There’s a quiet but important shift happening in the timber industry. Three of the UK’s leading sawmillers — BSW Timber, James Jones & Sons, and Glennon Brothers — have joined forces with Confor (The Confederation of Forest Industries) to push one clear message: it’s time to champion UK-grown timber and recognise the quality and potential of C16-graded wood.
This new Championing UK Timber campaign aims to strengthen the domestic supply chain, reduce reliance on imports, and highlight the environmental and economic benefits of using home-grown materials in construction. And it’s already gaining support at government level.
Mary Creagh CBE MP, Minister for Nature, has welcomed the campaign, noting that increased use of UK timber can play a key role in delivering the country’s environmental and economic goals — from reducing carbon emissions to boosting rural growth.
For anyone working with or specifying timber, this is a message worth paying attention to.
The Case for UK Timber
The UK currently imports around 80% of the timber it uses. That means most of the wood in our homes, gardens, and building sites has travelled thousands of miles — despite the fact that we grow and process excellent softwood right here.
The partnership between Confor and the sawmillers sets out a clear focus:
Grow → Manufacture → Specify → Build
A simple but powerful approach designed to connect the dots between forestry, sawmilling, design, and construction.
At the heart of it all is the idea that we can, and should, use more of our own timber — particularly structural grades like C16.
Why C16 Matters
C16 timber is often underestimated. It’s strong, reliable, and perfectly suited to a wide range of construction applications — from framing and joists to cladding and landscaping.
Yet it’s sometimes overlooked in favour of imported C24, often specified out of habit rather than necessity. The truth is that for many applications, C16 performs exactly as required, offering comparable strength and stability when specified correctly.
By promoting C16, the industry can:
Cut carbon emissions by reducing transport miles.
Support rural economies by creating demand for UK forestry and sawmilling.
Enhance sustainability by making better use of our renewable resources.
Improve resilience by shortening supply chains and reducing import dependency.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
This initiative isn’t just about grades or numbers — it’s about changing perceptions. It’s about demonstrating that UK-grown timber is not a compromise, but a credible, sustainable, and future-ready choice.
The more we use C16, the stronger our domestic supply chain becomes. That means more investment in local processing, better woodland management, and greater confidence across the entire industry — from grower to builder.
As Confor’s partnership demonstrates, collaboration is key. When sawmillers, specifiers, and policymakers pull in the same direction, the benefits reach far beyond the forest.
A Step Towards a Stronger, Greener Future
At The Timber Guide, we see this as a positive and necessary move — a call to rethink how we value and specify timber.
Championing UK-grown C16 isn’t just about patriotism or preference. It’s about practicality, sustainability, and common sense. The resources are here. The expertise exists. And with the right awareness and support, our home-grown timber can play a far greater role in shaping the buildings and landscapes of tomorrow.
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