Research

Market Research for the Wood Processing Sector
in South East England

Weald WoodNet have embarked on a research project with the University of Brighton, Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment, to investigate the amount of home-grown timber used in the construction industry in the SE Region. The research is intended to assist the development of more effective industry clusters with the aim of marketing the benefits of locally-supplied timber as a low embodied energy building material. 

During the course of the study Weald WoodNet will be approaching a number of wood processing and timber merchant business in the region to gather information about their current capacity and specialist interests. 

The outcomes of this work will integrate with the forthcoming review of the South East Regional Forestry Framework being carried out by the Forestry and Woodlands Partnership. A better understanding of the local supply chain may help to unlock funding to develop better ways for small-scale producers to access the growing markets for sustainable timber in construction. 

For further information, and to register any expressions of interest in participating in the research, please contact David Saunders at Woodland Enterprise Centre,
Tel: 01580 879552 Email: info@woodnet.org.uk

December 2006