Building Global Connections: Sharing Timber Prefabrication Practices to Spark Global Growth

Today it was our great pleasure to host a group from the Canadian Wood Council as part of their UK tour exploring timber innovations. Just over 30 manufacturers, developers, educators, designers, and contractors joined us to gain a deeper understanding of timber prefabrication practices in the UK.

Canada is grappling with many of the same challenges as the UK, including labour shortages, rising housing demand, affordability constraints, and the need for greater energy and material efficiency. Recognising the potential to learn from innovative practices being implemented by companies in the UK and Europe, particularly timber offsite manufacturing, the team at Fleming Homes was delighted to be on their itinerary as the group passed through the South of Scotland.

There was huge value in being able to debate some of the manufacturing and pre-fabrication challenges we face today with a highly engaged group of timber professionals. We were pleased to share our experiences as an SME Scottish manufacturer of traditional open panel systems with close to 40 years of experience. The discussion was rich and prompted some fresh thinking all around.

Hayden Martin, who welcomed the group on Fleming Homes’s behalf, said,

“The visit was a welcome opportunity for discussion and learning on both sides, helping to drive innovation in timber frame construction and fostering collaboration with like-minded professionals”.

Peter Moonen, National Sustainability Manager at the Canadian Wood Council, added,

“The housing and affordability issues the UK and Canada face are going to require collaboration to solve. Collaboration between industry and government, large and small companies, and sharing solutions and expertise across the ocean will be essential. The efficiency, quality, and productivity we experienced at Fleming Homes – not to mention their hospitality! – was inspiring for our delegates. The team at Fleming Homes has a genuine passion for focusing on clients’ needs while ensuring both value and sustainability. We very much appreciated the openness of the staff and the exchange of ideas and solutions both of which were highlights of the visit”.