Timber Development UK

20/05/2026

The latest Construction Products Association State of Trade Survey makes for sobering reading.

After a challenging start to 2026, both heavyside and lightside construction product manufacturers reported declining sales in Q1 — the first time both segments have seen a downturn at the same time since the end of 2023.

Rising raw material, fuel and energy costs continue to put pressure on the sector, while wider economic uncertainty, delayed project starts and weaker buyer confidence are all adding to the strain. For manufacturers, merchants and the wider supply chain, demand remains the biggest immediate concern.

The findings underline just how fragile market confidence remains, particularly in sectors reliant on major upfront investment such as housebuilding, commercial and industrial construction.

Key findings include:
• 14% of heavyside firms reported lower sales compared with Q4 2025
• 18% of lightside firms saw sales decline
• All manufacturers reported year-on-year cost increases
• Demand was identified as the biggest short-term constraint.

👉 TDUK members can log in to read the full CPA State of Trade Survey analysis here:

It has been a difficult three months for the UK construction industry according to the latest Construction Products Association State of Trade Survey. Both heavyside and lightside manufacturers reported declining sales compared with Q4 2025, which is the first time that sales have declined for both....

19/05/2026

The Government’s consultation on proposed changes to the General Safety Requirement (GSR) for construction products closes to feedback tomorrow.

The proposals could have significant implications across the supply chain, including expanded regulatory powers, enforcement action, product recalls and new compliance expectations.

While manufacturers, importers and distributors will be directly affected, some product suppliers may also have a strong case for responding where existing sector-specific standards and recognised best practice need to be properly reflected in the final framework.

Our latest Trade Note explains what’s being proposed, the expected timetable for implementation, and why this consultation matters.

If your business manufactures, imports, distributes or supplies products into the construction market, now is the time to understand what’s changing and make your voice heard.

Read more here: https://timberdevelopment.uk/resources/tduk-trade-note-consultation-on-general-safety-requirements-for-construction-products/

07/05/2026

🖊️ Sign up now for the next   webinar – and learn how timber has been ingeniously used to create a landmark public boardwalk.

🌉 Rafter Walk is a 170-m long hybrid timber-steel bridge that winds across a revitalised London dock. Combining a steel primary structure with sustainably sourced tropical hardwood for the balustrade, deck and substructure, the project showcases how timber and steel can work together in complex geometries to create robust public infrastructure.

🗓 Wednesday 13 May
⏰️ 1-2 pm
🎟 Free to attend

👨‍💻 Join this lunchtime talk and learn all about the structural design and fabrication of this unique timber project from structural engineer Gioele Nunziatini  and specialist timber contractor Martin Self 

✍️ Register your place on this webinar at our events page

     

01/05/2026

The Wood Awards celebrate the very best in timber design, from groundbreaking buildings to beautifully crafted furniture 🌿

What sets the Awards apart is its unrivalled judging process. Across two expert panels, architects, engineers, designers and makers are judged by their peers, bringing integrity and insight to every decision.

Meet the 2026 Judges

🏗️ Building Awards
Led by Jim Greaves (Hopkins Architects), with experts across architecture, engineering, design and journalism, the panel visit each shortlisted project in person.

🔸 Kirsten Haggart (Waugh Thistleton Architects)
🔹 Andrew Lawrence (Arup)
🔸 Sasha Bhavan (Knox Bhavan Architects)
🔹 Nathan Wheatley (Engenuiti)
🔸 Jonas Lencer (dRMM)
🔹 Ruth Slavid (Architectural Journalist)
🔸 David Morley (David Morley Architects)
🔹 Andrew Trotman (Timberwright)
🔸 Dr Neil Smith (Max Fordham)

 

🪑 Furniture & Object Awards
Led by Sebastian Cox, with leading designers, makers, curators and critics. Each piece is assessed in person - considering craftsmanship, innovation and material excellence.

🔸 Sophie Sellu (Grain & Knot)
🔹 Hugo Macdonald (Critic & Curator)
🔸 Caroline Till (FranklinTill)
🔹 Henry Tadros (Ercol Furniture)
🔸 Johanna Agerman Ross (Design Museum)

From emerging makers to established practices, the Awards champion talent at every level.

Entries close 22 May 2026.
Enter now via link in bio.



Photo credits:
Pebble Jumble
Designer: Lore Group Design Team / Jan Hendzel Studio
Photographer: Fergus Coyle

Amento
Architect: James Gorst Architects
Photographer: James Retief

29/04/2026

Tilhill Forestry, a member of BSW Group, has successfully trialled an automated tree planting machine, PlantMax, to support the future delivery of new woodlands.

As demand for woodland creation increases – driven by climate goals, biodiversity recovery, timber security and sustainable land use – the forestry sector is being challenged to deliver planting programmes at scale and pace, all while maintaining high establishment standards.

The exploration of automated planting is designed to support manual planting. With expertise spanning tree nurseries, woodland management, harvesting operations and restocking, Tilhill is well placed to assess mechanised planting within the wider context of seedling quality, site preparation and long-term woodland performance.

This all helps to ensure that innovation is applied responsibly and effectively – strengthening the long-term resilience and delivery capacity of the UK forestry sector.

👉 Read more:

Tilhill Forestry, a member of BSW Group, has successfully trialled the automated tree planting machine, PlantMax, to support the future delivery of new woodlands.

24/04/2026

In this article from the recent issue of Supplying Timber magazine, we learn more about TDUK member Vida Wood UK.

As the company celebrates 25 years in the UK, we look back at how the business has grown and its role as a leading supplier of TR26 and CLS timber.

When Vida Wood UK’s Managing Director, Ian Drane, approached Vida Wood’s senior leadership team in Sweden in 2001 with the idea of establishing a dedicated UK operation, it was based on his market experience and a conviction that closer alignment between production and end users could better serve British customers.

Some 25 years later, that conversation has created one of the most significant Scandinavian supply operations serving the British timber sector.

👉 Read more: https://timberdevelopment.uk/member-profile/vida-wood-uk-ltd/

23/04/2026

Timber Development UK is pleased to be supporting the Trussed Rafter Association today at their annual AGM and Members’ Day in Solihull.

The theme of the day is ‘Survive to Thrive’, with a series of speakers and workshops looking at how the trussed rafter sector can work together to grow and promote best practice despite the challenging market.

The keynote speaker today is Chris Maityard from Moorgate Management Limited, who brought with him his years of experience in running businesses right across the sector.

Chris brought “realism and positivity” to the room, exploring the challenges that currently face the trussed rafter sector and how TRA members – and every business in the built environment sector – can protect their business and get into the best possible shape to help them reach the upturn in the new housing cycle, whenever it may come.

He explored the most common strategic, operational and financial issues that businesses face, and offered practical advice on how to guard against them, from implementing a 13-week cash flow, to checking that your ERP system is fit for purpose, and making sure the people within your business are empowered to make decisions.

23/04/2026

🪵 ♻️ Reusing timber locks in carbon, reduces reliance on virgin materials, and supports a circular built environment – but what will it take to make timber reuse a viable and scalable part of structural design?

The panel session “Design for Timber Reuse” will explore how a resource-led approach is reshaping engineering practice by using reclaimed timber in ambitious new projects.

Speakers will highlight how reused timber is being deployed across a range of structures and products - from the Marlborough Sports Garden and Durley Chine Environmental Hub to innovative work using timber recovered from demolition for new mass timber products.

Along with sharing insights from working at the forefront of reuse, the panel will discuss the broader systems needed to scale timber reuse - from design and specification strategies to data availability, skills and supply chains.

Join the discussion at the UK Timber Design Conference – tickets can be booked at link in bio

🎙️ Speakers:

🔹️ Brogan MacDonald, Head of Sustainability (Structures), Ramboll (Chair)
🔸️ Steve Peet, Associate Director, Engenuiti
🔹️ Colin Rose, Founding Partner, UK CLT / Lecturer, Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction
🔸️ Ben Moss, Director of Building Structures, WSP

17/04/2026

🪵 In an article from our latest issue of Supplying Timber magazine, Robin Nicholson from Buckland Timber - a Grown in Britain certificate holder - shares his thoughts on homegrown C16 and how there’s more scope for using UK-grown timber in our construction projects than you might think. 🪵

Despite the availability of quality, sustainable, homegrown alternatives, approximately 80% of the timber used in the UK is still imported.

Across the supply chain – from timber merchants and sawmillers to manufacturers and construction firms – there’s growing recognition that local timber sources here in the UK can deliver tangible benefits. These include reduced carbon footprints, lower costs, more secure supply chains, and meeting the increasing customer demand for sustainable products.

👉 Read more at our website:

Robin Nicholson from Buckland Timber, a Grown in Britain certificate holder, shares his thoughts on homegrown C16 and how there's more scope for using UK-grown timber than you might think.

17/04/2026

⚖️ How can we use timber intelligently and conscientiously to create a healthier built environment?

The UK Timber Design Conference session “A Healthy Balance: Resource-Conscious Timber Design” will explore this question through real-world practice and cutting-edge research.

The session will present the Velindre Cancer Centre – a hybrid timber hospital demonstrating how low-carbon design, material efficiency, and user wellbeing can be successfully integrated to meet high sustainability goals and a new standard in healthcare.

We will also introduce the pioneering research project ‘Using Wood Well’, which proposes new metrics for evaluating both the efficiency and sufficiency of timber use – challenging us to rethink how we can build better with wood, keeping the health of our forests in mind.

Bringing together leading voices in timber architecture and engineering, this session will explore how principles of resource-conscious design can be applied in practice to create buildings that support both people and planet.

Speakers:

🔹 Alastair Ogle, Senior Associate, Waugh Thistleton
🔸 Adrian Campbell, Founder + Director, changebuilding
🔹 Michael Woodford, Partner + Director of London Office, White Arkitekter

Book your tickets for the UK Timber Design Conference at the link in the bio

🗓️ Thursday 2 July 2026
📍 One Birdcage Walk, London

         TimberHospital