It’s time to plan for the future

As we reach the end of 2024, we’re saying goodbye to a challenging year for construction and the timber industry.

Construction output growth fell almost 3% this year, but despite the Autumn Budget putting extra tax burdens on businesses and employers, there are small signs of optimism for the year ahead.

The government has pledged a significant boost in housebuilding, and it’s likely that major infrastructure projects will also get off the ground next year, with slow, but steady construction growth forecast in the coming years.

The key issue that lies ahead is balancing supply requirements and making sure we have enough raw materials to keep up with that potential rise in demand – something that was a key point of discussion at TDUK’s recent Global Market Conference (see p20).

But even with the challenge that lie ahead, things still look encouraging for timber in the long term, as the UK continues on its path to a more sustainable built environment.

That’s why, in this issue, we’re highlighting some of the latest new products that have come to market (see p13), as well as the fantastic timber buildings and structures that were worthy winners at the 2024 Wood Awards (see p51). We’re also bringing you our usual profiles of some of the most forward-thinking TDUK members (see p38).

We hope you enjoy all the information this latest issue has to offer, and if you’d like to get involved in our next edition, please contact me at jennie@timberdevelopment.uk

Jennie Ward
Editor, Supplying Timber