Consumers want environmentally and socially responsible products, says new research

Consumers want environmentally and socially responsible products, says new research
by Jennie Ward|29 September 26|Build, Supply
A national consumer survey commissioned by FSC UK has revealed overwhelming public support for responsible sourcing, credible sustainability claims and ethical business practices, highlighting a significant opportunity for brands and retailers that can demonstrate independently verified environmental and social credentials. Based on a survey of 1,280 UK adults conducted in...
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UK timber imports remain subdued in H1 2026
by Jennie Ward|07 September 26|Build, Supply
UK timber and panel product imports remained below last year’s levels during the first half of 2026, with weaker softwood and plywood volumes weighing on the market, according to the latest statistics from Timber Development UK (TDUK). The combined volume of the UK’s main timber and panel product imports was...
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Beacon Fencing invests in Postsaver application machine to meet growing demand
by Jennie Ward|06 July 26|Build, Supply
Beacon Fencing, one of the largest fencing stockists in Sussex, has strengthened its manufacturing capabilities with the purchase of a new Postsaver Pro-Shrink Application Machine, enabling the company to increase production of guaranteed long-life fence posts. The family-run business, based near Haywards Heath, has been supplying Postsaver-protected fence posts since...
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Confidence and rising costs remain challenging, says first-ever TDUK Market Briefing
by Jennie Ward|03 July 26|Build, Statistics, Supply
Timber Development UK (TDUK) has published its first-ever Market Briefing, bringing together economic analysis, market data and insight from businesses across the supply chain to provide a detailed picture of the issues shaping the timber industry during the first half of 2026. Drawing on contributions from timber merchants, sawmills, manufacturers and...
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Softwood imports remain resilient despite mixed Q1 market performance
by Jennie Ward|08 June 26|Build, Statistics, Supply
Softwood import volumes remained marginally ahead of the same period last year during the first quarter of 2026, despite continued pressure across parts of the UK timber and panel products market, according to the latest Timber Development UK market statistics. The combined import volumes of the main timber and panel...
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Merchant sales down -8.1% year-on-year in Q1 2026
by Jennie Ward|04 June 26|Build, Supply
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ like-for-like value sales for Q1 2026, adjusted to remove the impact of trading days, were -3.2% lower than Q1 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -8.1%, with product prices increasing +5.4%.
 
With no difference in trading days, unadjusted...
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Revised statistics reveal mixed picture as UK timber imports grew 2.9%
by Liam Macandrew|05 May 26|Statistics, Supply
The latest timber statistics released reveal a total volume of 9.6 million m3 in 2025 - a 2.9% increase over 2024. Statistics for the year 2025, first released in March 2026, have been updated to raise total import volumes to 9.6 million m3. The largest beneficiaries of this revision have...
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Have your say on CPA State of Trade Survey
by Jennie Ward|06 April 26|Build, Supply
The Construction Products Association's (CPA) State of Trade survey for Q1 2026 is now open. The CPA is asking construction companies and TDUK members to complete the survey and have their say on the state of trade in your sub-sector during the January-March period of 2026. Your answers will help...
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Timber imports nudge upwards during Q3, though year-to-date volumes remain below 2024
by Jennie Ward|08 December 25|Statistics, Supply
New timber import figures covering Q3 2025 reveal an ongoing mixed picture for the sector, with year-to-date volumes still trailing 2024 but showing some signs of improvement as the year progressed. The latest statistics from Timber Development UK confirm that total imports in the first nine months of 2025 reached...
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CPA Autumn Forecast predicts slower growth next year
by Jennie Ward|27 October 25|Build, Statistics, Supply
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has released its Autumn 2025 construction forecast, which says total construction output is forecast to grow by 1.1% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2026 - a significant revision down from the 1.9% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026 outlined in the previous forecast. Firms across the...
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