From the Archive | 75
PREVIOUSLY… IN TTJ 2012
Delving into the TTJ archive, we look back at some of the issues and news affecting the timber trade in previous decades
DIEBACK THREATENS FUTURE ENGLISH ASH TREE STOCKS
As further evidence of Chalara ash dieback disease is reported across England, hardwood sawmillers are voicing concerns that English ash may find it difficult to mount a future challenge to more fashionable imported ash. Concerns about the market impact of any widespread felling of mature ash trees to combat the disease have also been expressed. An emergency summit on the disease led by environment minister Owen Paterson released results of Forestry Commission surveys on the disease spread, showing the outbreak had now also been confirmed in Sussex, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Northumberland, adding to earlier confirmations in Kent, Essex and East Anglia. Last week also saw a government Cobra emergency response meeting called, wall-to-wall coverage from national newspapers on the disease and a ban on the import and movement of ash tree plants and trees.
Sawmiller and timber merchant WL West & Sons Ltd said the ash disease spread was potentially disastrous. “The government is taking action after the horse has bolted, said Simon Smith, joint managing director. “They’ve known about it for so long but have left it too late.”
IMPORTERS OFTEN ‘IGNORANT’
1982
Hardwood importers who complain about four month sea voyages which leaves wood wet may be “using excuses like that to hide their ignorance of what the situation really is”.
Chris Holmes-Smith of the TTF said many importers knew very little about the shipping. Until a few years ago the Far Eastern Freight Conference “spoon fed” shipping rates to importers. Now shipping wood from the region is a free- for all.
He said long voyages were happening because shipping
companies were competing for diminished cargoes.
IRISH TIMBER GROUP CREATED
1992
A new force in the Irish timber industry has been created by the merging of two of the country’s leading mills. Wood Industries Ireland Ltd has been created by combining Avondale Timber with Wicklow Woods Ltd, both of County Wicklow. The two mills had gone into administration earlier this year.
The new operation, which also includes a chipping site at Arklow Port, has been created by John O’Halloran, who set up the Woodfab organisation in 1971 and was its MD for 20 years.
GLENALMOND TARGETS ENGLAND Glenalmond Timber Co plans to make “significant inroads” into the English construction market with its Ultrajoist “superdried product”.
2002
The Scottish firm aims to make the move next year, hoping to ship direct into an English port.
Glenalmond managing director Fraser Steele is turning his focus south following a year of “significant” growth in sales and the
establishment of widespread distribution in Scotland where the product is stocked by Travis Perkins and B&Q. The former plans to feature it in a brochure.
www.ttjonline.com | November/December 2022 | TTJ
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