Once again it’s timber industry award time.  I am not the Oscar type so I never attend but it's always nice to hear of a win.  I have rarely been left disappointed.  It was especially rewarding a couple of years ago when government trade minister and former head of the CBI, Baron Jones of Birmingham (better known as Digby Jones) suggested that the industry had much to learn from Timbmet.

When ones peers and competitors acknowledge that one is doing well it feels good but does it actually change anything commercially?  Trust me; the answer is not that obvious.  Importing forest products is complex and challenging but my feeling is that it's a backroom service; essential but largely hidden.  Rewarding excellence to timber importers is on a par with say 'Power Generator of the Year' or 'Top Refuse Collector'...who really cares unless the lights go off or the garbage piles up in the street?

For a timber industry award ceremony of real meaning look to the Wood Awards.  When the creative manufacturing genius of some of our customers is combined with fantastic design and the natural beauty of wood then we have something to shout from the rooftops about.  The Wood Awards showcases the best in timber.  With some good marketing for the winners (and some of the other fantastic entries) it opens the eyes of the whole population to the timeless splendors of wood. 

It always tickles me that amongst those who get credited for these amazing creations are the timber importers...as though they/we created the wood!  Best, I think, to credit Mother Nature and confine the suppliers to their own award ceremony, which outside the timber industry raises precious few eyebrows.