life for timber windows, timber stairs showing real potential in common flight applications, timber cladding and decking delivering ever extending service life, fire doors continuing to act as the front line in defence and technology developing all the time to ensure that timber products demonstrate the best environmental performance.  

Often this work seems to slip below the radar, with the manufacturing sector in the UK seemingly typified by Automotive and Aerospace.  The construction products industry has a turnover of £50 billion, it employs 500,000 – it is a wealth creator.  The sector is twice the size of the automotive market and more than five times the size of the aerospace sector – we as timber products account for about 10% of this. 

The consumer may not always see the changes we effect because it is often hidden away in a building and we manage all of this whilst maintaining the traditional look and aesthetic finish that makes wood so special. 

Our contribution to the future can be equally as impressive as the legacy that we have provided, but the story needs to be told more consistently and more effectively, we need to overcome the misconceptions and out-of-date perceptions that we still seem to meet every day to realise this potential. 

This can only happen with all of the industry working together, developing and communicating consistent messaging -this is where the ACCORD fits in. 

As a united industry we can focus on developing, encouraging and maintaining markets for wood – now and in the future.  Using forestry impact and highlighting the capabilities of timber products we can carry consistent messages regarding the benefits of using timber.  Backed with this information we can launch initiates that support upstream messages, harnessing the sales and marketing resources available at each stage of the supply chain to engage the consumer and create a positive image of the sector and landscape for the future and at the same time helping woodworking companies to sell more product. 

I would further encourage that we set a goal to get Government to adopt an active pro timber policy, similar to Wood First, but looking beyond local authorities.  Some great work his going on here and it is making a difference, but as a sector, working together, we can afford to be more ambitious.  To do this, we need to pull together all the pieces of the jigsaw and construct a case that can underpin how we can and do support the various departmental objectives of BIS, DCLG, DECC, DEFRA and the Treasury.  The argument for this embraces the carbon sequestration and lifestyle contribution of forests, the potential for developing resources to support future generations, the relative low energy processing costs of timber relative to alternative materials, the growth and employment potential as the construction sector develops, limited waste (now with direction of travel to a landfill ban, would be good to see efforts rewarded) and potential as a mainstream renewable fuel and to support localised generation.  There is much research out there and we need to find mechanisms to draw this together and interpret and present effectively. 

In addition to developing this story and key messages, we also need to draw together the multitude of initiatives that go on collectively presented in some way centrally, ensuring that common threads and messages are communicated.    We also need to listen, to develop channels where we can interpret better the needs of our customers and ensure that our products are easy to specify and use, that we present the right information in the right way and that quality is always maintained.   This is research that can be led through the Accord.

This is the challenge that needs to be picked up through the Timber Industry Accord, this is why we are behind the Accord and we are passionate about making this bright future a reality.