Comment | 3


COMMENT


In the last issue we looked at how the offsite timber construction industry was well placed to benefit from the new Government’s renewed emphasis on housebuilding. Reading the interviews


conducted in this issue, a lot of UK timber companies are clearly banking some hopes on the housebuilding policy


– whether it’s boosting demand for structural timber systems, panel products, kitchens or joinery. With trade having been so tough in 2024 for so many,


the tantalising possibility of a legion of new houses on the horizon is encouraging. But it could take 12 months before we see any meaningful difference. Traditional site building skills are not there in the


quantities needed and the offsite build sector, while ramping up its investment, will need to see bigger expansion still. In our Chipboard Market Update we see prices at a


low ebb and there is concern that the venture capital presence in the UK merchant sector is currently causing unease. High interest rates on loans were cited by several trade contacts. The lack of profit margins and chatter that some private equity-backed companies have had their credit insurance reduced is causing some speculation about possible knock-on effects to suppliers. It’s certainly true that the timber trade has been a focus


of attention and takeover activity for the investment sector in recent years, but the high profits seen in the Covid years have been replaced by more challenging business times since. The longer the low demand and low pricing


TTJ – the voice of the timber Industry


environment continues, the more pressure will be put on operators. But in our British Timber Sector Focus we do see some


more positive news – domestic sawmillers have been busy, with fencing and landscaping products, pallets and packaging timber doing well and production levels high at many mills. We interviewed some key UK players, including BSW,


James Jones & Sons and Gordon Timber. Comments include “margins returning”, “encouraging patterns of demand”. Significant investments have also taken place at


several UK sawmill facilities. The Grown in Britain (GiB) campaign is also being very


active, promoting British timber. New GiB certificate holder Highland Heritage Woodworks is driving value into the timber it sources, manufacturing high-end Scottish elm and Douglas fir flooring, Douglas fir post and beam structures, SIPs panels using wide board Scots pine, and in collaboration with GiB, a new to market, home-grown plywood. Lastly, the TTJ Awards takes place on September 20


in London. The Awards Supplement appears as an insert in this issue, and we’d like to thank all sponsors for their unstinting support in making this long-running event a success.


GROUP EDITOR www.ttjonline.com


► MARKET UPDATE – HARDWOOD A look at market trends in the hardwood sector


► MARKET UPDATE – IRELAND We catch up with some of Ireland’s sawmills and update on market dynamics


► SECTOR FOCUS – PRESERVATIVES & FIRE RETARDANTS


The second of this year’s focuses on the timber treatments sector


► SECTOR FOCUS – TROPICAL TIMBER An update on trends in tropical timber


► SECTOR FOCUS – HANDLING & STORAGE


A second look this year at the logistics sector, including case studies


► COUNTRY FOCUS – GERMANY The latest from the solid and engineered timber powerhouse


► TTJ AWARDS REVIEW A review of the 28th annual TTJ Awards


► PLUS REGULARS


Latest UK and world news; technical news; comment from industry figures; and latest appointments.


www.ttjonline.com | September/October 2024 | TTJ


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