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March 11, 2013

UK timber supply chain set to be revitalised

Cutting News,Timber — Tags: — Booker Timber @ 9:34 am

The UK’s timber supply chain has been somewhat slow over the last few years, but thanks to government plans this could soon change. A bold new incentive has been designed to revitalise the supply chain and deliver the boost that the system needs, with ministers teaming up with leaders in the industry to devise the Grown in Britain action plan.

The plan explained

The Grown in Britain plan has been developed in response to a report conducted by the Independent Panel on Forestry last year, which found that 80% of the wood used in the UK is imported whilst the private sector harvests just 40% of all available resources. This just shows that we’re not taking full advantage of the opportunities available to us to create a thriving wood industry in the UK so it’s no wonder the supply chain seems to have stalled, and it’s something the government hopes to change. That’s where the new strategy comes in.

The initiative, set up by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), will implement a number of factors intended to regenerate and revitalise the supply chain. It’s already received backing by the Confederation for Forest Industries with ministers highlighting the economic and environmental benefits that can be gleaned from it—improving the supply chain and generating more wood from our forests could enable us to meet fuel and construction requirements by using material from our own shores, with a few additional benefits being:

  • The wood fuel market alone has the potential to generate some £1billion for the economy
  • Thousands of new jobs can be created—as many as 15,000 by 2020
  • Wood is 24 times more efficient as a building material than steel and could save 0.9 tonnes of CO2 per cubic meter
  • A vibrant woodland industry results in more green spaces which, in turn, could help reduce air pollution, carbon emissions and even healthcare costs

This move couldn’t have come at a better time. The UK has come under the spotlight in the last few months in light of the horsemeat scandal, with the supply chain in food production becoming increasingly blurred as suppliers from Europe get involved. This isn’t something we want in the forestry industry, and with there now being a clear (and consumer-led) desire for all manufacturing areas to focus on home-grown products it’s great to see the Grown in Britain campaign taking hold.

It makes sound economic, environmental and even social sense for the government to concentrate on this most important of areas, and here at Booker Timber we fully support the move and look forward to seeing the results of this regeneration. Of course, in the meantime you’re still going to want to get your wood from an approved source, so why not get in touch? We’re a leading timber merchant in the UK and are proud to be Chain of Custody certified, bringing you hardwood, softwood, chipboard and cut to size plywood of all kinds with clear emphasis on maintaining quality and environmental standards, so get in touch with the experts as you wait to see the results of this new initiative.

February 25, 2013

New Controls to Guard Against Tree Pests and Diseases

Cutting News,Timber — Tags: , , — Booker Timber @ 9:24 am

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson announced in January that there would be tighter controls of the importing of native tree species from the EU, in the government’s latest bid to protect against disease and pests.

And the new rules on importation of sweet chestnut, oak, plane and ash trees from EU trees are now in force. They mean that plant health inspectors will be able to conduct very targeted inspections, and trace saplings if there are any concerns that a disease or pest may be present.

Equally, any business which imports tree plants, and the buyers who purchase them, will have confidence that any issues will be spotted at an early stage.

The controls bring EU imports into line with trees entering outside the EU, under which importers need to tell the relevant authorities:

  • Where they trees originated
  • The species
  • The trees’ destination

    • Inspectors are then able to assess risk, and decide whether testing is required.

    Clearly, the new controls mark a departure from the current situation – whereby single market rules mean the authorities are not aware of what trees are entering the UK from EU member states.

    Own Paterson said: “We have learned from the recent situation with ash tree dieback the importance of acting quickly and finding out where infected trees may be. These new controls should make a real contribution in preventing diseases from establishing themselves in the first place.”

    At the same time, a Plant Health Task Force report is anticipated before the summer. Chaired by Chief Scientific Adviser at Defra Ian Boyd. It has already produced an interim report, in which it recommends:

  • The development of a risk register for tree health
  • The establishment of an expert system to quickly provide information on tree and plant health

    • The new scheme also comes after an informal consultation with key groups such as the NFU and the Horticultural Trade Association.

    Of course, if you are buying wood-based products, you can also do your part by choosing an ethical timber merchant which prioritises environmental concerns.

    Booker Timber is one such merchant.

    What Booker Timber Offers

    At Booker Timber, our marketplace is the UK’s industrial sector, and the regional DIY and trade markets in the North West.

    As well as offering an extensive selection of timber-based products, from chipboard to marine plywood, our nationwide specialist sheet material cutting, routering and machining service is second to none.

    And we offer all customers a number of great benefits, including:

  • Competitive machining and supply prices
  • Our staff are highly experience, and very able to answer any questions you may have
  • We can supply and machine, or cut products you have sourced elsewhere
  • Stringent quality control to make sure your order is completed to exactly what you need
  • We can package up your order in any way you choose – or deliver it to you
  • We can handle all sizes of order
  • Chain of Custody certified to prove that we source our timber sustainably and responsibly.

    • There’s more on our website.

    January 28, 2013

    Sourcing the perfect timber for home improvements

    CNC Cutting,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 12:47 pm

    If you’re in need of cut to size plywood and other materials to help you complete a property extension, you’re not alone. Many firms and individuals around the country are seeking timber for the purposes of revamping real estate in this way.

    Thankfully, getting hold of the necessary products is now easy. Here at Booker Timber we specialise in offering plywood sheets and other forms of wood.

    New rules

    You might be welcoming a move by the government to relax the red tape associated with building conservatories and extensions. Last month, the coalition administration announced that anyone looking to enhance their properties through measures such as building conservatories or extensions will not be subject to any rules requiring them to carry out additional building works on other parts of their homes.

    Proposals for ‘consequential improvements’, whereby work conducted on one part of a residence would trigger a requirement to carry out energy efficiency improvement works throughout, have been halted. The government decided that this would deter many consumers from having any work done in the first place.

    Straightforward

    Commenting on the thinking behind the move, communities secretary Eric Pickles said: “Having consulted carefully, the government has noted the potential danger that introducing consequential improvements would, in fact, discourage people from undertaking home improvements.

    “This measure ensures that it will remain straightforward for hard-working homeowners to undertake small-scale home improvements and conservatories.”

    Demand for timber to rise?

    This development may lead to a rise in demand for certain kinds of timber. After all, if more people are encouraged to engage in domestic revamps, the quantity of wood required will go up.

    Come to us

    By sourcing your timber from us, you can rest assured you will benefit from excellent quality and accurate results without breaking the bank in the process. We specialise in supplying the industrial sector nationwide, as well as the trade and DIY sectors in the north-west.

    We offer a vast array of timber-related products and pride ourselves on providing the perfect solutions to challenging requests.

    Our facilities

    One of the reasons why we’re able to achieve such impressive results concerns the fact that we have a hugely impressive production facility that combines the latest and most impressive CNC machinery with powerful software.

    Indeed, our CNC Beam saws are among the biggest in the UK and we are able to cut to within 0.1mm accuracy.

    Take your pick

    Also, we offer an impressive selection of materials. You can choose from MDF, chipboard, plywood, orientated strand board, hardboard and melamine faced chipboard. We can even cut plasterboard and most types of plastic panels.

    To find out more about how we operate and to discover whether or not we have the ideal solutions for your project, just take a look around the rest of our website or get in touch with our friendly and helpful team by phone or email.

    When it comes to MDF sheets and other timber products, you can see us as your one-stop-shop. We won’t let you down.

    January 14, 2013

    Precision cut timber

    Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 12:40 pm

    When you’re on the lookout for a timber merchant to provide you with cut-to-size wood to use in projects, accuracy may be foremost on your mind.

    After all, if you ask for timber in certain shapes and sizes and the materials you receive don’t quite conform to your requests, you can encounter a range of problems. In the worst cases, you may not be able to use the wood at all, while in others you might find that you have to waste your time cutting the timber to the right size yourself.

    Use the experts

    The good news is, there’s a simple way to avoid these potentially costly and time consuming difficulties. By coming to us here at Booker Timber, you can rest assured that you’ll get exactly what you ask for.

    This might help you complete projects on time and to the necessary high standards. It could also bring your stress levels down.

    What makes us different?

    There are a number of ways in which we stand out from the crowd. For example, we have invested in state of the art CNC machinery and we also use powerful software. This impressive combination enables us to produce accurate and efficient solutions within no time.

    Our CNC Beam saws are among the biggest in the whole of the country and we have the capacity and skill to handle and cut sheets up to six metres long and four metres wide, with board thicknesses of up to 90mm. Meanwhile, we can cut to within 0.1mm accuracy.

    Variety

    It’s not only in terms of precision that we’re leaders of the pack. We also offer an impressive choice of timber products. We can cut or router MDF, chipboard, plywood, orientated strand board, hardboard and melamine faced chipboard. Also, our saws will cut plasterboard and most types of plastic panels.

    Saving you cash

    Of course, accuracy isn’t the only issue you’re likely to focus on. You might also want to source superb value materials. Again, we’re perfectly placed to help. Our optimisation software will calculate the most efficient way to cut boards where different sizes are required. This means we can reduce wastage and minimise the number of boards required.

    Particularly now when times are tough and everyone is counting their pennies, saving cash may be especially important.

    A flexible approach

    Regardless of the scale of your order, we will be able to help. Our services are available to everyone, from large companies to enthusiastic DIYers.

    The full low-down

    If you think we may be able to help you and are keen to find out more about the services we offer, just take a look around our website. You can get the full low-down about the techniques and machines we use to create such impressive results.

    You can also get in touch with our friendly and helpful team by phone or email. Whether you’re in need of cut to size chipboard, cut to size plywood or anything else, we may well be perfectly placed to assist you.

    November 12, 2012

    Timber is an increasingly common feature in UK gardens

    Timber — Tags: — Booker Timber @ 9:50 am

    Over recent years, there has been an increase in demand for plywood sheets and other forms of timber for use in gardens. This is because the popularity of wooden garden features has risen and now many outdoor areas feature an array of these goods.

    For example, timber is used in raised beds, items of furniture and decking, as well as sheds and other outdoor buildings.

    No surprise

    It’s no real surprise that interest in wooden products like this has increased. Homeowners are keen to ensure that they get optimum usage from their gardens and by investing in additional furniture, ornamental goods and decking, they can do precisely this.

    Also, using products like this can make outdoor spaces easier to maintain. For busy consumers who don’t have time for lots of gardening, this can be ideal. They can keep this part of their properties in impressive shape without spending hours and hours working on them.

    Meeting demand

    If you’re to meet consumer demand for wooden garden products, you’ll need a timber merchant you can rely on.

    This is where we come in. Here at Booker Timber we’re experts when it comes to wood and should have exactly what you’re after. You can have complete confidence in our precision cutting services and you can also benefit from impressive levels of customer service.

    Value for money

    In addition, we offer impressive value for money and this may be especially important now. Consumers and businesses are operating on tight budgets, so in order to attract interest in your goods and services, you may have to ensure you’re at the top of your game.

    As part of this, it’s crucial to provide competitive prices. Unless you’re able to woo customers in this way, you might lose out to rival organisations.

    We ensure that our marine plywood and other materials are competitively priced because we appreciate the importance of this issue.

    Accuracy is key

    Of course, cost isn’t the only factor you need to consider. You’re no doubt after high quality and precisely cut timber as well. We cut to within 0.1mm accuracy, meaning you can have complete confidence in the dimensions of our wood.

    Our large computerised robotic routers can cut shapes from sheet material, chamfering and drilling and we have some of the largest beam saws in the UK. When it comes to accurate timber cutting, our services cannot be surpassed.

    More info

    So, if you’re keen to continue cashing in on consumer appetites for timber garden products and want a merchant that can sell you exactly what you need, when you need it, you’ve come to the right place. We’re passionate about offering the best possible service and know all there is to know about wood.

    For more information, just take a look around the rest of our website or get in touch with our friendly and professional team either by phone or email. We’re on hand to answer your queries.

    With our help, you should find you can more than meet your customers’ expectations.

    September 24, 2012

    Choosing the right timber for your project

    Sheets,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 10:07 am

    When you’re embarking on a project that requires wood, you’ll need to ensure you have access to suitable supplies. If you can’t access timber of sufficient quality or struggle to get it on time, you will suffer delays and difficulties.

    Of course, you have to choose the right wood in the first place. There are lots of different kinds of timber for you to take your pick from. Here at Booker Timber we offer a whole range. As well as marine plywood, MDF and so on, we offer hardwoods like greenheart, iroko maple, poplar and oak. The kind you opt for will depend on your budget and the effects you’re looking to achieve.

    Oak is a popular choice

    Oak is commonly used in a variety of settings. This wood has a range of properties that make it ideal for various projects. Writing about the material on eHow, Neal Litherland noted that it is an attractive wood and it is often used in flooring and furniture.

    Indeed, lots of properties feature oak somewhere within them and the timber can look ideal in both contemporary and traditional looking spaces.

    Meanwhile, the wood is also used in walking sticks and in a number of other products.

    Grain

    Mr Litherland pointed out that different types of oak vary, but there are certain properties they all have in common.

    For example, when it comes to grain, he remarked: “Wood may often be purchased for the appearance and feel of its grain. Oak hardwood has an identifiable grain that is described as open and fairly long. The wood has occasional crotches, with swirls and burs as well. The way the boards are sawed from the wood can also make a difference as to the grain that is displayed. Plain sawed boards have a plumed grain, for instance, whereas rift sawn boards have a much tighter grain pattern.”

    Colour

    When it comes to colour, this depends on the particular oak in question, the writer noted. While white oak can be light brown with a pinkish tint, the heartwood is a creamy white colour. Red oak on the other hand can be tinted rose, he suggested.

    Physical properties

    Depending what you’re using the wood for, you might be looking for certain physical properties. Oak is hard and it has “medium bending strength”, Mr Litherland stated. He added that it has a high crushing strength, meaning it is good for holding up structures like beams.

    Sourcing the best

    To make the most of oak, or any other timber for that matter, it’s important you head to a specialist sheet cutting firm like us.

    We offer a vast array of timber-related products and have all the experience, knowledge and equipment required to achieve the best results.

    Find out more

    If you’d like to find out more about our cut to size plywood and so on, just take a look around the rest of our website or get in touch with our friendly and helpful team. We should be perfectly placed to help you.

    September 10, 2012

    Sourcing timber for property builds

    Timber,Uncategorized — Tags: — Booker Timber @ 9:51 am

    If you’re currently involved in a property build and require lots of wood, you’ll need to find a reliable timber merchant that’s capable of supplying you with what you want when you want it.

    Getting substandard wood or having to wait too long to get your hands on the material could prove disastrous for your project. The good news is, it’s now easy to access superb quality timber at great value prices. Here at Booker Timber we specialise in offering the very best cut-to-size wood around.

    A modern statement

    One residence that makes full use of wood is the New Pipers in Hertfordshire. According to a report in Homes & Property, the abode makes a “modern statement with glass and timber”. The residence was created by the Bradbury family and dad Jimmi, his wife Liz and their daughter Kim are now enjoying the space.

    Mr Bradbury worked on the project with childhood friend and acclaimed modern architect Niall McLaughlin and the finished result is so striking that it is regularly in demand for use in films and TV commercials.

    Simple and stunning

    According to Homes & Property, the house is “simple and stunning in equal measure”. The news source added: “The house brims with ingenious design and environmentally friendly functions that, in turn, helped it past those tricky planners and persuaded local residents that it was a good thing for the village.”

    Persistence paid off

    Mr Bradbury had his work cut out bringing the project to life, but he always looked at the positives. About this, he remarked: “As with anything you want to do in this life, think about everything that could go right. Don’t get paralysed by the fear of everything that could go wrong.”

    The natural effect

    The 49-year-old went on to remark: “We used a lot of wood, rather than metal, to counterbalance the glass and to make sure the materials were in keeping with the building’s surroundings.”

    He added: “We have let out our house about six times in the past two years at about �1,000 a day. It’s an unexpected supplemental income, certainly. But this is a family home first and was not built as a commercial venture. I loved building this house, I should have done it years ago.”

    How we can help

    If you’re on the lookout for timber to help you complete work on a property, whether it is your own home or you are carrying out the tasks on behalf of a customer, you’ll need to know you can trust your merchant.

    We pride ourselves on the quality of our plywood sheets and so on and may well have exactly what you’re looking for. We supply companies and consumers alike and offer a vast range of timber-related products.

    Accurate

    We can cut sheet material to within 0.1mm and our boards go up to 5,400mm in length, 4,000mm in width and 90mm in thickness.

    When you come to us for cut to size chipboard and so on, you can rest assured you’ll get exactly what you’re after.

    August 24, 2012

    Raised beds are ideal in small gardens

    CNC Cutting,Sheets,Timber — Tags: , , — Booker Timber @ 10:07 am

    It’s no wonder that demand for the timber used in raised beds is so high. These days, consumers are increasingly switching on to the benefits of these outdoor constructions. They are perfect for growing vegetables, herbs, fruit and so on and are easy to maintain.

    Not only can g cultivating produce like this be rewarding, it can also save people money. The prices of fresh goods in supermarkets and smaller shops are rising and by becoming more self-sufficient, people can reduce their grocery bills. If you’re keen to invest in wood for this purpose, it’s important you find a timber merchant you can trust to offer you competitive prices and top-quality products.

    Bijou gardens

    Meanwhile, if your garden’s somewhat lacking in space, getting raised beds could be ideal. Recently, landscape architect Nilufer Danis suggested that these items are convenient and look great. He used raised beds in his display at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, Homes & Property reports.

    Called Our First Home, Our First Garden, the creation had seating, raised beds and original sculpture, among other things. It won a gold medal and was identified as best in the category of low-cost, high-impact.

    Expert advice

    He remarked: “When creating a new garden, always settle on a budget first. With a little forward planning it is possible to create an aesthetic space without spending a lot of money.

    “The point is to show how a young couple in a new home can make a great outdoor space on a small budget. This small space of 15ft by 25ft, there’s space for them to relax as well as entertain their friends. The planting is simple and easy to maintain, with evergreen shrubs and grasses among the flowers so the garden looks good all year round.”

    We can help

    If you’re on the lookout for raised beds, or cut to size plywood and other pieces of timber, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Booker Timber we provide many sizes of raised beds and they come in either kit form or assembled.

    Our wood is the finest Scandinavian quality and it is properly treated by tannalisation against the elements, meaning it can stand the test of time. Also, the treatment gives wood a green colour that’s pleasing to the eye and it is safe for children and animals.

    Your own style

    Meanwhile, you might want to buy untreated timber as seen in the photos so that you can varnish or paint it a different colour to suit your own garden theme.

    Raised beds can be perfect on rooftop gardens and city gardens and they are handy for wheelchair users and older people.

    A clear conscience

    Meanwhile, you don’t have to defy your conscience in order to take advantage of our superb products. Our timber is responsibly sourced. Indeed, we are Chain of Custody certified and can go out of our way to ensure that we obtain timber in the most sustainable way.

    If you’re keen to find out more about what we have to offer, just take a look around the rest of our website.

    August 10, 2012

    Choosing the perfect timber for your home improvements

    Cutting News,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 8:53 am

    If you’re on the lookout for cut to size chipboard or other types of timber for your DIY projects, you’ll no doubt want to source the right products at the right prices. By making sure you select the most suitable suppliers, you can help to control your costs while also ensuring you have the right materials for the job.

    As long as you know where to look, you should find it easy to source the products you’re after.

    Property conscious

    There’s no denying the fact that UK consumers are house proud and figures produced by Everest Home Improvements drew attention to this issue. It revealed that more than eight in ten Brits polled wanted to change something about their abodes to make them better. In total, 82 per cent of respondents noted they’d like to enhance their abodes.

    Meanwhile, 30 per cent stated they wanted to make the changes so that their properties would look nicer, while 16 per cent were focussing on making their houses or flats more energy efficient. Following this, 13 per cent of homeowners wanted to boost their standard of living and 11 per cent were eager to raise the value of their properties.

    A gender divide

    It seems as though when it comes to sourcing cut to size MDF and so on to enhance abodes, women may be leading the way. Whereas 85 per cent of female respondents said they wanted to make changes, only 76 per cent of the men questioned revealed a similar intention.

    Location location location

    Another factor that influenced the likelihood that people would want to improve homes was location. While 84 per cent of respondents from the Midlands and Wales wanted to invest in DIY projects like this, this figure fell to 80 per cent among respondents from the south of England. The proportion was even lower in Northern Ireland, where 75 per cent of people wanted to engage in changes.

    Come to us Booker Timber

    Here at Booker Timber we’re experts when it comes to MDF cutting and should have just what you need to help you get on with your DIY projects. We have a vast range of timber related products and you shouldn’t struggle to get just what you’re after at good value prices.

    Accuracy is key

    It’s frustrating if the wood you choose isn’t cut to the correct size. This can throw your project back and prevent you from achieving the best results. Thankfully, our wood is cut to an accuracy of within 0.1mm, meaning you can have total confidence in it.

    To find out more about what we have to offer, just take a look around our website or get in touch with our friendly and helpful team. Meanwhile, if you’re keen to find out how much you would have to pay for your wood, you can fill in an online enquiry form.

    Sourcing superb timber is well worth it

    In order to make sure you benefit from the best results, it’s important you get the most suitable wood around. This can make DIY projects much easier and help you ensure your home is looking great.

    July 23, 2012

    How A Timber Merchant Can Help Artists And Inventors

    CNC Cutting,MDF — Tags: , , , — Booker Timber @ 8:51 am

    From outside the industry, a timber merchant may look like a fairly niche operation. All of the equipment, the beam saws, the precision cutting tools, they are surely only used by architects and carpenters? This is not the case. Our equipment can be used by a variety of people, from artists, inventors, joiners and decorators. If your project requires precision cutting with a 0.1mm degree of accuracy then we can help you.

    What We Can Offer

    We are an independent company with extensive experience and have invested in state-of-the-art technology. By pairing powerful beam saws with computer precision, practically any shape or design can be crafted.

    Automated Machinery

    Computer numerically controlled cutting and routing are two of our most useful and versatile practices. They rely on the automation of engineering tools and cutting equipment. By feeding them specific pieces of information, for example certain points and paths they must follow, saws and blades can quickly set to work yet still produce a high level of accuracy. The speed of the operation helps to keep down costs, delivering a quality result at a reasonable price.

    With some of the biggest beam saws in the UK we can work with sheets up to 6 metres long and 3.8 metres wide. Materials we can work with include MDF, plywood and plastic.

    Cut To Size MDF

    Medium density fibreboard (MDF) is a versatile resource often used by engineers to make cheap prototypes of inventions. This allows them to test the models and work out any flaws before more substantial materials are used.

    MDF also appeals to artists as it is the most warp resistant wood panel available, ensuring that pictures of any medium will endure for years to come.

    MDF is an engineered wood made by breaking down elements of hardwood and softwood into fibres, then mixing it with wax and resin to bind it together. MDF sheets and panels are made by applying high temperatures and pressure. A denser composition than plywood, it is a ubiquitous building material. This is also due to the fact that by its very nature it contains no knots or similar impurities that could make crafting and construction difficult. Unlike hardboard, the internal structure of MDF allows it to withstand heat and moisture without distorting.

    As a merchant we are completely aware of the responsible sourcing of materials. We have achieved Chain of Custody certification, which means that customers can use our services without worrying that they are contributing to the destruction of forestry.

    Our staff have the necessary expertise and experience required when it comes to cutting MDF and using automated machinery. They can make the most of the computer equipment, which can work with sheets up to 90mm thick, and can answer queries regarding specific projects. Designs can be sent through to them beforehand, whether they are detailed blueprints or simple drawings, and they can provide advice that will make the most of the cutting process.

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