W.L. West & Sons Ltd.
Timber Talks - July 2009

Lodsworth Larder

 

Many of you will know the name Ben Laws. He is a woodsman who became more well known when he constructed his own round Chestnut framed home in Lodsworth, West Sussex, just around the corner from us. This build was featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme. The materials for his home were sourced where possible, from the woods where he lives. We were approached earlier in the year by a Lodsworth committee asking us to become involved with the Lodsworth Larder project. What’s that? we wondered. Well, Ben is leading a team that is using the same round Chestnut framing techniques to construct a new village shop for Lodsworth.

We received some Oak logs felled in the woods at Lodsworth by Ben which we cut into through and through timber and air dried. We have now kiln dried the timber and will shortly be converting it into Oak flooring for the new shop.

Previously we had milled some of the logs into beam to support the floor.

Being involved in local projects is something that we have done ever since we came here in 1986. But it is very interesting to be involved with one that is aligned to our industry. This project will provide a great facility to the community. We will give you a further bulletin as the project develops.

The Rev Derek Welsman blesses the frame.

Exchange Rates & International Supply

Having nose dived at the beginning of the year, we are starting to see the €uro improve against the pound. The trend is still a little up and down but the improvement is there on quite a shallow growth slope.

The US dollar seems to be growing a little more quickly against the pound. Having dropped over 50 cents by February this year, it is now only a little over 20 cents from where the dollar was at this time last year. So positive moves. How these changes will affect the timber trade is another thing. With many sawmills in North America closed and with logging reduced because of the decline in demand, prices could still rise as a result.

Imports to the UK (Hardwood & Softwood) were down 33% in the first four months of the year.

We also know that softwood production in Scandinavia has been reduced, primarily as a result of reduction of demand in the pulp industry.

We are sure we are not ‘out of the woods’ yet (excuse the pun). Banks appear to be thinking that we have bottomed out and are starting to see an improvement in markets, but it could be some time before this improvement filters through to our industry.

Firewood

Is that a topic for the summer? Well the way the weather is it could be.

The demand for firewood is becoming quite a significant part of the home grown timber trade, sad really but true. Outlets for low grade timber has always been a problem since the demise of the mines and shipping dunnage (all those of us over the age of 40 will remember we did once have some coal mines here in the UK). But with the advent of green issues and carbon footprints and growth in wood burning stoves, (just ask in their trade if they are in recession?) has meant that demand has grown. 

With this demand is an issue about selection. We have heard of local hardwoods being clear felled for firewood. If some of this timber is suitable for structural or joinery it is a waste and frankly irresponsible. The firewood merchants are trading on the fact that it is carbon neutral, in the equation of growth and life span,  but in effect it could be depriving our trade of local supply. Controls need to be carefully placed on this resource or we could see another major issue where hardwood timber blanket cut, can be chipped for fuel without the selection of prime butts offered to buy/sell. This is immoral especially when there are areas of poorly managed woodland that would make good fuel wood.

We are currently building stocks of firewood for the winter months, but there is still a steady trade in it with customers coming in regularly to buy wood for the winter.

Stock News

We are in the process of finishing a superb project in Siberian Larch, FSC for a Cladding job in North London. The Architects loves it, the client thinks its superb and the contractors have been professional and just great to deal with. In the last five years how often does this happen?? All the teams have come together to produce a really good job. The job is further enhanced with some CNC work we did in conjunction with one of our customers who took time and trouble to get the Architects design right. We should shortly  have some pictures.
We are just wondering why they all shouldn’t be like this one! The contractors are even paying us too…….. on time.

 

W.L. WEST & SONS LTD
Selham, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0PJ
United Kingdom

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