16 | Opinion
A CLEAR CASE FOR TREATMENT CLARITY
The industry must get behind the TTF’s efforts to clear the fog around correct specifi cation of treated softwood, says Keith Fryer of Fort Builders’ Merchant
Here in Merchant Land, life is interesting. We’re coping with many of the same issues that people further up in the timber industry supply chain are facing, but the big difference is that merchants are the interface between trade and consumer.
Covid related issues, along with container prices and the inevitable post-Brexit problems all bear down on us; we then have to explain why prices are rising and lead times are extended. Thankfully it isn’t just timber seeing signifi cant price rises, although on this occasion we’re certainly taking a lead role.
But let’s try to remember how fortunate we are. For those of us who’ve escaped the ravages of Covid, we’ve been able to continue trading and seen almost unprecedented demand. If you’re struggling at the moment, you probably need to review your business plan. Unfortunately, high demand creates complacency. Some see the current position as an opportunity to ignore the need to continually improve standards, which is the only way the industry will thrive in the future. For those of you who’ve known me a while and read my previous articles, you’ll know I believe in the importance of raising the quality of timber products, descriptions and specifi cations.
Preservative treatment of softwood has been a long- standing irritation to me. Our industry should hang its head at the reticence of many to describe and produce treated softwood to its correct requirements. The current market has only increased slackening of standards, with merchants effectively told to “take it or leave it”. Nick Boulton, who heads up the TTF’s technical committees is far more qualifi ed than me to harangue
you, but he’s much more diplomatic and also far better at setting the facts out – here is a link to his recent updates on the issue:
https://ttf.co.uk/timber-trade-topics/ preservative-treatments-for-timber/ What the TTF and its members have fi nally done is crucial for the survival of timber in construction; their efforts will ensure that timber can be specifi ed and used in ways where it can give clearly defi ned performance levels, because treated timber will be described and processed in accordance with relevant Use Classes. As Nick explains, TTF surveys have found the industry, let alone its customers, woefully unaware of different Use Classes and their applications. In many instances this fog is deliberate; it’s done to allow poor treatment processes to continue.
I applaud the work and the courage of the TTF to stand
fi rm and insist that members behave responsibly. We saw a similar programme for clarity on plywood a few years back; now it’s treated softwood’s turn and it cannot come soon enough.
In the same way we saw the demise of ‘WBP’, we will now see ‘Treated Timber’ going the same way. The sooner the better.
So, if you think you’re a serious, professional timber
trader, make sure you can confi dently tell your customers what UC1 to UC4 means and where they can be used. The future of treated timber as a mainstream constructional, landscaping or agricultural product is in your hands. Do the right thing; stick to the facts. ■
I believe in the importance of raising the quality of timber products
TTJ | March/April 2021 |
www.ttjonline.com
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