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

BJ Waller, specialist distributor of timber window and door hardware for the UK joinery sector, has announced a series of operational improvements designed to strengthen stock availability, fulfilment consistency and long-term service confidence for its customers. Luke Piper – BJ Waller Business Development Director – Timber With over 40 years’ experience supporting joinery manufacturers, specialist joiners and fabricators, BJ Waller has built a reputation as a trusted techni

Heritage Sash Window – a 3D render showing the product within a traditional residential context Allan Brothers, one of the UK’s longest-established window and door manufacturers, has launched a new Heritage range of timber windows designed for listed properties and homes located in Conservation Areas. The collection features traditional sliding sash windows and matching flush casements, providing a sympathetic solution for historic estates where different window styles appear

Felder Group UK & Felder Group Scotland are pleased to announce their Spring In-House Exhibition 2026, inviting woodworking professionals, manufacturers and enthusiasts to experience the latest advancements in woodworking technology. The exhibition will take place at the Milton Keynes showroom from 12–14 March 2026, followed by the Livingston, Scotland showroom from 20–21 March 2026. Visitors will have the opportunity to see innovative machinery in action, receive expert guid

Three leading organisations in the construction sector – Timber Development UK (TDUK), Structural Timber Association (STA) and Swedish Wood – have launched a new digital platform designed to make timber frame construction easier for built environment professionals to understand and adopt. Roof installation on a timber frame building Timber Frame: Where to Start is a practical and accessible guide that provides a clear introduction to timber frame construction and its princip

DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has advised Glennon Brothers, a third-generation timber processing business, on its acquisition of Pontrilas Group Limited, one of the UK’s leading independent sawmill and packaging businesses. Alasdair Peacock, DWF partner Founded in 1947, Pontrilas Group operates the largest timber processing mill in England and Wales and employs more than 530 people. The business generates annual turnover in excess of £120

Allan Brothers, the UK’s oldest timber window and door manufacturer, is celebrating Women in Construction Week (1–7 March) with the appointment of Linzi Jo Watson as its first female Production Manager at the company’s factory in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Linzi Jo Watson, Allan Brothers’ newly appointed Production Manager In her new role, Linzi is responsible for all factory operations, from the delivery of raw timber through to machine centre operations, assembly and finishing. Sh

As BPI Auctions continues to build its presence across the UK, strengthening support in the South has become a key focus, as demonstrated by this recent personnel change. Ashley Woodfine, BPI Business Development Manager for the South The woodworking sector in this region is vibrant, diverse and growing, and BPI recognises the value of having dedicated expertise on the ground. By introducing an additional Business Development Manager, the company is reinforcing its commitmen