The eleven trade bodies representing the supply chain of the forestry and timber industries have signed an historic Industry Accord in order to improve competitiveness and performance across the sector.

The Accord was signed at the offices of the Timber Trade Federation by the Chief Executives of each of the Associations. It commits each to working together in areas of common interest and strategic goals, in particular to ensure that stakeholders see a joined up, collaborative approach and that best use is made of available funding and resources.

Implicit in this objective is an industry focus on customer needs and a drive for continual improvement in performance. The Accord establishes a framework and methods of working between the signatories to achieve its objectives.

John White, Chief Executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said: "This Accord formalises what we have often done on an informal basis - work together for the common good of the sector and our customers. The UK timber industry is worth roughly £10 billion a year - bigger than cement, concrete and a lot of other materials - and plays a vital role in our economy. Yet it can often seem overlooked as this is split between over 7500 small firms. This Accord will help us to act as one and show the importance of our sector to the UK economic recovery and low-carbon development."

The Three Accord Principles:

The signatories of the UK Timber Industries Associations' Accord agree to:

1. Work together on timber representation, promotion and market development activity whenever it is feasible to do so. The timber industry needs to work together in complementary and mutually supportive ways to achieve maximum impact from its resources.

2. Endorse and support to the best of their abilities any initiative by any signatory to this Accord that is in line with this objective.

3. Recognise the close relationship that each signatory has with its own community and to use these close relationships to best effect when planning and undertaking any new initiative or activity. Signatories undertake to consider the opportunities from working with others in order to share resources and costs and to extend outreach and impact.

The Signatories of the Accord are:

Iain Mcilwee, Chief Executive, British Woodworking Federation;

Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive Confor;

John Dye, President Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation

Andrew Abbott, Chief Executive, Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA)

John White, Chief Executive, Timber Trade Federation

Nick Boulton, Director, Trussed Rafter Association

David Sulman, Director, UK Forest Products Association

Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive, UK Timber Frame Association

David Hopkins, Director, Wood for Good

Alastair Kerr, Director General, Wood Panel Industries Federation

Steve Young, Wood Protection Association & Timber Cladding and Decking Association