The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has launched a new ‘Made in Britain’ initiative for use by its joinery manufacturing and woodworking member firms to promote their role in bolstering the British manufacturing industry.
Speaking at the annual dinner at the W16 exhibition this week, Acting President Sean Parnaby said: “The BWF is proud to be a manufacturers’ organisation and we must do more to promote the strength of domestic manufacturing.
“This is not an inward looking campaign, it is a rally call. The joinery and woodworking industry needs to be recognised for the value we offer, to use our collective voice to influence the commercial and political environment post Brexit. We are proud to be BWF members and British Makers, and it is critical that we work together to promote the benefits that we deliver to the market and the wider economy.”
The woodworking industry is a key part of the UK’s manufacturing sector. BWF members supply products into almost every major construction project, with private housing, commercial and domestic repair, maintenance and improvement markets the most significant users.
The UK joinery market is worth about £3.8 billion a year, with an estimated 60,000 employees and the highest ratio of apprentices in the construction sector. In its widest sense woodworking (combining carpentry and joinery), remains the highest sector of employment in construction. BWF represents more than 700 member firms accounting for a combined turnover of over £1 billion a year.
For more information, visit: www.bwf.org.uk
