Major new agreement to boost success of timber products sector

A new collaboration agreement between the UK’s two largest trade bodies for manufactured timber products was launched at Timber Expo this week.  The British Woodworking Federation (BWF), which represents the joinery sector and firms involved in the manufacture of staircases, doors, windows, interiors and architectural joinery, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Structural Timber Association (STA), which represents firms in the structural timber products sector including major timber frame manufacturers.

David Pattenden, president of the BWF, says:

 “The BWF is continuing to build long, long-term cooperative relationships with organisations which share our vision and values for the growth of the UK wood products manufacturing sector.

 “There are many areas in which our interests overlap, including health and safety culture, managing specification through the supply chain, promoting the advantages of timber, quality management, fair payments, and training and skills issues. We know we can achieve more for our members by working together in this way.”

 Lawrence Young, chairman of the STA, says:

 “The dialogue between our organisations has always been strong, but this MOU will help provide a framework for our regular communication and complementary activities. We will be sharing information and best practice, regularly bringing the organisations together at member and staff levels.

 “It’s about bringing together two major elements of timber in construction. We aim to grow the market for the benefit of the structural timber products which go into constructing our buildings as well as the ‘on show’ products which fill those buildings.”

 The MOU sets out plans for the two organisations to collaborate on promotional activities, principally through Wood for Good, and to share and collaborate on research on issues such as fire safety, site practice and sustainability.  They will combine their lobbying on apprenticeships, and explore options for a shared CPD framework. The two organisations will also promote health and safety best practice, a common approach to fair payments throughout the supply chain, along with supporting each other’s accreditation and certification activities and codes of conduct. 

 The British Woodworking Federation is the trade association for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry in the UK. It has 700 members drawn from manufacturers, distributors and installers of timber doors, windows, conservatories, staircases, furniture, all forms of architectural joinery including shopfitting, as well as suppliers to the industry.

The Structural Timber Association is currently the country's leading timber organisation, which represents a wide membership of businesses and people involved in construction using engineered timber, from across the UK. The STA leads the industry on quality, health and safety, education, technical knowledge and customer service. The STA's activities include seminars, factory tours, research, provision of information, networking, advocacy and discussion.