September 2002

Morley Gives Strong Backing To Timber Trade Federation

Speaking in Birmingham (Thursday 19 September) UK Forestry Minister Elliot Morley MP, praised the Timber Trade Federation's Conduct Assurance Scheme and endorsed the wood.for good campaign efforts to promote timber as an environmentally friendly and sustainable material.

Mr Morely said, " We have been very appreciative of the Timber Trade Federation's commitment to ensuring that timber imports by its member companies come from legal and well-managed forests.

Your excellent Code of Conduct covers many other business and customer issues. But sustainable wood sourcing is highly distinctive to your sector and vitally important to its reputation. I think confidence about its source will actually free designers to choose wood solutions without fear from misguided criticism for encouraging tree felling."

Mr Morely also praised the work of the Federation in developing the UK Forest Industries Sustainability Strategy and the Government's Timber Procurement Policy.

Click here to read the full text of Elliot Morley's speech

DG Calls on TTF Members to Respond to Sustainability Agenda

At the Timber Trade Federation's Conference in Birmingham (Thursday 19 September) the Director General Paul Martin called on member companies to respond to the sustainability agenda, which would make them more competitive, flexible, efficient, and able to attract and retain customers as well as employees.

He called on member companies to ensure that they were fully compliant with their legal responsibilities here and abroad and to ensure that their operations were as efficient as they possibly could be in terms of reduced transport and energy costs.
He also called on Members to begin regular environmental reporting which would deliver three objectives:

• Business benefits will accrue through meeting expectations of existing customers; assist in identifying efficiencies and cost savings; reduce future environmental liabilities and allow for easier access to capital markets.
  
• Improved performance results from the discipline of transparent reporting with better management of data and the setting of future targets.
  

An improving environmental record provides public evidence of commitment to change and progress and leads to an enhanced reputation.

New President Elected

The Timber Trade Federation has elected Geoff Rhodes as its new President at its Annual General Meeting (Thursday 19 September, Hotel Du Vin Birmingham). Geoff is the Marketing and Sales Director of Weyerhaeuser Europe and in his conference speech he outlined his priorities for the next two years.

These include: relocating the Federation's offices; increasing cooperation with other timber trade associations in the UK and abroad; developing an extensive photographic database of timber and timber products; an initiative to encourage new graduates into the timber sector; the strengthening of the Forest Education Initiative; the consolidation of the Conduct Assurance Scheme and the furthering of relations with the Government and the media.

In addition John Tong, the Managing Director of Finnforest UK was elected Vice- President and Charles Sherborne of Sydenhams Ltd was elected Honorary Treasurer.