Brexit Day is fast approaching and with so much talk about deals, no deals, delays and backstops, it is easy to become paralysed with the uncertainty. In fact, the UK is apparently so intrigued with the Brexit situation that, out of a third of adults surveyed, 71% said they are following more news items just … Continue reading “Brexit – keep calm and carry on”

How stable is the housing market heading into 2019? According to residential property experts at Knight Frank, despite the uncertainties caused by Brexit, on balance it’s looking positive. Analysts carried out an extensive survey with housebuilders and developers in the UK to understand their views on how housing will progress in 2019, and the response … Continue reading “Housing market predictions for 2019”

Last month, Gabor Vince and Frank Kyne, two beneficiaries of the TRA online training programme, visited the Vida Borgstena mill in Sweden as a reward for getting the highest scores on the course.   Both trussed rafter designers, Frank and Gabor began their trip with a visit to a forest in Borgstena, just a few … Continue reading “Top of the crops”

The Government has announced amendments to part B of the building regulations which have implications for timber components of buildings in and on external walls of high-rise developments.   The regulations specify that for residential developments above 18m, all materials in or on the external wall must be of European Classification A2-s1, d0 or Class … Continue reading “Combustible materials amendment to approved document B for buildings over 18m”

Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) chairman, Jonathan Fellingham, has now stepped down from his role after three years of leading the TRA in its 2020 strategy. The search for a new chairman will begin imminently.   Jonathan said:   “Regrettably, I have to make this decision ahead of the next TRA AGM due to personal circumstances. … Continue reading “Search for new TRA chair to start soon”

The UK Government has issued information for businesses on how to prepare for a scenario in which the UK leaves the EU without agreement – a ‘no deal’ scenario. The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) is classified as a new approach regulation and so the following information comes from the government guidance paper Trading goods regulated … Continue reading “Guidance for preparing for a ‘no deal’ Brexit”

Environment Minister David Rutley MP yesterday committed to “strengthening the timber trade” during a parliamentary debate on the implications of Brexit on the timber industry. Describing the industry as a “real priority” for Government, the Minister also pledged to make sure that timber importers face as “few additional costs as possible” after Brexit. The comments came … Continue reading “Government pledges to prioritise the timber industry after Brexit”

Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE), the UK’s leading manufacturer of structural timber components, today (Thursday 1st November) announces the acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss. Established in 2014, Cambridge Roof Truss limited (CRTL) designs, manufactures and supplies roof trusses, joists and spandrel panels to leading housebuilders and construction companies in the UK. The company has built a … Continue reading “DTE acquires Cambridge Roof Truss”

As the construction industry continues its struggle with skills shortages, the trussed rafter industry is working hard to upskill employees with sign-ups for specialist training quadrupling. The online training course, run by the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) in association with Edinburgh Napier University, is proving popular with trussed rafter designers. Two beneficiaries of the training … Continue reading “Online training logs a win for trussed rafter designers”