Last year, TRADA merged with the Timber Trade Federation to form the new organisation Timber Development UK.
For many years BM TRADA, part of the Element Materials Technology Group, has provided technical and administrative services to TRADA and its members.
In December 2021, TDUK and BM TRADA agreed that the managed services contract between them would come to an end on 31 January 2022.
Both BM TRADA and Timber Development UK will continue to serve the timber industry in their own ways.
Timber Development UK will continue to operate as a membership organisation across the supply chain from sawmill to specifier, publishing technical specification manuals, handbooks and other guidance on timber design and engineering, CPD accredited seminars and online training, technical support, political advocacy and supply chain guidance. In short, creating a centre of excellence for timber specification, publication and know-how.
BM TRADA and its team of timber consultants will continue to provide independent testing, certification and technical advice to the timber industry, specifiers, contractors and the wider construction industry. This includes: condition surveys on existing buildings; audits during construction; advice on designing with timber in new buildings; and bespoke research. In addition to expert advice, BM TRADA will continue to independently publish the various technical publications and design tools that have historically been available to TRADA members.
Under the terms of the merger, all TRADA and TTF members automatically become members of Timber Development UK. All members will be receiving letters in the coming week or so explaining the changes. Nobody should see any drop in service during this transition.
Mark Cummings, Fire & Building Products Technical Director at BM TRADA, said: “We’ve had a long and rewarding partnership with TRADA but following Timber Development UK’s decision to change the way in which they serve their members, we look forward to continuing to advise and serve the construction industry on the use of timber and helping it overcome the technical challenges that it may face in the future.”
David Hopkins, CEO of Timber Development UK, said: “We’d like to thank BM TRADA for its help and support over the years. The timber construction sector is set for rapid growth over the coming years as we try to decarbonise our built environment. The technical resources we have developed together will be invaluable to achieve this aim. We look forward to creating more resources to enable this low-carbon transition.”
You can find out more about this transition at www.timberdevelopment.uk, where regular updates on the progress of the merger will be shared.