Building on their ground-breaking Trust UK C16 campaign to champion UK timber, the country’s three largest sawmillers – BSW Timber, James Jones & Sons, and Glennon Brothers – have now announced a partnership with the country’s leading construction industry bodies.
As a collective, the Trust UK C16 Campaign is now working strategically with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) and Institute of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
Aimed primarily at architects and structural engineers, the renewed campaign seeks to raise awareness of the benefits and strategic importance of domestically grown and manufactured timber across the construction industry, reducing the UK’s reliance on imported materials.
Last October – in an industry first – the UK’s three leading sawmillers joined forces in a landmark collaboration, calling for collective action to rebalance supply chains and futureproof the UK’s timber supply. Reflecting their continued commitment, the trio will now work alongside the UK’s leading bodies of architects and structural engineers to ensure that homegrown timber is understood and specified throughout the construction process, from design and planning through to the build stage.
Despite the UK having a world-class sawmilling industry, it is the second-largest net importer of forest products globally, with 80% (worth £9 billion) of its requirements imported annually. This over-reliance on imported timber not only weakens our domestic industry, but also undermines environmental progress, contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions, and reduces the potential for rural job creation.
Targeting architects and structural engineers through a series of educational events, such as a landmark report and industry roundtables, this campaign will continue to bolster knowledge and support for reducing reliance on timber imports and futureproofing the UK’s supply.
At the heart of the campaign is C16 graded timber, grown and manufactured in the UK. C16 timber is suitable for most standard construction applications, offering strength, versatility, and lower embodied carbon than many imported alternatives, such as C24 timber. As a renewable, biophilic material, it supports wellbeing and contributes positively to the built environment, which currently accounts for around 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions.
John Ward, corporate partnerships manager at RIBA, said: “We are delighted to be aligned with the Trust UK C16 Timber Campaign. We look forward to supporting the delivery of this important initiative to the architectural community, highlighting the economic and sustainability benefits of growing, manufacturing and specifying UK-grown timber.”
A spokesperson at RIAS added: “Confor is a valued partner of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, and a crucial voice in promoting the use of timber as a beautiful and sustainable building material. We are delighted to support the C16 Campaign, and to help raise awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of using UK timber.”
Since its launch late last year, the campaign has seen unprecedented support from industry stakeholders, the media and political figures alike. Acknowledged in ministerial speeches, it supports the UK Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap, alongside environmental and economic goals. Backed by leading trade bodies Confor (Confederation of Forest Industries) and Timber Development UK (TDUK), the initiative is a call to action for a more sustainable, economically sound future for the UK construction sector.
In her speech to the recent Confor Policy Conference, Minister for Nature Mary Creagh MP said: “I want to acknowledge the C16 campaign – a powerful example of how industry can lead the way in driving progress.
“This collaboration to promote the use of domestically grown and manufactured timber supports the Timber in Construction Roadmap and aligns with national goals for decarbonisation, economic growth, and forestry expansion.”
Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive at Confor, added: “The response we’ve seen to our campaign so far has been staggering, which really goes to show the impact we can make when we unite as an industry.
“We’re delighted to be extending this collaboration to IStructE, RIAS and RIBA, the UK’s leading bodies for structural engineers and architects.
“If we want to futureproof our domestic timber supply for the built environment, and become more self-sufficient, it’s vital to have buy-in from the planning stages, all the way through to completion. We’re excited to continue bringing UK timber to the forefront.”
