How Bradfords Building Supplies transformed its specialist product offering through a strategic partnership with James Latham. As demand grows for higher-specification timber and panel products, builders’ merchants are increasingly being required to extend their offer beyond core commodity-focused ranges. Driven by more detailed architectural specifications and changing customer expectations, this shift raises a practical question for many businesses: how do you supply specia

For years, Spruce has been the go-to species for structural timber in the UK. With its pale colour, consistent grain and reliability in engineered applications, it’s dominated the market. However, pine (European redwood) is now taking an increasing share of the UK construction timber sector. A bark beetle infestation has devastated large areas of European forests, particularly in Spruce-dominated regions. This damage has reduced available Spruce stock and forced many sawmills

Leading UK timber supplier Premier Forest Products has confirmed the full relaunch of the National Timber Systems (NTS) Sheffield manufacturing site, following its acquisition of NTS out of administration at the end of 2025. The 25,000sq.ft facility, which has supplied innovative timber engineering products to housebuilders and contractors for more than two decades, is once again producing roof trusses and engineered joists. Its return restores a key hub within NTS’s national

Premier Forest Products has reinforced its commitment to social responsibility by becoming the first private sector company to sign the Welsh Government’s Corporate Parenting Charter. Dawn Bowden and Terry Edgell with the Corporate Parenting Pledge Working in partnership with Newport City Council, Premier Forest provides paid work placements for up to six young people each year. Opportunities are offered across departments including finance, operations, logistics and manufact

Regulatory changes, supply constraints, rising fuel prices, broader cost pressures, and ongoing economic uncertainty are set to create some of the most challenging conditions for the wood pallet and packaging sector in the year ahead. TIMCON President John Dye with speakers and attendees at the TIMCON general meeting, March 2026 Speakers at the recent Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) general meeting, held in Manchester in early March, provided updates on forth

Leading UK timber supplier Premier Forest Products continues its period of growth with the appointment of Neil Robins to the group’s timber engineering management team. Neil Robins has recently joined Premier Forest Products’ timber engineering management team Neil brings more than 30 years of experience in establishing and managing offsite manufacturing facilities, with a strong focus on developing timber frame and truss businesses. In his new role, Neil will focus on provid

Leading UK timber supplier Premier Forest Products has secured Constructionline Gold Membership, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted and compliant supplier. Constructionline is a nationally recognised supplier database containing verified information on more than 45,000 suppliers and is accessed by approximately 10,000 buyers. Originally established as a government department, it supports thousands of businesses across both the public and private sectors. Constructionline

Students at Burton and South Derbyshire College and Newark College have taken part in a competition set by Liberon, the woodcare experts, to test their carpentry and joinery skills. The initiative aims to introduce students to specialist woodcare solutions and challenge them to apply the correct finishes to imaginative pieces they have created. The winning team at Burton and South Derbyshire College. From left to right: Oscar George, Nigel Thompson and Angelina Tucker-Hughes

Leading UK timber supplier Premier Forest Products has triumphed at the Newport Business Awards 2026, winning three awards in total. The company took home Newport Business of the Year, alongside Manufacturing Business of the Year and the Newport Community Award. Premier Forest Products received three accolades in total at the Newport Business Awards 2026 The inaugural Newport Business Awards celebrated excellence, innovation and resilience across Newport’s business community.

By Roly Ward, Head of Business Development, MEDITE SMARTPLY. The UK construction industry is facing a defining challenge. Ambitious housing targets, the transition to low-carbon buildings and the increasing use of modern methods of construction all point towards a sector in transformation. Yet, according to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the workforce required to deliver this future is not currently in place. Between 2025 and 2029, the industry will need to

Faced with rising demand, capacity constraints and a need to improve manual handling processes, Donaldson Door Systems partnered with JJ Smith to transform its production capabilities. Donaldson Door Systems, part of the Donaldson Group, is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of high-quality door sets, supplying internal and external doors, staircases and bespoke joinery products. With a commitment to delivering value to major housebuilders and local authorities, the busine

BPI, asset disposal specialists, were honoured to manage the sale of the personal workshop of Mark Wilkinson OBE, one of Britain’s most respected furniture designers and craftsmen. Mark Wilkinson OBE The online auction comprised over 100 lots and offered a rare opportunity to acquire machinery and tools from a workshop shaped by decades of craftsmanship. Mark Wilkinson was widely recognised as a visionary designer and master craftsman. He launched his first kitchen design in

The 2026 Midlands Woodworking Show, held from Friday 7th to Saturday 8th March at Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, proved to be a major success, seeing an increase of 30% footfall from the 2025 show. The 2026 event saw an increase of 30% footfall from the previous year This year’s event marked a significant milestone as the show celebrated its 10th anniversary, attracting enthusiastic crowds of woodworking professionals, hobbyists and industry experts. Both visitors and ex

According to the latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) figures, total UK timber and panel product imports reached 9.1 million m³ in 2025, representing a 2.2% decline compared with 2024. While the overall figure shows a reduction in volumes, the data also highlights a number of areas where imports grew during the year. Demand for timber products has remained relatively subdued over the past four years and the 2025 figures show the lowest annual import volumes for around a decade

Premier Forest Products, a leading UK timber supplier, is showcasing its expertise with the appointment of a hardwood specialist as it continues to demonstrate growth across the UK. Robert Pitts joins the team to develop hardwood operations within the wider Premier Forest group Robert Pitts joins the team to develop hardwood operations within the wider Premier Forest group. Robert brings a wealth of experience to the role, including time spent as Sales Manager and Assistant B