Trade bodies join forces to launch Confederation of Timber Industries
A new trade association is to launch in June to represent both the woodworking and timber industries together.
The Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) is the result of collaboration between the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and the Timber Trade Federation (TTF), and the new umbrella body will go live on 10 June.
“The exciting part is not just that we have a clear and consistent vision for a growing and vibrant timber industry, but how well we complement one another as organisations and just how closely we share the core values essential to securing this future,” said Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the TTF.
“We have a fantastic steering committee in place and are making good progress. For BWF we have been growing in terms of both influence and membership, but linking up with the TTF is the next and natural step and helps ensure that the voice of our members is heard both at home and in Europe.”
Chief executive of the BWF, David Lennan added: “The Confederation of the Timber Industries is shaping up to be a world-leading trade association that will ensure all the good work this industry does is better co-ordinated and communicated up and down the supply chain. The voice of timber industry will be heard by a new Government and in the EU. These are exciting times for timber and timber representation.”
The concept of CTI has been “widely and enthusiastically” supported by both BWF and TTF members and stakeholders, the two organisations said. The collaboration is seen as a big and necessary step for the timber and woodworking industries to move forward and get issues to the top of the national agenda.
The BWF has almost 700 members drawn from manufacturers, distributors and installers of timber doors, windows, conservatories, staircases, furniture, all forms of architectural joinery including shop-fitting, timber frame buildings and engineered timber components, as well as suppliers to the industry.
Over the last three years, the organisation has grown by about 40%, increasing in influence and picking up a number of high-profile awards.
The TTF has around 350 members and promotes timber as the world’s leading renewable, low carbon construction material through the political, promotional and technical representation of its members’ interests. Representing all sectors of the timber industry in the UK, including importers of wood and wood products to builders merchants and forest owners around the globe.
