The Timber Trade Federation is advising all timber users and buyers to strengthen their purchasing strategies in dialogue with their suppliers, as a lack of stock on the ground and tight supply conditions are set to continue well into 2021.

The very challenging situation for the timber supply chain in 2020, affected by pandemic-related issues and massive changes in market dynamics, and exacerbated by high levels of global demand for timber and wood products, is setting the scene for continuing tight timber supply conditions certainly into Q2, 2021, if not longer, warns the Timber Trade Federation.

Early in the pandemic many European sawmills were temporarily shut. Lockdowns across the UK and Europe then produced a massive surge in demand for timber for DIY and garden projects, which began to impact supplies through to Britain’s construction sector. Additional high demand for structural timbers, particularly CLS and carcassing, from across Europe and especially from the USA, has also affected the amount of material available in traditionally well-stocked markets such as the British builders’ merchant sector.

With demand continuing at a high level into 2021, there has been no ‘quiet season’ in Britain’s building trade, and thus little opportunity for sawmillers and importers to replenish stocks on the ground here in the UK to their previously-plentiful levels.

COVID-19 is still producing spikes in cases, such as that recently seen in the UK’s largest timber-supplying partner, Sweden, where an increase in cases has resulted in a tightening of operating conditions and delays where vessel crews are required to self-isolate. Import logistics, especially with the end of the Brexit transition period and the new arrangements with the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, may add further pressures on supplies, as the timber sector will need to compete with many other industries in obtaining road haulage capacity within the UK.

To ensure available material is distributed equitably, many Timber Trade Federation members are continuing to operate on customer allocations. Volumes are likely to be available but on much longer lead times than previously. Merchants, manufacturers and building contractors are advised to contact their supplier to discuss future needs, and similarly to become more aware of the factors influencing suppliers’ capacity to meet demand. Companies without a longer-term purchasing strategy will struggle to replenish stocks through just-in-time buying in Q1 and Q2, 2021.

David Hopkins, Chief Executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said: “Pre-COVID, timber buyers were used to their being plentiful landed stocks available to meet immediate demand. Suppliers were also used to having time over traditionally quite periods in the trade to re-build stocks for the following season. This situation has now been turned on its head. It is understandable that many customers should be surprised by, and angry about, the new reality we are facing together. The reported price inflation has also made it difficult for some manufacturers to accurately price projects for customers.

“We would like to reassure the wider sector that volume supplies are available, though on much longer lead times than we have all been used to. This situation will be with us well into 2021 so we advise contacting your suppliers to discuss meeting your needs for the year ahead. The challenge going forward will be to achieve the balanced product mix needed by the market, a factor which may be further complicated by the haulage demands and new customs and plant health procedures engendered by Brexit.”

There are over 5,000 asbestos-related disease deaths each year caused by health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Whether you’re a tradesperson, building owner, licensed contractor, or a member of the public, it’s vital to recognise asbestos-containing materials and know what to do so you can protect yourself and others.

You can visit the HSE asbestos website to make sure you’ve got the appropriate information, instruction and advice. Ots Asbestos essentials publication can be downloaded for free and covers the actions needed to reduce exposure to an adequate level.

The new Test to Release for International Travel scheme will come into force on 15 December for passengers arriving into England from a destination not on the travel corridor list. Under the scheme, you can choose to pay for a COVID‐19 test from a private provider after five days of self‐isolation, with a negative result meaning you do not need to isolate further.

Business directors bringing ‘significant economic benefit’ to the UK have now been added to the list of jobs that qualify for travel exemptions, meaning they do not need to self‐isolate on arrival in the UK.

The Construction Leadership Council was created with a remit to drive improvement within the construction sector. Since its creation, it has worked to encourage collaboration to build a better industry, and to act as a bridge between the public and private sectors in pursuit of this objective. The challenge of responding to the Covid19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of this, and the necessity of creating a more robust and sustainable industry which can build back better as the UK enters the period of recovery. This is why the CLC, through its own members and also through its wider links with the industry, has collaborated and supported the combined efforts of the Cabinet Office and Infrastructure & Projects Authority, with input from across the public sector, to develop and publish the Construction Playbook, and to endorse its aim of creating a more strategic relationship between Government and the construction sector.

Government Departments, other public bodies and the wider public sector represent key construction clients, investing in nationally significant infrastructure projects, capital programmes such as those in education and healthcare, projects that improve our cities and towns, and supporting the delivery of new homes. This spectrum of activity across the sector means the public sector has the potential to drive industry transformation, and how it approaches the development and delivery of construction can provide a powerful impetus for changes in industry practice and culture that extends beyond the projects it funds directly.

That is why the publication of the Construction Playbook is significant. It aims to embed a new approach to the procurement and delivery of construction projects and programmes, which is more collaborative, engages the whole supply chain, encourages investment in innovation and skills, and supports a more sustainable, resilient and profitable industry, capable of delivering higher-quality, safer and better performing built assets for its clients. It will create the foundation for a new approach to construction, where we can utilise digital and offsite manufacturing technologies to increase the capability of the industry, and accelerate the delivery of built assets.

It will also aim to deliver a better and fairer industry, with stronger and more open relationships between the industry and its clients, fewer disputes, and more equitable contractual terms, that ensure prompt and fair payment and a balanced allocation of risk, where these are managed by the organisation best placed to do so. Finally, it will help ensure that investment in construction projects creates the greatest economic, social and environmental value possible, and contributes to the delivery of strategic policy objectives such as our legal obligation to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 and levelling up across the UK.

These goals are our goals at the CLC. We share the Government’s desire to improve performance through new ways of working. But publishing the Playbook is just the first step in the process. For real change to happen, it is important that both Government and the industry embed the principles of the new approach, and invest in their capability to deliver this. The Government will be working to implement this across all central government Departments and public bodies, and mandating the adoption of this approach whilst recognising there is no-one-size-fits all approach to delivery. The CLC will work with organisations across the industry to ensure that this effort is matched, and that the public and private sectors can support each other in this shared endeavour.

 

 

Andy Mitchell
Co-Chair
Construction Leadership Council

Brexit looms, a deal remains elusive and we continue to be inundated by messages from the Secretary of State and various government departments to, “get ready”, but there remain some real challenges and uncertainty.  There are some practical things you can do, but “Get ready” may mean in some cases “brace yourself and be prepared to flex fast”.  At FIS we have produced the Risk Assessment Toolkit and continue to run webinars on key issues (next is the 10th December at Midday).  Here we look at three of the big issues impacting the Finishes and Interiors Sector.

ISSUE 1: People (The Points Based Immigration System)

The new points-based system means there is additional cost to bring workers in, even if you can get to the 70 points required, which is very difficult for most occupations in our sector.

The Home Office have not, in the opinion of FIS, adequately considered the COVID effect when applying the Points Based Immigration System.  It is creating a real concern on three levels.  Firstly many skilled workers have left the UK due to COVID and a combination of currency fluctuation and work at competitive rates in or near their home country means that they do not now intend to return.  Across the sector we employ around 175,000 people, circa 40% of all workers are from the EU and according to the ONS the number of these workers available has declined by 40% to Q3 2020.  The Home Office have not adequately taken this into account when appraising the shortage occupation list.  Secondly they are relying on out-dated Standard Occupational Codes (2010 as opposed to 2020) with no granularity applied to the occupational areas included in “other” categories.   As a consequence, trades such as ceiling fixing and drylining have been classified wrongly as semi-skilled.  Finally the system fails to recognise and guidance is not forthcoming about workers employed through the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), via agencies and through umbrellas, the tax system recognises the need for a contingent workforce in construction, the immigration system does not.

Whilst we had been reassured that the Points Based System was designed to be flexible, a recent meeting with the Home Office advised that no change is likely until 2022.  We are optimistic that we can increase our trainee and apprenticeship programmes, BUT we need time to train (e.g. 18 months to train a dryliner).  A drive to employment seems to be motivating Government, but this requires a radical rethink of procurement practices in construction.  In the interim this leaves us with the potential of a shortfall in labour that could inflate rates, delay programmes and projects starts and could even make it difficult to fulfil existing contracts.

The solution must be to look at phasing the changes in over a longer period, allowing applications for pre-settled status to run into next year.  We can then work with the Migration Advisory Committee to understand the impact and how we can progressively tighten the immigration process together, controlling flow of workers at the same time as improving the training infrastructure. The alternative is huge uncertainty and business failures damaging our ability to adapt as a sector.  This will in turn impact the nations home building and infrastructure programmes and constrain the potential of construction for the UK economy.

FIS continues to lobby on behalf of our community here, but if you are impacted, we have prepared a template letter that you can use to contact your MP.  To receive a copy of this template, simply email iainmcilwee@thefis.org

You can access a further details and advice on the Points Based Immigration System Here.

ISSUE 2: Product (Movement and Marking)

For many who already export or import products, change will largely mean a bit more admin, tariffs and communication to reassure your clients.  If you are already trading internationally, then it should be relatively straightforward.  

First time importers and exporters (i.e. those that have not previously purchased product or sold product from outside the EU) you will need to add some new processes, make sure they understand the product marking and consider tax implications and any tarriffs, but beyond a bit of bureaucracy it should be manageable.  We have had questions raised as to whether UK Test Standards will still be applicable for export – realistically there should be no change if Building Regulations or Codes in the respective country are not altered to remove reference.

However, there is a big BUT…. 

If your products are currently subject to the Construction Products Regulation and rely on CE marking then it may not be so straightforward.   Whilst there is a 12-month transition (to January 2022) before UKCA and UK NI marks become mandatory, as far as the EU is concerned all UK notified bodies lose their status to issue CE Marking Certificates from midnight on the 31^st December 2020.  Exporters need to be working now with their notified body (or notified test laboratories) about transfer of certificates to European Notified Bodies and validity of evidence for ongoing CE Marking if declaring using The Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVCP) System Level 3 (e.g. Gypsum Products, Flooring and Internal and external wall and ceiling finishes) .  

The impact goes beyond exporters, this EU Commission stance means than any Declaration of Performance (to support CE Marking) that relies on Engineered Technical Assessments (ETAs) from a UK Notified Body or where CE marking declarations is made using AVCP System Level 3 and where Tests have been conducted in a UK Notified Laboratory, will be invalidated from 1^st January 2021.   Government has confirmed that, if you cannot switch to an EU Notified body to continue CE Marking, you will be expected to start UKCA Marking with immediate effect from 1st January 2021. 

Above applies to all supplying the GB market from 1st January 2021 (regardless of whether you are an importer, exporter or domestic manufacturer).  UK Approved Bodies will be allowed to issue the UKCA mark from 1^st January 2021, but the legal structure is not yet in place and concerns are mounting that it may not be in time.   Time is running away to manage the associated logistics of stamping or labelling products, uploading and replacing declarations of performance and updating manuals/marketing literature and packaging.

A question therefore remains what to do if you cannot maintain your old CE certificate (due to the status of your notified body) and UK Approval Bodies are not ready to issue a UKCA certificate to allow the UK company to operate legally?   Government Guidance on UKCA confirms that “in some cases you will need to apply the new UKCA marking to goods being sold in Great Britain immediately from 1 January 2021”.  It is important to remember that the entity “placing the product” on the market will have responsibility here.  

As well as what to put on the product when you make it, you must also consider stock and  if you have manufactured for stock that has not yet been “placed on the market” or wish to supply into Northern Ireland (where UK Approved Bodies can play more of a role initially and support the issue of the UK NI mark).  It is also vital to consider if your product is a system or an assembly (a set of discrete components), if the latter, you will need to consider the CE marking of each individual item.

BREXIT: CLC Guide to Conformity Marking of Construction Products

Brexit Update: Demystifying Product Marking post Brexit

ISSUE 3: Process (Possible Delays, Costs and Tarriffs)

There are growing concerns around delays at UK ports holding up crucial deliveries. This weekend the Builders Merchant Federation warned that the ports were becoming a “major issue” for its members with products that would normally take one week to clear, taking up to four.

Since September, the country’s biggest container port, Felixstowe, has been handling about 30% more goods than usual, with businesses rushing to replenish stock after the end of lockdowns and building stockpiles before the end of the Brexit transition period.  As a consequence of hold-ups there have even been reports that loads destined for the UK being partially onloaded or dumped at European ports.

According to the BMF the high level of demand has prevented the building trade from stockpiling in the run-up to Brexit.  Shortage areas mentioned include screws, timber, ironmongery, tiles, fixings and electrical products.  A fear is that this could drive further inflation.

Clearly depending on your position in the supply chain, the impact will impact you in different ways, but one thing that is vital is that we must all check our contracts to ensure that any responsibility and impact of delays is not unfairly set as our responsibility.

You can access contractual advice via the FIS Brexit Toolkit here

Ongoing work

FIS will continue to represent your interests through the Construction Leadership Council and with the various Government Departments calling for flexibility and stronger guidance.

In the meantime, we encourage you to visit our Brexit Toolkit here

Our next Brexit Webinar takes place on 10th December at Midday

BREXIT: CLC Guide to Conformity Marking of Construction Products

Blog prepared by Iain McIlwee 8th December 2020, updated on the 10th December (correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing!).