Forestry & British Timber articles from April 2003

Forestry & British Timber archives from April 2003

DG takes aim at long-term targets.(David Bills, director general of the Forestry Commision )(Transcript)
April 7, 2003... `I could take issue with most of the points raised by David Ogg in last month's edition' (p16), writes director general David Bills, in defence of the Forestry Commission. `However, I doubt your letters page (see also p10) has enough room, so...

No immediate change to grants in England.(Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme)
April 7, 2003... The Forestry Commission has announced that there will be no substantial changes to the range of grants provided through the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) in England until 2005. As a result, the two closing dates for new planting applications in...

Jewels in FSC's crown.(Balmoral Estate receives certification from Forestry Stewardship Council, United Kingdom)
April 7, 2003... `The diversity and richness of species give these woodlands special importance and the trees are a unique record of history'. Anna Jenkins, Forestry Stewardship Council-UK director was expressing her `delight' that the Balmoral Estate had...

Making woods work for rural areas.
April 7, 2003... `Many of Scotland's more remote rural areas are economically fragile and we need to ensure the most is made of all opportunities to develop local skills and natural resources in a way that maximises local wealth creation'. Scottish...

Scottish WOODfair in Perth.(forest industry event to be held)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Last May, more than 5000 people thronged to the first Scottish WOODfair at Perth's Dewar's Centre to see wood, sustainably grown in Scottish forests, turned into a wide range of products from fine, hand-crafted furniture to house frames and...

Woodfair goes live.(Yorkshire Woodfair 2003 to form part of the new YAS event)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... With the promise of a `better show for exhibitor and visitor alike', Yorwoods director Martin Glynn announces that the Yorkshire Woodfair 2003 will form part of the new YAS event, `Countryside live!'. To be staged at the Great Yorkshire...

Changes at Jas P Wilson.(decision to subcontract haulage work results in redundancies)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... `This change is purely down to economics. Sub-contractors performed the work for us in the past and after four years of running our own trucks, we now find it more attractive to take that route again'. John Wilson of Jas P Wilson was...

FCA united on `two-way' move.(Forestry Contracting Association )
April 7, 2003... The Forestry Contracting Association (FCA) is to be split into two separate but linked bodies. One will run - as at present - as a membership operation and a second company will be formed as a trading operation. Both moves were recommended in...

Double first at Falkirk.(James Callender & Son Ltd )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... By installing a new timber-treatment facility linked to the use of environmentally friendly Tanalith E - rather than CCA (chromated copper arsenate) preservative - James Callender & Son Ltd of Bainsford, Falkirk have won a `double-first' for a...

Custodial confirmation.(W.L. West & Sons Ltd)
April 7, 2003... Latest prestigious addition to the growing list of timber industry names benefiting from FSC chain-of-custody certification is the two- hundred-year West Sussex sawmiller W.L. West & Sons Ltd*. It will cover its through-and-through timber and...

Balancing Wales' carbon budget.(research scientists to study how climate change in wales will affect trees)
April 7, 2003... How will trees react to climate change conditions anticipated in Wales? That is the question that research scientists will be seeking to answer at the University of Wales Bangor following a major funding award to establish a `unique facility'...

Satisfied customer?(survey to find what customers think of current timber market standards)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Builders' suppliers and timber merchants are being asked to take part in a survey to find out what customers think of current market standards. It is being carried out by TRADA Technology through the Business Solutions Group. It wants to...

Obey the highway code.(use of public roads by timber lorries, Scotland)
April 7, 2003... `Go and no-go' roads for carrying the region's log harvest to processing mills are pinpointed in a new `agreed routes' map covering Ayrshire and Arran. Its publication follows two years' work by partners in the local forestry, timber and...

Creosote - old vs `new'.(wood preservation)
April 7, 2003... Although coal-tar creosote will be withdrawn from sale to the general public on June 30 this year, it will still be available to professional users in 20-litre and larger sizes. This assurance comes from the British Wood Preserving and...

New men at the top.(UK Forestry Commission appointments new Directors for England, Scotland and Wales)
April 7, 2003... The post-devolutionary years have seen many changes in the structure and running of the UK economy, not least in the public-sector forestry industry within the three mainland countries. In the latter, this has been targeted at achieving greater...

Simon scales the fence.(Simon Ashton appointed CEO, Forest Garden PLC)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... With a career background in the retail servicing sector, Simon Ashton has been named by Forest Garden plc (FG) as its new chief executive. Claimed as UK market leader in the decorative garden timber products sector and owners of the Larch-Lap...

Obituary: Peter Baker.(chainsaw industry figure and former managing director of Andreas Stihl Ltd.)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 7, 2003... It is with sadness that we report the death of Peter Baker, a well- known figure in the chainsaw industry and at forestry exhibitions and conferences. Former managing director of Andreas Stihl Ltd, which he established in Britain 25 years ago...

Playing a round.(Foresters Golfing Society to meet at Peebles Golf Club)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... If you are a golfer, with a forestry connection, you are invited to join the Foresters Golfing Society when it next meets on Thursday May 8 at Peebles Golf Club. New members are always welcome. Peebles Golf Club is described as `a prime...

From Sweden to Finland.(Timberjack to relocate production of forestry machinery)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... From the end of August this year, European output of Timberjack forestry machinery will take place under one roof. This follows the decision of the company, a Deere & Co subsidiary, to close its Filipstad, Sweden factory and move harvester and...

Last link in the chain.(international system for promoting sustainable forest management)
April 7, 2003... `This is exciting news. It has taken two years to put the last link in the chain, maintaining free access to the market for timber and wood- based-products': in other words, the creation of a UK `branch' of PEFC, the international system for...

Updated UKWAS site.(UK Woodland Assurance Standard)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Latest news, links to related sites and how to ease access to forest certification for small woods have been added to the new UK Woodland Assurance Standard website. Updated and relaunched, the new site continues to offer UKWAS information, its...

Wider appeal.
April 7, 2003... Long-established as suppliers of specialist protective clothing, tools and equipment for forestry and tree-care professionals, Haslemere, Surrey-based Charterhouse Richmond (CR) has widened its customer appeal to embrace those in the...

Letter: Forestry contractor an endangered species.(Letter to the Editor)
April 7, 2003... From Barrie Hudson `Sir, David Ogg's article in the March issue (p16) on the forestry contractor as an endangered species, is one that strikes home to all of us who deal with contracting issues on a daily basis. FCA members know only...

Letter: Endangered but not extinct!(Letter to the Editor)
April 7, 2003... From David Ogg `Sir, The reaction to my article in last month's FBT has been wide- reaching and varied but falls into two distinct categories. The private sector has reacted with great enthusiasm and applause. I have received letters,...

Letter: In forestry for nearly 40 years.(Letter to the Editor)
April 7, 2003... From Mike Read `Sir, I just had to put pen to paper after reading your March edition. "Congratulations" I feel I am part of the real world again. I have worked in forestry for nearly 40 years from weeding with a grass hook to drawing up...

Slowdown affects Ligna.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The organizers of Ligna, the biggest timber and wood-based panel products technology exhibition in the world, expect visitor numbers this year to be hit by the economic slowdown in Germany. However, they believe that overseas interest in the...

Poor show, strong market.(Contract Flooring Show)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Exhibitors at the Contract Flooring Show in London were disappointed at the visitor turnout, but they maintained that the low attendance belied booming demand for timber flooring. Visitor numbers were down to just 612, compared with 757 at...

Early interest in awards.(Wood Awards)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The first entries are already coming in for this year's Wood Awards, which recognize achievement in general joinery and timber construction projects. Previously the Carpenters' Awards, the event is being backed, among others by the Timber Trade...

High tech timber frame.(energy efficient Super-E house in Scotland)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The first Super-E high tech timber frame home in Scotland has been officially unveiled. The energy efficient Super-E houses are made in Canada and shipped to the UK in containers. The first in the country were built last year in West...

WestBank opens west depot.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Importer WestBank Timber has undertaken its biggest investment ever, opening a second terminal facility in Newport. The company has operated solely out of Ipswich for the last seven years, but said that rapid expansion in its value-added timber...

Vertex goes.(receivership)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The troubled Vertex chipboard business has gone into receivership. The Shildon company was launched last year after the acquisition of the assets of George Reynolds UK by managing director Joe Martoccia and three partners. However Vertex...

Funding for flooring.(Atkinson & Kirby investments)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Timber flooring specialist Atkinson & Kirby is investing #50000 to keep up with growing demand in its solid wood strip products. The company is investing in a new IT system and upgrading its re-saw shed. The company, which became part...

Hoppings spends #1m.(Hoppings Softwood Products PLC's new facility)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Timber merchant Hoppings Softwood Products plc has invested #1m in its new facility at Lingfield in Kent. The company has sold its Welling premises as part of a major restructure and says that the development at Lingfield will substantially...

Jewson Hull move.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Timber and builders merchant giant Jewson has completed the switch of its timber importing operations from Ipswich to Hull. The company has spent #600,000 on new storage facilities at Hull and has now closed its Cliff Quay operation in...

TFA soars.(Timber Frame Association )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The UK Timber Frame Association is attracting new members at a rate of one every 11 days. The organisation, formed last year from the merger of two earlier industry organisations, now has 140 members and climbing. UKTFA chief executive...

American Plywood quits UK.(Engineered Wood Association shuts UK office)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The organisation which represents and markets American plywood overseas, The Engineered Wood Association (APA), is closing its European office in the UK. The APA is also shutting down its branches in Mexico and Japan and earlier pulled its...

Some cause for optimism?(UK forest products industry)(Industry Overview)
April 7, 2003... Trading conditions for most sectors of the UK forest products industry were generally difficult for the whole of 2002, with reasonably strong demand but poor profitability throughout the supply chain as a result of increased competitive...

FCAP future uncertain.(future of Forestry Commission Advisory Panel's Supply & Demand sub-committee in question)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The first of the four meetings held each year by the Forestry Commission Advisory Panel - Supply & Demand sub-committee is traditionally used to review the previous year's trading as well as assessing conditions at the start of the New Year....

WoodWISE: The view from the sharp end.(Editorial)
April 7, 2003... `Oggy, Oggy, Oggy, oi, oi, oi!' says our monthly contracting contributor Nick Hilton of Woodwise Forestry*. And why not? At last another voice joins the battle of the weary downtrodden contractor. I refer, of course, to David Ogg's...

WINDBLOW & TIMBER QUALITY 2.
April 7, 2003... In the second part of his feature, Shaun Mochan, timber quality project manager, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, gives an insight into recent work on the quality of wood in windblown Sitka spruce. The longer winter nights and...

KEEPING ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
April 7, 2003... The current method of fitting bandtracks to harvesting machinery has been perceived by the Forestry Commission, Forest Operations Training Centre to potentially be an unsafe operation. It involves two tensioning chains to connect the tracks and...

A question of stability.
April 7, 2003... Timber haulage operators, already bogged down by red tape and under financial pressure, could find themselves wide open to criticism or even prosecution, should an accident occur involving a vehicle rolling over while its lorry loader is being...

Code of the road.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... `This will greatly enhance the role of road haulage as a strength in the British timber supply chain'. Richard Scott was speaking at the launch of the new Road Haulage Working Party (RHWP) code of practice* on the safety and standards of...

Handy indications.
April 7, 2003... The 510 FreeWeigh hand-held weight indicator from PM Onboard was launched last year and is proving useful for hauliers in situations where remote weight readings are needed. Light and small, the PM 510 FreeWeigh works in conjunction with...

Irish hauliers lose weight.(Barker Haulage )
April 7, 2003... Conditions for timber hauliers in Ireland have worsened dramatically over the past year. Main grievances relate to rising costs and static rates, obviously creating a very difficult situation with their long- term effects on business viability....

Direct sowing conifer tree seeds.
April 7, 2003... Renewed interest in direct seed sowing for establishing trees in forests has prompted a re-examination of recent developments in this area by Forest Research staff and the creation of several new sets of field trials and experiments. In lowland...

4 x 4 Market Update.(Industry Overview)
April 7, 2003... 2002 was another boom year for both car and 4x4's sales. Whilst the Freelander was once again the best-seller, many changes in sales positions took place further down the sales table as our man behind the wheel Eamonn Wall reports. Overall...

Pole position.(Polaris Industries Inc)
April 7, 2003... In September 2002, Polaris Industries Inc. took over all aspects of the distribution of its products in the UK through a new, wholly-owned subsidiary, Polaris Britain* with veteran Jack Ford at the helm. Polaris has a dominant position in the...

Has your ATV been Warned?
April 7, 2003... Details of the latest range of Warn ATV accessories are published in their new catalogue available through UK and Ireland importer Arbil Automotive*. The American manufacturer has been producing a wide range of products for ATVs - including...

Softrak - a hard act to follow.
April 7, 2003... Loglogic's* all-terrain vehicle, Softrak `extends the frontiers of extreme access to the remotest locations', according to the company's Graham Mitchell. They are in use across the UK, with such organisations as English Nature, Countryside...

Kawasaki's Spring special.(Advertisement)
April 7, 2003... Kawasaki is offering commercial ATV customers an attractive financial kick-start to the new season with a 0% finance deal on all models in the range. This comes on the the back of record ATV sales in the UK during 2002. The deal offers...

ATV or tractor? You decide.
April 7, 2003... Forestry and fencing contractor, Bill Beaty has been in business for over 20 years and although based in a small village in the Scottish borders, he travels the length and breadth of the country. `We've used quad bikes to do all types of...

Climbing to the top of the class.
April 7, 2003... The Eiger 400 is now Suzuki's* most popular forestry ATV. It is available with `QuadMatic' fully automatic, continuously variable, transmission with engine braking or five speed manual transmission. Both have selectable two- or four-wheel drive...

MG hop on the estate bandwagon.(review of the MG ZT-T CDTi)
April 7, 2003... MG has joined the increasingly popular ranks of manufacturers offering diesel estates with their first ever model the MG ZT-T CDTi. Eamonn Wall couldn't resist... MG Rover first introduced their latest MG cars at the Geneva Motor Show back...