The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), the trade association and business support organisation for timber frame manufacturers and their suppliers, is hosting a free networking event in Belfast for Northern Ireland businesses on Thursday 27 September.

In the third of a series of events around the UK, the UKTFA is extending an open invitation to all local timber frame companies and related supply chain to find out how they can join in the benefits of a recent boom in the construction sector. Experts will be on hand to explain what support is available to grow their businesses as well as addressing current technical developments within the industry.

More than 50 people have already booked for the event, to be held at the Malone Hotel, Belfast, which will provide a platform for many new members to find out more about the Association as well as a networking opportunity for existing members.

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One in 13 new homes in Northern Ireland is now built using timber frame construction. Although the smallest of the UK’s housing markets, Northern Ireland has recorded the highest increase in the rate of housebuilding in recent years.

According to the latest available statistics, timber frame’s market growth in 2005 was 3% in Scotland and 11% in Wales, but it shot up by 14% in Northern Ireland. There were more than 1,100 timber frame homes started there in 2005, almost double the numbers recorded in 2003.

The use of timber frame construction to build new homes in Northern Ireland increased across almost all types of homes in 2005. Timber frame’s production of terraced homes increased by 35%, apartments and flatted developments were up by 26% and the number of detached homes built with timber frame increased by 12% last year.

This latest success brings the timber frame industry’s market share to almost 8% in Northern Ireland, up from 7% in 2004.

It will be chaired by Lawrence Young, chairman of the UKTFA’s membership committee, and will feature presentations on Building Regulations by Chris Sanders of Caledonian University and Steven Streets, UKTFA technical manager, and on training initiatives in the timber frame industry by Ray Curran, UKTFA education and training manager. To book a place, call Bob Davis on 01259 272085.

(CL)