A major new facility for UK timber trade has opened up on the River Medway in Kent following a £27m investment by operators Peel Ports. The site at Wellmarsh provides scope for storage, processing and handling of all timber types. The facility is based at the Port of Sheerness, which
Leading timber specialist, Arnold Laver, has significantly strengthened its doorset manufacturing capabilities, following the acquisition of the assets of Cotswold Manufacturing. Arnold Laver, part of The National Timber Group, has now started the integration of its latest production facility, located in Thornaby, near Stockton-on-Tees. The business will be branded as
The answer is that this description has simply been used in the belief that the product will be a higher quality of plywood and will be suitable for application. Marine Grade Plywood compliant with the standard BS 1088 was not originally intended for construction applications, as the name suggests, it
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
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
A recent industry survey conducted by Södra Wood has shown a definite increase in the specification of timber as a construction material in the UK, with 63% of respondents saying they believe timber is growing in popularity. The survey (hosted through Building and Building Design magazines) generated insight from almost
Parker Building Supplies (Parkers) has acquired, with the support of its strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital, the Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Limited (Stamco). Parker said that the move is a “key step” in their strategy to expand its business through a combination of acquisitions, new site development and organic growth.
Leading suppliers, manufacturers and merchants descended upon The Brewery, London earlier this month for one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the builder’s merchants’ calendar: the BMJ Industry Awards. Södra Wood had an excellent year, victorious in the Best Timber Brand category after receiving a great response in the
Södra has decided to invest in an additional CLT facility at Värö and aims to become a leader in the Nordic region. “Society’s driving forces for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong, and the interest in sustainable construction is growing in the market. A higher rate of timber construction
A record number of over 400 construction professionals gathered at ExCel, London to celebrate the 2019 Offsite Awards. As one of the most vibrant industry networking events of the year, the Offsite Awards celebrate product and service innovation, engineered by the pioneers who are taking the offsite construction industry to
A major new facility for UK timber trade has opened up on the River Medway in Kent following a £27m investment by operators Peel Ports. The site at Wellmarsh provides scope for storage, processing and handling of all timber types. The facility is based at the Port of Sheerness, which is the largest terminal of its kind in the UK, handling 1.1 million tonnes of timber and forest products a year. The port already has 40-acres of timber storage facilities and Peel Ports’ investment takes it to a total of over 50 acres. The secure base is used to supply factories, production lines, construction projects and retailers, with rapid access to London via the M2 and M20. There is a further option for international distribution. The Port of Sheerness has 11 metres of water depth with no tidal restrictions or lock system, allowing for unrestricted 24 hour berthing. Port Director Richard Goffin said: “This investment is a direct response to the interest we’ve had from throughout the construction sector in using the Port of Sheerness as the ideal location for serving the south-east construction market. As well as supporting the local business community, we’re also proud to have created a number of new permanent jobs at the port, underlining the role we play as a major employer in the region.”
Leading timber specialist, Arnold Laver, has significantly strengthened its doorset manufacturing capabilities, following the acquisition of the assets of Cotswold Manufacturing. Arnold Laver, part of The National Timber Group, has now started the integration of its latest production facility, located in Thornaby, near Stockton-on-Tees. The business will be branded as Arnold Laver and will form part of its new Intelligent Door Solutions Division. The modern, 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility specialises in producing timber fire and acoustic doors, doorsets and screens that are used throughout the UK, in the commercial, residential, education and leisure markets. David Oldfield, Director of Joinery at Arnold Laver, said: “This latest investment has strengthened our position as an industry leader in the UK timber doorset market and gives our customers more choice than ever before. Our overall group capacity now exceeds 2,000 doorsets per week, with significant room for further growth. This new investment comes at a time of increasing demand for high quality, certified products, with a greater focus on compliant fire doors. “Arnold Laver already has a solid reputation for offering a strong portfolio of products and a clear focus on quality and fire certification standards. When this is combined with the latest industry innovations on offer from the Thornaby site, including leading edge CNC equipment, lamination and factory finish line technology, it gives us the opportunity to offer a complete doorset solution to our customers. “We now have a comprehensive range of fully finished doors and doorsets, spanning commercial and residential projects. Customers are immediately feeling the benefits of this, with improved lead-times, an enhanced choice of products, as well as high manufacturing standards that often exceed third party certifications and accreditations from the likes of The BWF Fire Door Alliance, BM Trada Q-Mark, ISO 9001, Achilles and Secured by Design.” As an organisation committed to improving standards in the industry, Arnold Laver is part of the BWF Fire Door Alliance and BM Trada Third Party Door Certification schemes and works closely with all door certification bodies to continually drive quality and safety standards. The company also regularly brings together industry experts to deliver compelling and informative CPD-accredited fire door safety seminars. For further information about Arnold Laver’s range of timber doors, visit www.intelligentdoorsolutions.co.uk or call into your local depot.
The answer is that this description has simply been used in the belief that the product will be a higher quality of plywood and will be suitable for application. Marine Grade Plywood compliant with the standard BS 1088 was not originally intended for construction applications, as the name suggests, it was produced for the boat/shipbuilding industry. In today’s world the availability of legal and sustainable hardwoods to produce Marine Grade Plywood is very limited, which makes the product relatively expensive to produce. Construction specifications should be satisfied with products that are fit-for-purpose taking into account the application and the particular performance criteria required. With this in mind, Hanson Plywood have worked to develop and present a product that is specifically intended for the construction industry and offers full technical and environmental classifications. Performance Plywood® is the result of this work and is a reliably branded hardwood plywood produced specifically for construction applications. It is CE marked and tested to meet EN 636 Use Class 3 thus making it suitable for use as structural components in exterior conditions. The product carries FSC® chain of custody and is FLEGT licenced to verify legality under the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). Use in Exterior Conditions EN 636-3 specifies the requirements for plywood for use in external applications as defined in Use Class 3, where the moisture content will frequently be above 20 per cent. Use Class 3 is defined fully in EN 335:2013 but essentially it outlines situations in which wood or a wood-based product is above ground and exposed to the weather (particularly rain). The wood can be disfigured by fungi as well as attacked by wood boring insects including termites. Essential elements of plywood for EN 636–3 Bonding quality: The bonding quality of the plywood needs to comply with the requirements of Bonding Class 3 of EN 314-2. Biological durability: It is important to assess whether the durability of the plywood is sufficient for prevailing climate conditions. If it is not sufficient, then it is worth considering another solution such as the preservative treatment on the plywood. Guidance on factors affecting durability can be found in CEN/TS 1099. When specifying plywood for Use Class 3, appropriate surface and edge coating should also be considered. Legal and sustainable Performance Plywood® is imported from Indonesia and is FLEGT Licensed. Following the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s implementation of a robust timber legality assurance system (SVLK), the country has fully complied with the legal requirements set out by the European Union. Indonesia is the first country to offer FLEGT Licensed timber products that are fully compliant with EUTR requirements. In addition to this attestation to legality, the timber in Hanson Performance Plywood® is sourced from FSC® forest management units. On visiting the mill, Hanson Plywood staff came into the knowledge that the mill incorporates a robust reforestation scheme into their forest management, sustaining the forest for future generations. Performance Plywood® not only adheres to a long list of applicable standards, but also follows a strict due diligence process. This ensures the product is safe, and fit for use in a multitude of applications, specifically construction. www.hanson-plywood.co.uk
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.
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
A recent industry survey conducted by Södra Wood has shown a definite increase in the specification of timber as a construction material in the UK, with 63% of respondents saying they believe timber is growing in popularity. The survey (hosted through Building and Building Design magazines) generated insight from almost 350 architects, consultants, contractors and merchants. The objective was to ascertain whether the UK is beginning to recognise the merits of timber and the results were clear to see: 69% of those questioned said they already worked with timber 68.75% of respondents felt that timber can help meet government housebuilding and sustainability targets When asked to rank the benefits of timber in order of importance, sustainability took the lead, followed by the fact that it is a quick and efficient material to work with. Great aesthetics took third place, then versatility, cost-effectiveness and offsite capabilities. Nigel Buckley-Ryan, Sales Director, Merchants, at Södra Wood, commented: “As a timber business, we have been working hard to position the benefits of what wood can do for our construction industry – it’s really rewarding to see so many people working with timber. We believe it can help meet many sustainability and housing targets in the UK, so I’m delighted to see recognition of that. “Sustainability is something that we are very passionate about here at Södra, which is why for every tree we fell, we plant another three and operate according to a tree’s natural lifecycle. It is welcoming to see that the UK construction industry is becoming more conscious of timber’s excellent sustainability credentials.” Jeremy English, Sales Director, Manufacturing, at Södra Wood commented: “While timber’s popularity is clearly growing, there remains lots of opportunity for further development, especially in terms of timber’s offsite capabilities, and cost and time efficiencies. The interesting thing about this survey is that it also shows that work still remains to be done to raise awareness around timber’s benefits. We’ll certainly continue to build its case and, as always, endeavour to drive the industry forward.” For further information about Södra Wood please visit www.sodra.uk
Parker Building Supplies (Parkers) has acquired, with the support of its strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital, the Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Limited (Stamco). Parker said that the move is a “key step” in their strategy to expand its business through a combination of acquisitions, new site development and organic growth. Parkers aims to become the market-leading independent builders’ merchant in the South East of England. The acquisition was prompted by the retirement of owners, Mike Cullis and Roger Brightiff, who will remain in the business short-term, to ensure an effective handover and a smooth transition. Managing Director, John Cornelius, will join the Parkers senior management team to contribute to the combined company’s growth strategy. “Once Mike and I had taken the decision to retire, our priority was to find a partner with shared goals and values who would help Stamco to fulfil its potential. Both companies have common heritage, outstanding product quality and commitment to the highest standards of customer service, which makes this partnership a very good fit. We are confident that Stamco is in very capable hands and that it will continue to thrive and prosper,” commented Roger Brightiff, owner of Stamco. The acquisition offers Parkers the opportunity for geographic expansion and to extend its product range. The new enlarged business will continue to be headquarted in Polegate, Sussex, has 20 branches across Sussex and Kent, with combined revenues of more than £100 million and over 450 employees. “Our goal is to become the leader in the independent builders’ merchant sector in the South East. To do this we have been working to build a customer-focused business, with great products, outstanding customer service and a strong, expanding branch network. Stamco has very similar values and ambitions to us and a skilled and committed workforce, so this partnership offers the potential for exciting opportunities going forward,” said Chris Maityard, Parkers’ Managing Director.
Leading suppliers, manufacturers and merchants descended upon The Brewery, London earlier this month for one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the builder’s merchants’ calendar: the BMJ Industry Awards. Södra Wood had an excellent year, victorious in the Best Timber Brand category after receiving a great response in the industry voting stage. On winning the award, Södra Wood UK’s Managing Director, Simon Henry, commented: “To receive such recognition from the industry within only a couple of years of really investing in the UK market is testament to the type of business Södra is: focused on meeting industry needs, delivering sustainable timber supply and generating long-term partnerships with everyone we work with. “This award is fantastic recognition for all of the hard work and dedication of the Södra UK team. I was truly humbled at the ceremony, and I’d just like to again thank all of those who have supported Södra and voted for us. We really value the support.” The award caps off what has been a stellar 18 months for Södra. Last year, Södra celebrated its 80th anniversary and recently announced news of best-ever financial results and plans to expand its production of cross-laminated timber. Simon says this success is due, in part, to Södra’s “long-term approach.” He commented: “As a business, we’re committed to a continued focus on growth, sustainability and innovation. But central to all of that is the long-term relationships we build with the people we work with. It’s why this award is so special, because it’s voted for by those in the industry.” For more information, please visit www.sodra.uk
Södra has decided to invest in an additional CLT facility at Värö and aims to become a leader in the Nordic region. “Society’s driving forces for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong, and the interest in sustainable construction is growing in the market. A higher rate of timber construction is playing a key role in the growing bioeconomy. It is also an important step in our mission to process the wood raw material delivered by our 52,000 forest-owning members,” said Lars Idermark, President and CEO. The development of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for structural building components is about to change the construction market. Industrialisation and prefabrication enable faster on-site installation, and environmental impacts can be halved by using timber frames for the construction of multi-storey buildings instead of other material. Another benefit is that timber is perceived to promote a better indoor climate for residents. Södra Building Systems’ comprehensive offering includes building systems and products such as building components and fasteners, as well as new digital services to simplify and gain better control over the construction process. The focus is on driving the development of timber-based solutions in the construction and residential sectors. “With our technical and digital solutions for both production and finances, we are now creating the conditions for next-generation construction. We will be offering a complete product portfolio to the market, enabling us to grow together with our customers and partners,” said Jörgen Lindquist, President of the Södra Wood business area. The new facility will be established at the combined plant in Värö, where Södra’s first CLT facility has already been co-located with Södra’s pulp mills and sawmills. “Two production lines will create both delivery reliability and flexibility for our customers. Södra’s total production capacity for CLT will eventually be about 140,000 m³ per year, equivalent to 5,000 apartments. We are now creating opportunities to make a climate-conscious choice in the housing market,” said Jörgen Hermansson, President of Södra Building Systems. For further information on Södra Wood, please visit www.sodra.uk
A record number of over 400 construction professionals gathered at ExCel, London to celebrate the 2019 Offsite Awards. As one of the most vibrant industry networking events of the year, the Offsite Awards celebrate product and service innovation, engineered by the pioneers who are taking the offsite construction industry to new heights. The Structural Timber Association (STA) is proud to have been announced winner of the Health & Safety Award for the organisation’s Site Safe Policy. The award acknowledges outstanding health and safety disciplines, which empowers and protects construction professionals while enabling healthy onsite environments. Offsite Award judges were impressed by the policy strategy, which is mandatory for all STA members and is independently audited for the reassurance of insurance companies, customers and third-party warranty bodies. The policy stipulates information provision at tender stage and ensures that manufacturing members, suppliers and erectors of structural timber building systems work closely with customers to provide clear, concise information and health and safety guidance on all building sites. Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of STA adds: ‘We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award for health and safety in the offsite construction industry. Safety is paramount in manufacturing, and an easily-accessible health and safety policy that’s flexible to different company needs is pivotal to the wellbeing of providers and service users.’ The Site Safety Policy offers stand-out flexibility: the guide is divided into seven key requirements, each of which can be applied in numerous ways to enhance health and safety procedures. This means that members have the freedom to implement the key requirements in ways that suit their business models for easy integration. STA has also recently updated the policy to ensure that that the requirements are flexible and appropriate for all buildings, regardless of size and location. The policy applies to all structural timber building system members, including offsite manufacturers, fabricators, contractors and installers who work with principal contractors. Members are audited to ensure they are achieving the functional requirements of the Site Safe Policy. Both the policy and the audit process have been developed over many years to support members and provide professional building system provider services. By following the policy, members can engage with customers and enable the best project outcomes. The strategy creates a clear distinction in the expected health and safety processes of members and non-members within the offsite manufacturing sector. To find out how STA membership could benefit your company go to: http://www.structuraltimber.co.uk/members/benefits
