ABOUT THE INDUSTRY

How We Contribute

We contribute through the activities of individuals, businesses and organisations across the whole sector

Our sector comprises a wide range of individuals, companies and organisations in both the private and public sectors that are involved in a number of different activities. Some of their activities are dependent on the production from woods and forests in Scotland and some are connected with imported wood and wood products.

The main categories of businesses are:

  • Nursery companies
  • Woodland management companies
  • Woodland recreation businesses
  • Forestry contractors
  • Harvesting contractors
  • Haulage contractors
  • Primary wood processing companies
  • Adding value companies
  • Timber importing companies
  • Products distributors
  • Retailers and end users
  • Biomass & energy generation
  • Universities & Research organisations

We contribute through the provision of wood & wood products and services

The logs from Scotland’s woods and forests and the imported wood and wood products all contain the carbon taken from the atmosphere and stored in the wood.  In Scotland our logs are used to produce:

  • Sawn timber for use in construction and housebuilding
  • Panelboard products such as Orientated Strand Board (OSB), particle board and medium density fibre board (MDF)
  • Fencing materials
  • Pallets & packaging
  • Light weight coated paper for magazines
  • Paperboard for packaging
  • Generating energy
  • Bedding material for animals

Most of the imported solid wood products are sawn timber and types of panelboard and they are mainly used in the construction, house building and furniture markets.  Most of the paper and paper products we use are imported.

The majority of the economic services the sector offers are centred on the recreational opportunities provided by Scotland’s woods and forests.

Expanding the area of productive coniferous woodlands in Scotland now will help to mitigate climate change and allow the sector to increase the contributions it makes to Scotland’s economy.

We contribute through investment, innovation and research

Companies in Scotland have invested about £1 billion in new equipment and processes over the last 10 years in order to maintain their competitiveness.  Some of this investment has been supported, where necessary, by the Scottish Government through Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The ILG provides a focus for innovation and research to ensure the sector remains competitive and the ILG works closely with Scottish Government’s Departments and organisations and companies within the sector to investigate opportunities.  This can involve bringing people together in Working Groups to address particular issues and working on particular research projects with organisations such as Edinburgh Napier University, the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre and Forest Research.