British Woodworking Federation - Total support for BWF members

An innovative new initiative developed by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) will provide a ‘one stop shop’ of services to its members to help them develop their companies and their products. Called Total Support Services, the initiative reinforces the Federation’s position as an active and dynamic trade association which is responsive to its members’ needs in a fast changing and challenging business environment.
The range of services on offer has been developed in response to the specific needs expressed by BWF members through questionnaires, Code of Conduct assessments and personal visits to new members. While all BWF members will enjoy preferential rates, Total Support Services will be available to non-members as a commercial venture for the BWF.
Services available in the first phase include Chain of Custody, reflecting the growing demand for certificated timber, ISO14001 Environmental Management System, responding to the growing demand for companies to improve their environmental credentials and ISO 9001 - the internationally recognised Quality Management System. The services have been set up as a basic package to help companies get started, with extra consultancy advice and assistance available to help reach standards if required. Window Energy Ratings, Health & Safety Audits, fire door certification as a Licensed Converter and Window and Door Product Testing will also be available in the new Total Support Services portfolio, with more to come.
The BWF has designed and structured Total Support Services to be as simple and straightforward as possible, making them particularly appealing for smaller businesses, for whom achieving standards and certifications of this kind can be a daunting and time consuming prospect. As literally ‘one stop shop’ services, the BWF and its consultants will manage the whole process, in line with the level of assistance required by each individual company, and costed accordingly.
Scott Marshall has developed Total Support Services and sees the initiative as a natural step for the BWF as the leading representative body for the woodworking and joinery industries. He says: “Providing our members with the technical and business advice they need to run successful, profitable companies has always been a priority - after all that is the role of a good trade association. Total Support Services takes this one step further. The achievement of standards and certification is not only about competitive advantage. Companies must meet the requirements of increasing amounts of legislation, covering all aspects of business practice. Our members have told us what they want and we have responded with Total Support Services, cutting through all the baffling data with expert advice and guidance to achieve the certification and standards they need.”
Head of supply chain solutions at Bovis Lend Lease, Nigel McKay, said: "Chain of Custody is a very positive step forward for the timber industry and we're encouraged that the BWF is helping their members on issues that we, as main contractors, are trying to help our own customers, and ultimately our supply chain, with. There's a real issue for smaller companies, which really need someone who's going to come and work alongside of them. It is great that the BWF is taking on this role and driving this aspect of the industry forward."

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