A timber frame manufacturer based near the Powys border has become the first framing-focused business in Britain to achieve a prestigious certification promoting the use of home-grown timber.
Lowfield Timber Frames in Marton, near Welshpool has secured Grown in Britain (GiB) certification, marking what the company says is a significant milestone in its commitment to responsible timber sourcing and supporting the UK's forestry sector.
The company, which has been manufacturing timber frame systems for more than 20 years, achieved the certification as part of its work supporting Whitbread's construction programme, which places a strong emphasis on responsible sourcing, traceability and the use of British-grown timber.
Managing director Darren Jarman said the business sees the achievement as an important step towards developing a stronger and more sustainable domestic timber supply chain.
“Whilst the UK construction industry remains heavily reliant on imported timber, we believe it is important to support the ambitions set out in the Government's Timber in Construction Roadmap,” he said.
“We need to generate greater social and economic value from our UK forests whilst safeguarding our long-term timber security.
“Achieving Grown in Britain certification is an important step in that journey, and we're proud to be supporting the incredible work Whitbread are doing to promote responsible sourcing and home-grown timber.”
The Government's Timber in Construction Roadmap sets out plans to increase the use of timber in construction while supporting the UK's forestry sector and improving long-term timber security.
Lowfield said the certification provides customers with greater confidence about the provenance of timber used in projects while helping to promote the use of responsibly sourced British-grown timber.
The company is also exploring how home-grown timber can be engineered into high-performance construction products for future building projects.
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Mr Jarman said the accreditation represented more than simply achieving another industry standard.
“For Lowfield, this is about much more than achieving a certification.
“It's about being part of a wider conversation around where our timber comes from, how we use it and how we can create greater value from the resources we have here in the UK.
“We're incredibly proud to be the first timber frame manufacturer in Britain to achieve Grown in Britain certification, and we're excited to continue working with partners who share our ambition to promote responsible sourcing and home-grown timber.”
Lowfield said the achievement reflects its wider focus on sustainability, including reducing material waste, precision manufacturing and helping deliver energy-efficient buildings.
The company hopes the move will help encourage greater use of British-grown timber across the construction industry while strengthening the UK's timber supply chain for the future.
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