HOMEBUYERS concerned about the environment can have a clearer conscience thanks to a North-East manufacturer.
John B Smith Limited, of Stockton, which makes up to 1,500 rafters a week for house-builders and the construction industry, is ensuring its timber comes only from well-managed forests.
The £2m turnover company has been awarded Chain of Custody certification by the Forest Stewardship Scheme and the timber industry's programme for the endorsement of forest certification scheme.
Chain of Custody is supported by organisations including the World Wildlife Fund, United Nations environment programme and World Conservation Monitoring Centre. It provides evidence that timber imports, mostly from Scandinavia, originate from certified, well-managed forests, where there are replanting programmes.
Director Andrew Taylor said: "Chain of Custody means our timber is tracked from the forest through all the steps of the production process until it reaches the end-user.
"It guarantees the identity and integrity of our products which, in the current climate, is important."
John Husband, a management consultant with Synergy Interactive Limited, worked with John B Smith Limited to install the Chain of Custody process at its Dugdale Street factory.
He said: "John B Smith Limited is setting an example of what industry can do to protect the environment."
Published: 21/12/2004
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