Industry Predictions 2026 | 21
of their kind in the UK – are showcasing timber’s versatility beyond traditional structural applications, responding to demand for higher-quality, visually striking solutions.
recovery - history and experience say there will at some stage, but it may take a while. In the meantime, importers, merchants and end users need to expect another disappointing six months.
I don’t think it’s just timber and the construction trade feeling the squeeze. It seems to be across retail, financial and industrial sectors. And it’s not just the UK and Europe - this is global.
It will come down to the survival of the fittest and those companies still around in the latter part of 2026 should see some comfort.
In short, extremely challenging times!
I don’t think it’s just timber and the construction trade feeling the squeeze. It seems to be across retail, financial and industrial sectors.
Alongside product innovation, significant effort has into integrating and strengthening the Group’s operations. The consolidation of BSW Timber Solutions and Bayram Timber at Melton has opened new opportunities across DIY, retail and specialist manufacturing markets. This is in addition to the work being done to expand BSW Timber’s Carlisle site as a distribution hub, with plans to install a railhead. Investments across forestry, harvesting, processing and logistics are building a more resilient, efficient and circular supply chain. This includes a £6m investment in Tilhill Forestry’s advanced harvesting fleet which now operates on a five-year renewal programme to ensure technology remains up to date.
Mike Faulkner, Commercial Director BSW Group
Timber processing has seen more than £5m invested recently, with dozens of new forklifts, material handlers and side loaders for BSW Timber’s sawmills, in particular Dalbeattie and Fort William.
THE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK IS FUNDAMENTALLY STRONG…
Following several years of volatility, 2025 felt like a recalibration for the UK timber market. One of the most positive signals has been the return of more familiar demand patterns, with seasonal peaks and quieter periods closer to pre-Covid norms. That return to rhythm suggests a sense of stability is re-emerging, even if overall demand is still flatter than we would like. Against this backdrop, our focus at BSW Group has been on offering real value to customers and the supply chain, coupled with long-term decisions to prepare the business for continued growth. Over the past year, BSW Timber has expanded its product portfolio to reflect changing customer expectations and the growing role of timber in all sorts of areas. A range of product launches, including decorative micro CLT panels – the first
Looking ahead, and despite a flat forecast for the immediate future, the long-term outlook for timber remains fundamentally strong. Construction demand is heading in an encouraging direction, with the Timber in Construction Roadmap in England and the Timber Industrial Strategy in Wales confirming the need for homegrown supply. Timber’s role in decarbonising the built environment is increasingly recognised, and industry collaboration reflects growing confidence in the domestic sector’s capacity to meet demand sustainably – such as the recent campaign from BSW Timber, James Jones & Sons and Glennon Brothers to promote UK C16 timber.
There’s huge opportunity across the industry, but also significant challenges. Skills, labour availability and supportive policy will all influence the market’s trajectory. What is certain, however, is that demand for timber will continue to grow. The task now is ensuring the UK forestry and timber sector is ready to meet that demand efficiently and sustainably.
Looking ahead, and despite a flat
forecast for the immediate future, the long-term outlook for timber remains fundamentally strong.
www.ttjonline.com | Spring 2026 | TTJ
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