Comment | 3
COMMENT
So, 2025 is under way, and the 64-thousand-dollar question is - what will it bring? We’ve asked that question to
some of the leading industry movers and shakers in the timber and wood products sector in this issue. Their opinions cover timber products, joinery, structural systems, panel products and technology/
machinery. And we also feature our first detailed softwood market report for 2025 which reveals both caution and optimism in equal measure. Their received wisdom and the general feeling from
recent months is that market demand for many timber products is likely to stay challenging for the first half of 2025. Rising insurance costs, employers’ NI increased contributions and intense competition between suppliers to generate sales are all adding pressure. In our own news reporting we see evidence of both investment going on and financial strain on companies, with another modular timber builder failing in recent weeks. The positive spin is that wood is arguably better placed
now as a material to capitalise on the movement towards low carbon construction, with the Timber in Construction Roadmap cited as a key initiative aligning with UK Government housebuilding plans. TDUK CEO David Hopkins himself believes that in Britain
the outlook is far stronger than some believe, and he refuses to be negative. A key point, he says, is making sure the benefits of timber as a low carbon material and low energy manufacturing base are communicated. He says the next few months are particularly important ahead of the Industrial Strategy, which is due in the spring.
TTJ – the voice of the timber Industry Structural Timber Association CEO Andrew Carpenter
believes 2025 is positioned as the ‘year of delivery’ for the STA, marking a pivotal moment for the structural timber industry, with the STA laying the groundwork for long-term industry transformation. Wood Panel Industries Federation director general
Alastair Kerr makes the point that some of the autumn Budget announcements only add to industries’ costs and don’t seem to have improved consumer confidence. This was a point also highlighted by British Woodworking Federation president Andrew Madge at the BWF’s annual dinner last November. But Mr Kerr also says progressive companies often invest when market conditions are difficult, either to enhance their offering or to prepare for growth in better times. He sees signs of this within the panel sector. Of course, the Construction Products Association’s own
forecast is that 2024’s decline in output will be reversed this year, with 2026 set for better things. For the full range of “Predictions” see the full report on (Pg20-25). As we start the New Year, TTJ will be extending its range
of digital market reports from its existing Softwood E-Update, to cover hardwood and panel products, to give more regular digital market information to complement the detailed reports in the print issue.
GROUP EDITOR
www.ttjonline.com
► MARKET UPDATE – HARDWOOD TTJ speaks to importers and merchants about hardwood trading and their thoughts on where business might be headed in 2025
► MARKET UPDATE – CHIPBOARD We cover market developments in the chipboard sector
► SECTOR FOCUS – DECKING & GARDEN PRODUCTS We catch up with manufacturers of decking and garden products and ask how the 2025 season is shaping up for them
► SECTOR FOCUS – MOULDERS & MOULDINGS We look at prospects in the mouldings market and continuing investment in moulder technology
► CUSTOMER REPORT – KITCHENS A look at the kitchen manufacturing sector and how timber fits into the business
► PLUS REGULARS
Latest UK and world news; technical news; comment from industry figures; and latest appointments.
www.ttjonline.com | January/February 2025 | TTJ
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