TIMBER TRANSPORT FORUM FIELD TRIP AND CONFERENCE, FEB 2007 (19/12/06)

Timber Transport Forum field trip and conference, Eskdalemuir and Carlisle 21-22 February 2007: Delivering the opportunity.

The Timber Transport Forum has put together a valuable programme of speakers and a field visit of interest to all those involved in harvesting and timber transport across the UK.

A thriving timber haulage sector is vital to the success of the expanding timber harvest, yet is crucially vulnerable to external factors, such as, fragile road infrastructure, increasing fuel prices, as well as regulatory impacts, such as, the Working Time Directive.

The budget fuel tax increase is yet another blow. The impacts on the entire sector are felt, with increasing numbers of hauliers going out of business.
Once a haulier goes out of timber, it is unlikely that he will return.

Everyone in the woodchain needs to be aware of the issues and understand the need for solutions.
This annual conference showcases the essential work of the Timber Transport Forum as well as the latest technological developments and initiatives.

Alistair Speedie, chairman of the Timber Transport Forum, said,

"Timber haulage costs represent in the order of 50% of the delivered-in costs of roundwood. Domestic timber must compete in an international market, where the price of the finished good is set by the cost of imported product.

"Benchmarked against our competitors our haulage costs are high and haulage has been referred to as the 'Achilles' heel' of the UK forest industry. Fuel cost and road infrastructure are important elements of this cost differential, but to compete internationally we must be innovative and collaborative in finding solutions to our haulage issues.

"With the advent of new energy markets, increasing fuel costs and adoption of new transport technologies, roundwood haulage faces new challenges. "

The field trip offers a unique opportunity to visit some operational timber transport innovations near to the conference venue. This event offers an insight into how this important part of the wood products supply chain is changing and how it can compete in the future."