The Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) was recently launched, in front of an enthusiastic audience at the Building Centre in London.
The industry has waited a long time to find a stronger representative voice to act as an umbrella organisation, representing the timber supply chain from forest to end of life recycling and energy recovery.
Dirk Vennix, new CTI Chief Executive, said: “It will be a long journey but I am ready for this challenge”. “CTI’s vision is all about growing the supply chain and the market, nurturing the skills in education and the sustainability agenda. Wood needs to become the product of first choice. We can achieve this target together”, he added.
Dr Peter Bonfield, CEO of BRE, launched CTI by saying: “This industry has needed a stronger joined up voice for a very long time. This is a great moment for the timberiIndustries to demonstrate their combined strength and showcase the industry. The industry needs to move to the top of the agenda with specifiers, designers and constructors and becomes a first choice construction product. This is an historic day, which we should all embrace to make CTI the success we all need it to be”.
The timber supply chain contributes substantially to the UK construction and manufacturing industries, providing jobs across the skills spectrum and adding value of £20bn to the UK economy. CTI will focus on a number of key projects to influence the development and growth of construction, housing and interiors using wood based products and growing the UK’s low carbon economy.
The research, science, development and employment of such a universal material demand a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce across the entire supply chain. Pressure for skills across the industry will grow in line with population increase. Consequently, CTI needs to ensure that timber leads the way in 21st Century construction and related industries.
