NYTimber’s Mill Manager, Scott Harrison, and Warehouse Supervisor Trainee, Dan Hulme, both based at the NYTimber manufacturing and distribution centre at Catterick, have achieved the certificate of proficiency in visual strength grading of softwood to British Standard 4978.
Nick Kershaw, Managing Director of timber importer and merchant NYTimber said: “There’s a growing demand for structural graded timber. With Scott and Dan we now have seven qualified staff in our grading team which has improved our ability to deliver specially graded timbers quickly to customer requirements and to provide service advice to our seven sales centres.”
NYTimber enlisted the services of TFT Woodexperts Limited in Ripon to deliver bespoke grader training to prepare Scott and Dan for the exam.
Jim Coulson, Director at TFT Woodexperts Limited said: “It is quite an achievement for Scott and Dan to get through this tough exam at their first attempt, and the qualification commands respect in the timber world.
“The grader training consists of an intense few days of learning, acquiring new knowledge about timber and developing the skills to accurately grade timber for structural use — a situation where safety is paramount so the grading needs to be precise.”
Staff training is part of NYTimber’s ongoing investment at its 100,000sqft manufacturing and distribution centre which also includes new moulder technology for bespoke machining and additional roof truss presses to increase its manufacturing capability.
“As timber experts of 38 years and counting we are committed to the training and development of all our employees,” Nick Kershaw added.
“We want to ensure we have the correct level of expertise within our business to take full advantage of future opportunities as the construction industry increasingly looks to timber construction and off site manufacturing.”
