From wardrobes to weatherproof decking, West Fraser has the answer for housebuilders

More favourable borrowing costs led to September 2024’s market figures indicating that UK house prices have risen at their fastest rate for two years, adding to the political pressure on housebuilders and their supply chain partners to increase the level of completions in order to meet demand. Timber panel product specialist  West Fraser is well placed to help customers of all sizes respond; these include companies which are embracing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) as well as those still preferring to employ traditional  building techniques. 

As a manufacturer whose range encompasses multiple grades of MDF used for kitchens and other interior fit-out work, to its ubiquitous  SterlingOSB Zero , and super tough CaberDek,  which offers 60 days’ exposure resistance, West Fraser has long been renowned for creating products that meet the physical challenges involved in creating new homes. In addition, the company has also been investing heavily improving sustainability while also enhancing service levels.

Not only is the production process for SterlingOSB Zero free of any added formaldehyde, along with the rest of the range it is made in plants like Inverness where all of the energy comes from guaranteed renewable sources, while efforts continue to drastically reduce the use of fuels such as diesel, with a switch to electric powered fork-lifts and loaders. 

In fact, Inverness is on track to achieve its 2030 sustainability targets within the next year thanks to changes such as replacing the use of gas for the drying plant through to investment in biomass technology.  Other sites are also making good progress on their own road maps to Net Zero.

West Fraser makes significant contributions to cutting carbon emissions by reducing waste, both in customers’ factories and on site, with products like CaberFloor, CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero being dimensionally very accurate as well as rugged in use.  This means that, when contractors are laying floors and roof decks or closing in dormer structures and other features, far less time is spent on alignment or cutting.  Consistency of size is also of enormous value to the suppliers of timber frame wall panel systems, including roof and floor cassettes or SIPs.  In common with many installation contractors, these customers also often chose to make use of West Fraser’s own adhesives, tapes and other ancillary products.

Dom West, West Fraser’s Sales Director UK & Ireland, comments: “The recent introduction of products like SterlingOSB Zero PrimedPlus, which is ideal for site hoardings or securing buildings, and which needs no painting, as well as the new version of CaberDek that is BBA-certified for 60 days, underlines our commitment to ensuring the range is fit for any purpose.  Meanwhile, our dedicated key account managers make certain customers’ needs will always be met, including communicating with the buyers and plant or site managers to verify our production schedules will cope with any spikes in their usage. In addition, all relevant technical support on certification, and particularly safety, are provided in a timely manner. Our UK-wide production and distribution coverage offers security of supply to the UK’s housebuilders and to their supply chain manufacturers producing the SIPs, closed panel systems and other fabrications that are enabling the industry to increase efficiency and ultimately build more new homes.  It is a partnership we are committed to expanding.”     

All West Fraser panel products produced in the UK are net carbon negative and manufactured in mills that have obtained the coveted environmental ISO 14001 accreditation.  Responsibly sourced, the panels are FSC® certified (C012533) and created from locally grown timber, cutting embodied carbon from transportation.

For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com/