The pandemic has exposed the fragility of our global supply chains for all manufactured products, and the building products sector (including timber products) is no exception. There have been a lot of media and rumours about timber products supply, with little regard to the truth.
The Australian timber products supply is made up of local and imported products. Like most other construction materials, it is subject to complex global building and construction fluctuations and a range of tight and loose regulatory and environmental protections in different countries. Overlay this; timber products are a renewable resource that takes several decades to mature, creating many unknowns.
To discuss the current supply situation, WoodSolution has gathered industry leaders to discuss the truth behind timber supply concerns.
Speakers
Christine Briggs -- National Marketing Manager, AKD
Christine is a Sales and Marketing Executive Leader who has delivered brand preference and market share growth in B2B timber segments for 30 years. Transitioning from a full-time Executive career to Board positions and Consulting. Christine is currently a non-Executive Director for Forest and Wood Products Australia. Christine is passionate about businesses’ role in sustainable communities, supporting local and using diversity and inclusion to do this.
John Halkett -- General Manager, Australian Timber Importers Federation
John is the general manager of the Australian Timber Importers Federation, managing director of Sydney-based Forestlands Consulting, and a director of forest carbon company Leaf Carbon. He has also served on the Global Timber forum board and is a member of the NSW Forest Industries Taskforce. John has expertise in temperate and tropical forest management and forest-based industries. He has held senior positions in government forest and conservation agencies in Australia and New Zealand.
Gavin Matthew -- Chief Executive Officer, of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia
Gavin has over 2 decades of diverse experience in industry policy development and advocacy, natural resource management, forest industry supply chain, wood processing and consulting. Gavin has been a passionate and effective advocate for the forest products sector, including in the areas of processing and manufacturing policy, WHS, technical skills, certification, energy, water, climate change, trade, and the environment.