How can your business stay resilient during these challenging economic times?

This April, the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) AGM will focus on the most pressing challenges facing businesses across the timber supply chain. If you want to gain valuable insights into steering your business through tough times, then don’t miss out on reserving your place. Download the full agenda 

Taking centre stage on the day will be Keynote Speaker Chris Maityard, a well-known figure within the builders’ merchant and wider construction world. He will deliver a pragmatic and interactive session, giving TRA members clear, actionable insights into how they can make their business stronger. It will cover:

• The five most common challenges facing timber merchant and manufacturer businesses today
• How to spot early warning signs in your own business
• Why many businesses struggle with profitability and how to fix it
• Understanding your true cost to serve and where margins are really made or lost
• The importance of establishing clear roles, responsibilities and internal structure
• Cash flow management: why a 13-week forecast can transform decision-making
• Practical approaches to credit control and getting paid on time
• Rethinking growth: focus on profitability rather than scale.

Authoritative, expert advice

As Chief Executive of Moorgate Management, Chris brings both financial expertise and hands-on sector experience, working closely with merchants, distributors and manufacturers across the UK.

Moorgate Management focuses on helping businesses improve their performance, navigate change and plan for growth or exit, with a particular emphasis on operational efficiency, financial control and strategic clarity.

The session will begin with a short overview of current market conditions, including trends across construction, housing and timber supply, helping attendees to benchmark their own business experiences against the wider industry.

Chris will address the most common challenges faced by businesses in this current market and, crucially, what can be done about them. At the heart of the session will be a series of real-world scenarios that Maityard regularly encounters. These reflect the issues most businesses are currently facing – from declining margins and operational inefficiencies to more immediate concerns around cash flow and financial visibility.

Understand and control your situation

A key theme throughout the session will be the importance of transparency within your business. Problems often stem not only from external pressures, but from a lack of internal structure or visibility.

“Sharing practical, real-world insight is critical in a difficult market. In this session we want to give people straightforward, usable advice they can take away and apply immediately.” – Chris Maityard

Do you understand which parts of your business are truly profitable? Are you sufficiently informed about your business’ operational performance? Are roles and responsibilities within the business clear and defined?

Cashflow and credit control

Financial management will play a big part in the session, with a particular focus on cashflow and credit control. Issues around cashflow often the clearest indicators that a business is under pressure. But straightforward tools and processes can make a significant difference, ensuring businesses get an early warning of anything that could prove devastating in future.

The session will highlight practical approaches including the use of 13-week cash flow planning and stronger credit management processes, both of which can give businesses greater control and more time to respond to challenges.

What are the opportunities?

Importantly, Chris will consider the opportunities that exist for businesses willing to think differently, whether that means reassessing growth strategies, exploring collaboration models, or taking a more targeted approach to profitability.

He will also explore the growing importance of operational efficiency and how businesses can refine the way they operate to reduce costs, improve productivity and strengthen their competitiveness, even in a difficult market.

Over to you…

Delivered in a workshop-style format, the seminar will break into smaller groups, allowing for a more interactive debate that gives attendees the chance to explore specific issues in more detail and to discuss how the ideas presented might apply to their own businesses.

“By exploring the common challenges we see across the sector, attendees will be able to sense-check their own operations, carry out a meaningful health check of their business, and identify where small changes can make a significant difference.” – Chris Maityard

We hope that’s whetted your appetite. For TRA members navigating an uncertain trading environment, Chris’ session will be a timely, essential addition to this year’s AGM programme. Reserve your place now.

For more information on Moorgate Management, please visit www.moorgatemanagement.com.

Registration is essential for all attendees, and this event is open exclusively to TRA members. 

If you would also like to book a place at the evening Dinner and Roofscape Awards you must complete this form.

If you have any questions about the day’s events please email or call the TRA office on info@tra.org.uk  / 020 3205 0032