The overall purpose of the organisation will continue to be the promotion of structural timber products and systems within the UK construction industry – something the UKTFA has done for 11 years to good effect. With the growing understanding that timber construction is the way forward in terms of energy efficiency, time saving and flexibility, the new STA will reiterate these messages through its programme of seminars, factory tours and research.
Lawrence Young, chairman of UKTFA comments: “The timber frame industry is no longer defined simply by the supply of timber kits; it is driven by intelligent and integrated hybrid solutions. Because of this, the UKTFA now stands for much more than ‘timber frame’, and we felt that we needed to broaden the Association to reflect the evolving industry.
“This rebrand strengthens what the UKFTA has always stood for and as the STA we will be stronger and more inclusive. The UKTFA leads the industry in terms of quality, health & safety, education, technical knowledge and customer service, and this work will continue under the STA banner.”
With support from key organisations including TRADA and interested stakeholder bodies who have all recognised the value in broadening the remit of the new Structural Timber Association, this move has been welcomed by the industry.
Andrew Abbott, chief executive of TRADA, comments: “This rebrand comes as the timber industry undergoes change and is in response to that. TRADA welcomes the move, is fully supportive and looks forward to developing closer links with the STA in the future.”
Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of the UKTFA comments: “We have spoken far and wide within the industry and taken soundings from across the board to confirm the need for the new STA. We will continue to stand up for quality within the industry and drive the agenda towards a greater use of timber within UK construction.”
The Structural Timber Association will officially launch at Timber Expo on 24 September 2013 and will be open to: manufacturers of structural timber products & systems; supply chain members; erectors; and designers. Associate membership is available to end user clients, specifiers including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, house builders, developers, stakeholder groups and public sector bodies.