search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
TIMBER: SNOWS TIMBER T


here is never a time for complacency but, compared with many other suppliers in the construction industry, we can be reasonably proud of what we have achieved. There is, of course, still plenty more to be done.


As far as timber distributors are concerned, sustainability and environmental responsibility applies to the product’s lifecycle after it is harvested almost as much as its sourcing and planting. This means how it is used, how it is treated and how it is delivered.


When it is sourced properly, and most timber is, it is one of the most environmentally friendly materials in use. It is renewable, obviously, and carbon neutral. And recent leaps in technology such as cross lamination (CLT) have added to its versatility.


Defining sustainable timber is easy: The wood must be harvested responsibly, and the trees taken must be replaced. Well-managed forests achieve this without damaging the surrounding environment or harming other plants and wildlife. While we are doing all we can, the lead in sustainability has to come from the governments of forested countries. They oversee the growing and the harvesting of the trees and they must balance environmental, economic, social and political needs.


Timber traceability


Illegal sources still supply an estimated 15-30% of all globally logged timer, with that figure rising to more than half in developing nations. And there are still difficulties with the traceability of timber with wood from legitimate sources often mixed with illicitly harvested product. Technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) chips tagging and identifying batches of timber are helping with this and an even cheaper alternative called Stardust is being trialled in some markets. This is a spray which is only detectable with a hand-held device to help ensure authenticity.


These technologies still have a way to go before they can meaningfully tackle traceability in the global timber trade, but on a micro-level, suppliers are already putting many of these emerging technologies to good use. Snows can guarantee a robust chain of custody for 99% of our products.


Snows Timber is a signatory to the WWF-UK Forests Campaign pledge to purchase all timber and wood products from sustainable sources by 2020. We have already reached 99% and are working hard to cover the final one per cent. In line with that pledge, we will not source wood from forests where traditional or civil rights are violated or from non-certified forest areas with high conservation values which are threatened. Our principles also bar wood


SUSTAINABILITREE


Timber is one of the earliest and most popular natural resources in the construction industry. Ian Church, managing director of Snows Timber tells BMJ about strides being taken by the timber industry towards sustainability.


harvested from genetically modified trees, illegally harvested wood, wood from natural forest that has been converted to plantations or non-forest use.


Snows Timber holds chain of custody certification under both FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) and PEFC™ (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) systems, and is a Timber Trade Federation Responsible Purchaser. This means we undertake all due diligence required under the European Timber Regulation (EUTR): all our purchasing complies with the EUTR.


So as far as sourcing is concerned, we can be reasonably proud of what we have achieved while still actively examining options to make further improvements.


Added efficiency


Beyond sourcing, Snows Timber recently undertook an efficiency drive which has had further positive effects on the sustainability of the business as a whole.


In January we introduced a new routing and scheduling system named Routyn. We are the first company in the country to use this system


December 2018 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


and it has already allowed us to deliver the same volume of products as before with 25% fewer vehicles covering 10% fewer miles. This has resulted in savings in fuel use, costs and a considerable reduction in vehicle emissions. We have also installed a bio-mass boiler at our Glastonbury distribution centre. It runs at 90% efficiency on offcuts from our sawmills, causing significantly less waste than conventional boilers. It provides power and lighting at the site and it also qualifies for a £12,000 government payback scheme which we will invest to further improve the site’s energy efficiency. Over time, the savings in energy costs will easily cover the initial £40,000 investment in the boiler.


Ensuring timber is sustainable is the responsibility of the overseers of every part of the process of it use, from forest to built environment. This includes sourcing, harvesting and forest maintenance, importation, treatment and supply. And responsibility for this lies, in varying degree, with the stakeholders from start to finish. From government to construction companies via importers and foresters. Snows is proud to be playing its part. BMJ


43


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