8 | UK News
New timber frame report highlights building sector compliance confusion
Nearly half of survey respondents declined to disclose their PMV score, citing unclear definitions, lack of relevance to small scale operations or uncertainty about how the figure is calculated. There is no standardised industry process for calculation.
Smaller companies say they don’t feel financially equipped to deal with it, needing to make changes to their factories. Manufacturers also perceive that policy frameworks like the Future Homes Standard are increasingly geared toward volume developers.
This is leaving smaller manufacturers, many of which are already building above- regulation, struggling to see where they fit into the picture.
Above: Journalists, including TTJ’s Stephen Powney, joined MEDITE SMARTPLY and the STA at a briefing for the new report in central London
UK timber frame manufacturers have highlighted growing regulatory pressures and a lack of clarity about how to meet them, a major new survey reveals. The Framing the Future: The state of timber fame construction report, published by MEDITE SMARTPLY and the Structural Timber Association, captures responses from more than 80 timber frame manufacturers, highlighting a disconnect between government policy ambition and the practical realities of delivery. TTJ joined with other news organisations for the launch of the report in London. Key results include:
• 39% of timber frame manufacturers are building above regulation levels but feel ignored by policy
• 49% did not disclose their Pre-
Manufactured Value (PMV) score, citing confusion
• 73% reported skilled labour shortages across their workforce
• 43% ranked fire performance as their number one challenge
• 81% want OSB sheathing panels with integrated fire resistance
The report says net zero targets are adding to complexity, with the Future Homes Standard set to be introduced this year, requiring new build homes to incorporate low-carbon heating and energy efficiency. A key concern is confusion around PMV scores – a metric important to modern methods of construction (MMC) funding models.
International Timber’s Parkend site closes doors for the last time
UK timber product distributor International Timber’s Parkend site in Gloucestershire closed its doors for the last time at the end of June.
The closure to the Saw Mills facility in Folly Road, home to the company’s specialist hardwood sales and kilning facilities, will bring an end to many years of trading on the site and forms part of wider rationalisation at International
TTJ | July/August 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
Timber’s parent company STARK Building Materials UK Ltd in response to challenging markets and a drive to make operations more efficient. A STARK spokesperson told TTJ that the vast majority of staff at Parkend had already secured new roles with external organisations, with the rest of the team “choosing from a number of options available to them”.
“The industry isn’t short on innovation or intention, but a lack of clarity is knocking confidence,” said Roly Ward, head of business development at MEDITE SMARTPLY. “We’re hearing a clear message from the sector: manufacturers are being asked to move fast without clear footing. That’s not sustainable.
“Fire safety is a prime example. It remains the number one challenge for almost half of respondents, yet testing regimes aren’t clearly defined and insurers still lack confidence.
“That’s a risky bottleneck. If we want MMC to scale, we need regulatory clarity, joined-up standards, and products that simplify the compliance journey, not complicate it further.”
Many manufacturers expressed interest in multi-functional solutions that reduce the need for layered materials and on-site adaptations by streamlining compliance across airtightness, thermal performance and buildability.
“We have a long and proud heritage in offering the industry a broad and deep range of timber products powered by a robust logistics network and remain committed to being a leader in this very important sector.
“Our Grangemouth site remains the largest of our timber operations and will continue to serve the needs of customers throughout Scotland and the north and Midlands of England.”
This includes supplying specialist hardwoods, the spokesperson told TTJ, but kilning services are now being outsourced.
UK News
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85
