Comment | 3
COMMENT
In this issue we have our annual TTJ Awards Review 2024, bringing you the results and some of the photos from the day (pp22-27). The event on September 20
was a successful and enjoyable day with nearly 300 people in attendance drawn from a cross- section of the industry. We had a large number of people voting in
the voted categories this year and some excellent entries in the judged categories. A big well done to all the winners and finalists this year,
especially James Latham who won the TTJ Timber Trader of the Year and three other trophies. Just before going to press, I attended the TDUK Global
Markets Conference in London. The well attended event provided some key market information. Some of the takeaways included the Construction
Products Association (CPA) predicting a 2.5% growth in overall construction output in 2025 and an 8% rise in private housebuilding. The figures have to be seen in the context of big falls this year so it’s more a case of stabilisation than any boost in trade. CPA economics director Noble Francis described the
government’s 1.5 million new homes target as “ludicrous” and unlikely to be achieved, pointing out that the construction industry had lost hundreds of thousands of jobs. However, “cautious optimism” is the CPA’s official outlook. Olle Berg, of Setra Group, shared European softwood
import statistics, which show that imports were down 4% in Europe for the first six months of 2024. The UK
TTJ – the voice of the timber Industry specifically saw 2.7 million m3 of softwood imports, down
6% on a year ago. So, again a case of stabilisation. In 2025 he forecasts a +5% improvement in European softwood imports. Overall demand would improve next year, he said, but no building boom. And European sawmills continue to be pressured. Other market signals in this issue of TTJ, include some
brighter spots noticed by hardwood traders in some areas of the joinery market, including staircase manufacturers, window makers and the door sector (pp18-19). We also have our annual focus on Germany (pp28-29).
The German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association said that the country’s 2023 timber exports fell well short of the previous year with lumber production falling by 5.6% in 2023, but remained at a high level at 22,944,059m3
. There are signs of a slow recovery
in exports in the first half of 2024, but this will only be reflected in production with a time lag. Elsewhere in TTJ we have our latest update on
preservatives and treatments, with updates from Arxada and Koppers, while Belfast-based timber treatment firm HALT has been awarded landmark contracts in the UK and Ireland – doubling the size of its Belfast facility. Janet Sycamore of the Wood Protection Association
makes the case that third party accreditation is the key to treated wood sales growth.
GROUP EDITOR
www.ttjonline.com
► MARKETS UPDATE – SOFTWOOD Latest news on the softwood sector and how it is facing up to 2025 in the light of new geopolitical changes
► OPINION – 2025 PREDICTIONS TTJ asks key players in the industry how they think 2025 will pan out and where they think the challenges and opportunities will be
► SECTOR FOCUS – COATINGS & FINISHES
Our annual update from the world of coatings and finishes, speaking to major manufacturers of the products
► PLUS REGULARS
Latest UK and world news; technical news; comment from industry figures; and latest appointments.
www.ttjonline.com | November/December 2024 | TTJ
► SECTOR FOCUS – CLADDING & SHINGLES We look at the current market for cladding and shingles products
► TALKING TIMBER The Wood Technology Society continues its series of articles looking at new developments and key issues in the timber industry
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