Timber Update February 2021

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2021. The start of the year has not been without its challenges; with disruptive weather conditions and noticeable repercussions from the UK leaving the EU. Demand for timber products continues to be strong from most sectors, with a continued recovery in house building and companies stocking-up for the start of the fencing and landscaping season.

To view our updates from the last year, click here.

• There has been disruption at a number of ports due to UK exporters not having the correct procedures in place. This is reported to be easing as the industry comes to terms with the new requirements.
• The cost of shipping containers from China to UK ports has risen by as much as 600% from normal levels. With only some shipping companies prepared to offer sailings to the UK, it has become an ‘auction’ for space on vessels. Containers are in seriously short supply and there is no end in sight, resulting in adverse impacts on the costs and availability of many imports.
• A new regulator to monitor the safety of different construction products has been announced by housing secretary, Robert Jenrick. The regulator will operate within the Office for Product Safety and Standards, which will be expanded and given up to £10m in funding to establish the new function. It will be led by a panel of yet-to-be determined experts with regulatory, technical and construction industry experience and will report later this year with recommendations.

To read more about the new product regulator, click here.

• Stocks of C24 have improved but still remain tight, while graded battens and CLS stocks are still very low.
• Delays continue on haulage from the European Union, as ports remain congested with Brexit related delays.
• In partnership with the Royal Geographical Society, BBC4 presents the podcast ‘39 Ways to Save our Planet’. ‘Wood for Good’ is a recent episode that looks at ways to relieve the stress that climate change is exerting on the planet.

To listen to the 'Wood for Good' episode, click here.

There will be a new Oak/Slate HD Dual Composite Prime deck board for the 2021 season.

All of our regular stocks of Composite Prime are now in place and ready for the 2021 season, with new distributors welcome.

To speak to one of our team, click here.