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Director-general and WPIF notch up 25 years
Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF) director-general, Alastair Kerr has been recognised for 25 years of distinguished service, which date back to the organisation’s formation in 1996. WPIF was formed by the UK and Irish board manufacturers to support members processing activities as well as their products in the market.
With a particular emphasis on technical environmental and regulatory matters, Mr Kerr has steered an in-house team supported by external consultants to provide active engagement and representation for member companies on
Ryan joins WPA
the key issues affecting the sector. These issues range from standards development, climate change, energy efficiency, recycling, industrial emissions and to advocating against the continuation of subsidies that support the burning of wood. Most recently the WPIF has led the industry’s response in successfully pressing for the closure of the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive on March 31. The WPIF managing board presented Mr Kerr with a burr elm bowl crafted by the Cumbrian artistic woodturner Jonathan Leech, in appreciation of his service to date.
Dan Catherall Senior retires
Above: Alastair Kerr celebrates 25 years with the WPIF
West Port recruits Nielsen as operations director
Above: Neil Ryan has joined the WPA
Neil Ryan has joined the Wood Protection Association (WPA) team in the new role of regulatory affairs adviser. Mr Ryan is an independent consultant (and managing director) at Woodable and as part of his portfolio, he will be working with the WPA and its members in an advisory capacity. Mr Ryan will be focusing on regulatory issues as they apply to timber treatment operations. These include but are not limited to IED permitting, implementation of the BREF guidance on best available techniques and the safe design and operation of treatment plants. Mr Ryan was formerly managing director at PTG Treatments where he worked for 17 years.
Prior to that he spent many years with one of the major preservative suppliers – firstly as a research scientist, then a product manager, moving onto sales management.
Dr Chris Coggins will continue to monitor the BPR regime and biocide approvals and Gordon Ewbank will continue to observe and report on fire related regulations.
Mr Ryan can be contacted at:
neil@thewpa.org.uk
Above: Dan Catherall Senior
After more than 60 years in the trade Dan Catherall Senior has retired, aged 80. Mr Catherall first got involved in the back breaking side of the trade unloading timber barges on the Thames estuary. This led to him working at Timber Services Ltd in Maldon Essex, where he managed the company’s trade kilns and storage facility business.
Later in his career he was part of the management team that launched Brooks Bros (Maldon) Ltd where he was managing director for a number of years before joining International Timber of Colchester. The last 20 years of his career were spent with his son Danny at Timber Connection Ltd in Ware, Hertfordshire where he took on the buying responsibilities for the company as it expanded into the imported hardwood trade.
His retirement will be spent relaxing at home with his wife, following his beloved Arsenal and spending time with his five children and 11 grandchildren.
Above: Arvid Nielsen
Arvid Nielsen has joined West Port Timber Windows & Doors as operations director. His focus will be on streamlining and improving a variety of processes and systems, which will ultimately deliver benefits to all existing and future customers.
Mr Nielsen’s career has included running the production facility for one of the founding group members of the FSC (Milland Fine Timber), through a variety of environments, all wood related but always engaged in process and overall business improvement. “We produce an excellent range of
bespoke manufactured products,” said Mr Nielsen. “Believing in the product is one thing, but working alongside Sean Parnaby and David Reay is a fantastic opportunity.”
www.ttjonline.com | March/April 2021 | TTJ
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