Good forest management can both protect the environment and help meet the growing demand for timber from the building trade, argues Nigel Buckley-Ryan, Södra’s UK Sales Director, Merchants. As pressure on the world’s finite resources continues to intensify, timber suppliers face a growing problem: how do we meet the needs
Chandlers Building Supplies in Banstead,is celebrating its recent refurbishment and expansion with a week of trade demos and promotions for builders starting on September 9. Despite Brexit uncertainty, Chandlers Building Supplies has invested more than £1m to refurbish and expand its retail outlets as well as increase its range of
Clark-Drain Ltd unveils Technodrain®, a new addition to its popular linear drainage range that broadens the choice for UK construction. Designed for surface water management, the versatility of Technodrain® enables it to be used across all construction environments as a light, robust, technical solution for run-off surface design. Made
North West-based Hemsec is one of the UK’s largest and longest-standing insulated panel manufacturers. To help drive further planned growth and to satisfy the building industry’s need for materials used in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the company has appointed an experienced sales professional in the construction sector, Paul Nicholls,
Ibstock Brick has been shortlisted for two prestigious industry awards which recognise its world-class apprenticeship programme. The leading brick manufacturer, part of Ibstock plc, has been named as a finalist in the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year category at the Personnel Today Awards as well as the Best Apprenticeship Programme
The important information you need to choose the right pipe can be found here. It’s no small task to choose the right steel pipe, and even if you’re experienced mistakes will be made. Following this guide will help with the process of buying steel pipes. Afterwards, you can always find
Medford is a beautiful city located in Jackson County, Oregon. It is believed to be the 4th largest metro area in Oregon. If a family is looking to build a new lovely home in this city, they will have to browse through various construction agencies. There are many agencies in
There has been a steady rise in the use of plastic materials in several production processes. Industries are continually trying to develop new materials that are cost and energy-efficient. As a result, the mixed materials assembly in product development is becoming increasingly popular. Companies are looking for ways to join
Preston-based family business Readyfix has experienced steady year on year growth and as a result have further invested in a second warehouse at their premises on Croft Street. The business, which employs 35 staff, added an extra 350 pallet spaces, equivalent to the size of a football pitch, allowing the
This year, the International Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The PEFC is the world’s leading forest certification system and the standard of choice for public timber procurement policies in the UK. Its certification systems are recognised in 51 countries across the world
Good forest management can both protect the environment and help meet the growing demand for timber from the building trade, argues Nigel Buckley-Ryan, Södra’s UK Sales Director, Merchants. As pressure on the world’s finite resources continues to intensify, timber suppliers face a growing problem: how do we meet the needs of consumers and protect our planet at the same time? In my view, good forest management is the main way to address these apparently conflicting needs. Some may think that trees simply grow on their own and that forests therefore don’t need to be carefully managed. However, innovative and responsible forest management can make a significant difference, both to the environment and to the quality and supply of timber. So, what should good forest management look like? Nurturing healthy saplings As you would expect, it starts at the beginning with the careful selection of the seedlings that, over the next 50-70 years, will grow to maturity, create your forest, and provide the reliable supply of timber on which your customers depend. At Södra, for example, the basis of our Falkenburg nursery (where 35 million saplings passed through last year) derives from some of the best quality trees in the world. The programme does not and has never used genetic modification in any way, but rather helps ensure that all desirable traits of these selected spruce are transferred to the seeds, and then to future trees. This helps produce higher quality trees and ultimately improves the overall quality of the end-product. Encouraging good root growth Saplings themselves should be planted in conditions that will ensure strong, healthy root growth. One way of doing this is to line the pots in which they are grown with copper. This prevents roots from spiralling downwards in a corkscrew shape. Instead, the roots spread out to the edges of the pot. This trait continues when they are finally planted in the forest, which makes them less susceptible to storm damage. Before this stage, once saplings reach a height of about 15cms, they should be trimmed and generally well looked after. Errant branches should be cut off to create a nice straight sapling, maximising its chances of growing into a strong, healthy tree. As they grow, saplings will continue to need careful nurturing to keep them healthy and pest-free. However, this shouldn’t mean resorting to chemicals. At Södra, for instance, we have developed our own chemical-free pest deterrent called Cambiguard. Healthy forests lead to quality timber supply Health forests mean health trees that grow for longer, benefiting the environment as they do by absorbing and locking away harmful carbon dioxide. And typically, longer growth results in bigger, stronger, better quality trees which, in turn, means higher yields of quality timber. Once saplings are ready to be planted out, good forest management involves planting them in a location that will offer sufficient light, water and nutrients for continued healthy growth. Responsible forest owners measure water tables regularly and make sure they have a good, up-to-date understanding of what their forest actually consists of. Modern technology can help here. For example, many of today’s foresters now use drones to view the forest. Amongst other things, this enables them to identify which areas need to be thinned and which areas will work well left as nature strips. The role of thinning and nature strips Thinning is an essential element of good forest management and consists of removing slower-growing or defective trees, so providing more space and sunlight for the remaining trees. The subsequent improved supply of soil nutrients, water and light results in bigger, healthier trees. Nature strips also play an important role in forest husbandry. These are areas of forest left untouched so that wildlife can flourish, which helps maintain a balanced forest ecosystem and contribute to the overall health of the forest. Conservation and increased production can go hand in hand In my view, a long-term, evidence-based approach is critical to successful forest management. At Södra our systematic approach over the last 20 years has led to both an increase in voluntarily protected areas with high conservation values and greater production. Over the next five years we’re going a step further and aiming to use our ongoing research and development to achieve a 20 per cent higher annual rate of forest growth while still meeting our sustainability targets. This ambition demonstrates that conservation and improved productivity can go hand-in-hand. Indeed, many forest owners find that, in time, less invasive forestry methods lead to forests with better growth and increased wood volume. This translates into the reliable supply that is so important for builders’ merchants and other timber buyers, particularly in the current climate of uncertainty around the outcome of Brexit. Care with harvesting As they mature, trees will continue to need monitoring to make sure they are still receiving an adequate supply of water, light and soil nutrients. Generally, it takes around 50-70 years for a tree to fully mature and reach its full height, and only once a tree has stopped absorbing harmful carbon dioxide (and locked it away forever), will it be harvested. As with the earlier stages of a tree’s life, good forest management can minimise negative environmental impacts at the harvesting stage. For example, it is important to protect the forest floor and reduce soil damage by constructing temporary roadways and laying down branches. It is also important to identify important habitats that should be preserved. The end results By managing forests in the careful, responsible way I have outlined forest owners can make a significant difference to the environment and, at the same time, provide a reliable supply of the sustainable and quality timber that’s increasingly in demand to meet today’s construction needs.
Chandlers Building Supplies in Banstead,is celebrating its recent refurbishment and expansion with a week of trade demos and promotions for builders starting on September 9. Despite Brexit uncertainty, Chandlers Building Supplies has invested more than £1m to refurbish and expand its retail outlets as well as increase its range of stock in Banstead by more than 50 percent. Angela Straker took over as branch manager last year. Angela has forged her career in this traditionally male dominated industry and is currently in the running for two prestigious industry awards for her commitment and knowledge of the sector. Angela, said: “I just love the construction industry. At this stage in my career, I feel I know what Banstead builders require for pretty much any building project they undertake. I am delighted to have been able to expand our offering here in Banstead and hope the local tradespeople will come and see the changes we’ve made.” Sue McKinney, Chandlers Building Supplies said: “Our customers require a wide range of roofing and building supplies on a daily basis, they also often rely on the advice that our branch manager and building specialists can share with them. We have strong indications that expanding our offering locally in Banstead is exactly what local tradespeople want and need.” The new store is running free trade demo days from September 9, including free breakfast and plenty of giveaways and promotions on offer. Chandlers Building Supplies also has outlets in Surrey at Chertsey and Bookham.
Clark-Drain Ltd unveils Technodrain®, a new addition to its popular linear drainage range that broadens the choice for UK construction. Designed for surface water management, the versatility of Technodrain® enables it to be used across all construction environments as a light, robust, technical solution for run-off surface design. Made from High Density Polyethylene, Technodrain® encompasses all load classes (A15-F900) in accordance with European standard EN 1433, comprising an array of grating design options in ductile iron, galvanised steel and stainless steel. The Technodrain® system will be available in 100mm, 150mm, 200mm and 300mm internal widths. With the advantage of light-weight, polyethylene – e.g. the EXEL 200HV has a 42.61 l/s hydraulic capacity ideal for use in road drainage and car parks and weighs 26.1kg, complete with D400 ductile iron grating – its size to weight ratio maximises savings in transport and installation cost. Technologically advanced, Technodrain® is resistant to temperature change with a thermal range between -60OC and +100OC. It is also resistant to a wide range of acids, salts and hydrocarbons so that it can be used in challenging environments such as chemical plants, petrol stations and surfaces where ant-freeze salts are used. Technodrain® incorporates many other benefits. Its robust design adds to its sustainable life, whilst installation is eased with tongue and groove joints enabling the connection of multiple channels with a ready-mounted grate. Its preformed lateral and vertical channel outlets also provide quick and easy connection to discharge pipes. Furthermore, project design is supported by integrated Tee-and Cross-section joints that can adapt the drainage line, enabling control over the accuracy and cost effectiveness of the whole system. An important additional accessory is the Technodrain® sump unit. It can be installed as a terminal unit off the line or as a central element of two converging lines. The sump is equipped with an optional anti-odour siphon that can be removed easily for cleaning purposes and a grating to filter leaves and debris. Use of the sump allows you to increase the out-flow diameter of all channels up to Ø200. John Carter, Head of Sales and Marketing at Clark-Drain comments: “Both for the contractor and the operator, Technodrain offers technical innovation and a high degree of cost saving, whilst providing a highly efficient system for surface water design and management right across the construction project spectrum”
North West-based Hemsec is one of the UK’s largest and longest-standing insulated panel manufacturers. To help drive further planned growth and to satisfy the building industry’s need for materials used in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the company has appointed an experienced sales professional in the construction sector, Paul Nicholls, as their Business Development Manager for SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) The potential for timber faced insulated panels to enable the construction industry to build better quality buildings, and to build them faster is enormous. Paul’s primary objective will be to educate and inform the sector of these huge opportunities, specifically with SIPs, and to showcase how with Hemsec as a supply chain partner companies can rest assured that they will have the highest certification standards available delivered on time, and in full. Paul explained his new role and priorities. “I will be working with architects, developers and housing associations to explain how SIPs can contribute towards improving building insulation and sustainability, provide larger internal building dimensions, greater construction efficiency and fewer snags, thereby reducing overall operational costs and reducing the time capital is tied up in a project. “Currently many professionals working in the industry are unaware of the key benefits SIPs offer, and my job will be to demonstrate why they are such an important solution. This in turn will help the industry to address the housing crisis in the UK, building more energy-efficient and affordable homes.” Paul is working on a number of key projects for Hemsec. This includes a current Housing Association project where they are keen to explore the use of SIPs in their current building programme, recognising the need for innovative solutions and the benefits they offer as part of Modern Methods of Construction. In addition to educating the sector about the benefits of SIPs, Paul will be working to develop Hemsec’s network of collaborators to meet the needs of businesses seeking everything from panel supply only to full turnkey solutions, the objective being to offer coherent and effective supply chain partnerships for all sizes of project, regardless of size or complexity. Four months into his new role, Paul is excited about the potential of the business and is positive about the supportive culture that is an important part of the company’s success and longevity. He said, “Hemsec is a great company to work for. It is very loyal to its local workforce, is family orientated, open and extremely welcoming. I firmly believe in our ambition to be quite different in the market place compared to our competitors, recognising the importance of developing strong business relationships.” Hemsec is developing educational materials to facilitate SIPs usage in the construction industry and is in talks with secondary education colleges and the CITB to provide accredited learning. For more information please contact the company through Hemsec.com.
Ibstock Brick has been shortlisted for two prestigious industry awards which recognise its world-class apprenticeship programme. The leading brick manufacturer, part of Ibstock plc, has been named as a finalist in the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year category at the Personnel Today Awards as well as the Best Apprenticeship Programme at the Training Journal Awards. Ibstock Brick offers two engineering apprenticeship programmes, both four years in duration; Advanced Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Electrical Engineering. There are currently 35 apprentices within the business, ranging from 16 to 25 years old. The main objective of its apprenticeship programme is to build on its skills base by nurturing a new generation of highly qualified employees – who will bring new skills, energy, ideas and enthusiasm to the business. Such has been the success of Ibstock Brick’s apprenticeship programme, it is being rolled out to include Ibstock plc’s Concrete division. Paula Wardle, Group Learning & Development Manager at Ibstock plc, commented: “We are delighted that our apprenticeship programme has been shortlisted for these two prestigious industry awards. It recognises the investment we have made in developing a comprehensive programme focussed on delivering world-class engineering skills and knowledge. “Our apprenticeship scheme contributes to our goal of growing the business by investing in people – from the start of their careers – and helping them achieve their potential. It also ensures that we create a pool of engineering and technical specialists who will help drive forward innovation and manufacturing excellence. We believe this approach makes an important contribution to delivering excellence in the way we operate. It is only by nurturing our future talent that we will have people with the technical expertise and skills to manufacture our products for years to come.”https://www.ibstockplc.co.uk/careers/apprenticeship-schemes
The important information you need to choose the right pipe can be found here. It’s no small task to choose the right steel pipe, and even if you’re experienced mistakes will be made. Following this guide will help with the process of buying steel pipes. Afterwards, you can always find more information at varnerpipe.com. Things To Consider Before Looking Find about two or three pipe comparison charts that specifically note material, applications and corrosion resistance. This can help narrow down a lot of close choices when price becomes the deciding factor. The charts will usually say the same thing about the steel pipes you are considering. When conflicting information is found, you can always add an additional chart to get a clearer picture of the details. Don’t underestimate the power of doing side by side comparisons when looking at steel pipes. That one feature you overlook could be the biggest thing you need when starting a new project. A Rundown Of The Different Steel Types There are three main steel types that are worth mentioning. Carbon, alloy and stainless steel are the three types that you will do the most business with. Carbon is strong and easy to work with. With its low number of alloying elements, carbon is also one of the least expensive pipes to get. Alloy is strong against impact while also being more resistant to stress. The many combinations of alloy means that high quality mixtures are more profound in the industry. Stainless steel does not rust, and therefore is a huge benefit for steel pipes. In industries where corrosion protection is mandatory, stainless steel reigns supreme. What Is The Grade Of The Steel? One of the first steps to getting steel pipes is to determine what grade is needed. Narrowing down steel pipes will always require knowing what grade will do the best job. But regardless off the grade, the sizing will remain the same since it follows the same industry standard. Consider that one less variable you have to worry about when getting a steel pipe. ASME and ASTM usually have piping specs that show which grades of steel are beneficial for your project. The main difference between the two is that they have different standards to go by. Even though the grades are similar across both spec sheets, their standards will often determine what testing is done for each. The SAE and AISI are two other organizations that should be looked at for steel pipe grades. Their numbering system simplifies a lot of the more complex classifications of steel piping. Keep in mind that the numbering system is only one part of the specifications needed when ordering steel pipes. This is a good example of where the information from the other organizations come in. SAE/AISI combined with ASME/ASTM gives you a full profile when deciding which steel pipe is better for your project. The last grade sort of sits by itself, and for good reason. API 5L is strictly used for the oil and gas industry. As its own category, the grade has multiple delivery conditions to choose from. Things can get complex when comparing the different options with API 5L. Just like the previous choices, the grades are there to help you narrow down what works best for your industry. Choosing Between Seamless or Welded Tons of customization options for steel pipes include the choice of seamless or welded. This requirement changes on each project, so you must know which one will get the job done. Welded pipes are more cost effective than seamless, especially when buying in bulk. The consistency from pipe to pipe enhances the wall thickness. To keep this consistency active, manufacturers can check the internal surface of the tubes. This is something you can’t do with seamless pipes due to the way they’re made. Seamless pipes have the advantage with consistent roundness and lack of seams. Often, a weak seam in a pipe can be a future headache for a project. By eliminating that issue with seamless pipes, you have one less problem to worry about. This feature becomes important when you’re worried about corrosion or breakage. Getting Bundles Buying in bulk will always have its advantages. When buying pipe bundles, you get the added benefit of mixing length and size. The discount you get by buying cut-lengths of pipe can save your company a ton of money. The savings don’t end there, and also apply to businesses that purchase pipes at full length. Depending on where you get it from, buying at full length may carry a larger discount than buying mixed. Pay attention to a manufacturer’s pipe page to see where the most savings are. Chances are full length steel pipes will see the biggest savings when purchasing or larger projects. Quantity Buyers that aren’t concerned about price still need to know the footage of pipe needed for a project. It is one of the requirements for a quote and should be one of the top things on your purchase checklist. With this information, you may be able to plan for future projects that require the same materials. When price is a concern, going over what you need will cost you more on both ends- purchase and cleanup. Trying to buy extra in case a mistake happens will lead you to a bottomless hole. Planning carefully is the only way to prevent this from becoming a problem with steel pipes. Pipe Size Sizing specifications often contain plumbing terminology that buyers are not familiar with. Know your fittings and what steel pipe sizes will be compatible before committing to an order. Pipe fittings and sizes can always be research using a manufacturer’s chart, if one is provided. When you’re left to figure it out on your own, it is a good idea to create a personal reference table for the company. Update and refer to this table whenever you need to make a purchase for new steel pipes. Verify Suppliers Someone telling you that a specific
Medford is a beautiful city located in Jackson County, Oregon. It is believed to be the 4th largest metro area in Oregon. If a family is looking to build a new lovely home in this city, they will have to browse through various construction agencies. There are many agencies in Medford. All of them are ready to make your dreams come true. The most important thing you should know is that they are licensed, general contractors. So, your homes are in capable hands. Apart from building a new home from scratch, construction agencies can do a lot more. Their services include remodeling as well. There are many households that have grown tired of looking at the same old boring walls and furniture. They can handle the interior as well as exterior painting. If you aren’t satisfied with your garden, they can do something about it. Construction agencies dabble in landscaping, too. There are no limits. If you want to find out more about the function of contractors, you can read more about it here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_contractor. Brand New Homes If you can’t find the home you are looking for, you will likely try to build it. It is undoubtedly exhausting for you to go through every house on the market and still be disappointed. The houses aren’t what you pictured your perfect home to look like. Whether you want a simple home or a more complex residence, construction agencies are here for you. They work according to your budget. That way, everything will be planned accordingly. You will undoubtedly get the most out of your savings. When you contact a construction agency, the first thing you are going to do is explain your dream home. After the design and specifics have been discussed, they contact engineers, architects, and sometimes real estate agents. They build up a team to build your perfect home. They work according to your needs from scratch up till the finishing touches to make sure everything is perfect. Even though most construction agencies are focused on residential work, they do not back off from commercial work. They can build office buildings as well. Remodeling It is not surprising to hear that some households are searching for contractors to help them in remodeling. You can certainly do some stuff yourself. But in some cases, it is best if you leave it to the professionals. So many things can go wrong if you aren’t experienced in house remodel. The majority of people are actually doubtful to contract someone for this type of construction. This is mostly because they think contractors cost a lot. What they do not know is that it can cost you more if you try to do it yourself and end up screwing it all up. Home Additions If you have a vacant place in your home, you may have a vision for what it could become. Many people dream of their own personal space in their households. They may want to get away from all the chaos and just relax. Some people dream of a spacious garage. Construction agencies can handle anything. The first thing you should do is show them the place you have and the size of it. They have to calculate the budget also. Whether you have to enlarge an already existing room or just add more rooms to your home, they can do it. You should know that they have to follow the construction laws to pass the Medford inspection. So, you do not have to worry about anything. They use the best materials out there that can withstand all kinds of weather. If you want to read more about various home additions, click here. Fences Some families enjoy more recluse homes because they like to have privacy. However, not many homes have that. So, people have to settle down for whatever they can get within their budget. Contractors can help you achieve more privacy by building you any type of fence you want. That way, you will be protected from all those noisy neighbors you may have. With a high enough fence, you could comfortably relax in your own backyard without worrying about prying eyes.
There has been a steady rise in the use of plastic materials in several production processes. Industries are continually trying to develop new materials that are cost and energy-efficient. As a result, the mixed materials assembly in product development is becoming increasingly popular. Companies are looking for ways to join different materials to develop products that feature enhanced durability and sustainable functionality. Plastic and metal are two of the most common materials that have to be joined. Hot riveting is one of the most effective ways of joining materials. And it is being used extensively by many companies. What is Hot Riveting? Before discussing hot riveting, we must know the basics of riveting. It involves the insertion of rivets into pre-drilled holes. The rivet head stays in place on one end of the hole as its diameter is more than the shaft. Upsetting or hammering is used to increase the width of the rivet tail, so it locks in place on the other end of the hole, creating a permanent joint. Hot Riveting is a process that joins two materials permanently at specific points using a form-closing technique. Thermoplastic must be one of the materials being joined, as it melts under heat and you can shape it with tools. Various types of heat application can be implemented in a hot riveting process, such as convection, conduction, friction, and radiation. Of these, convection and conduction are preferable as they will not produce any contaminating dust or swarf. Companies are resorting to different hot riveting technologies, ranging from manual to fully automatic. We recommend that you check out hot riveting by bdtronic, as they have one of the most environment-friendly and cost-effective processes. Other common names for hot riveting include hot forming and heat staking. Uses of Hot Riveting? Now that you have a decent understanding of what hot riveting is let’s take a look at its most prominent uses. It is mostly used where high strength and low weight are critical. The medical technology and automobile industries use it on a large-scale. It is also used in electronics production. Hot riveting can also be used in aircraft and window furniture. It is used for joining a wide range of materials, especially in vehicles. It has multiple uses in an automobile – the engine, door/window locking system, headlights, taillights, and control units. Any screwless joint you see can be achieved through hot riveting, as long as one of the materials to be joined is thermoplastic. Another common application of hot riveting is the permanent mounting of PCBs and other metals on houses. Final Words Welding and screwing materials together cannot be used everywhere. Hot riveting provides an effective way of creating permanent joints at low costs. It ensures consistent accuracy and top-notch quality. If you want to join two materials quickly and efficiently without spending a fortune, hot riveting is the perfect option.
Preston-based family business Readyfix has experienced steady year on year growth and as a result have further invested in a second warehouse at their premises on Croft Street. The business, which employs 35 staff, added an extra 350 pallet spaces, equivalent to the size of a football pitch, allowing the 27-year-old firm to hold onto their ‘huge stocks’ promise as they continue to grow. Started in 1992 by Richard Burwood, Readyfix supplies construction site materials, fixings and consumables to some of the country’s largest housebuilders and contractors as well as sub-contractors and independent tradespeople throughout the North of England. The company sets itself apart by offering impeccable customer service and next day/same day deliveries by their own drivers. Managing Director Greig Burwood who runs the company with his father and four brothers added, “Our primary focus is to keep to our promises; prompt response, and on-site, on-time deliveries. We have an excellent team to enable us to do this and the warehouse extension is proof that we are willing to invest to make sure our customers continue to be fully supported and their needs met.” The warehouse was under construction for six months with eight different local contractors working on the building. Sales Director Mark Burwood commented, “This new warehouse extension will enable us to offer an even better service throughout the North of England. We’re proud to serve the construction sector with our commitment to responsiveness. Our large inventory now allows us to deliver orders of stocked items even quicker to meet customer demand.”
This year, the International Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The PEFC is the world’s leading forest certification system and the standard of choice for public timber procurement policies in the UK. Its certification systems are recognised in 51 countries across the world and more than 300 million hectares of forest are managed in compliance with PEFC’s internationally accepted sustainability benchmarks. Simon Henry, Managing Director of Södra Wood Ltd, one of PEFC UK’s earliest supporters, simply summarises PEFC certification as “a must have”. PEFC UK celebrations included a birthday event recently held in Sheffield, home of PEFC UK, during which certificates were presented to a select group of supporters, including Södra Wood, as a gesture of recognition and thanks. Significantly, Södra Wood Ltd, one of 20,000 companies and organisations to have achieved PEFC Chain of Custody certification, was one of the first 15 supporters of PEFC UK back in 2001. Certificates were presented by Alun Watkins, Executive Director of PEFC UK and Ross Bradshaw, Chairman of PEFC UK. Simon Henry, recipient on behalf of Södra Wood Ltd of the fifth certificate presented, explained what makes the PEFC so important: “For any reputable timber supplier to do business with any key customer, it simply needs to be certified by the PEFC. The PEFC are custodians of the values and standards that we live by here at Södra. They, like us, are passionate about sustainable forest management and creating a strong framework for the protection of the world’s forests, while at the same time promoting a strong global timber market. It’s an organisation that we love to support.” On what the PEFC means to Södra, Simon continued: “We’re a company with a very strong moral compass and as such, we’re proud to have the badge of honour that is PEFC certification. Being recognised by the leading forest certification group is something that we’re very proud of. From our own personal business point of view, it also contributes to the work that we at Södra are trying to do to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of timber – whether that be its sustainability credentials, versatility, efficiency, or potential to help the UK meet housebuilding and emissions targets. We very much look forward to continuing our support of the PEFC. Here’s to the next 20 years and beyond!” For further information about Södra Wood please visit www.sodra.uk