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Scottish Forest Industries Cedric Wilkins, Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Forest Industries Cedric Wilkins, Scottish Enterprise. Presentation to Irish National Forest Strategy Conference 12 th March 2004 www.forestryscotland.com. Why is Scottish Enterprise supporting the Forest Industries cluster?. Important cluster (worth £1.3 bn to the economy)

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Scottish Forest Industries Cedric Wilkins, Scottish Enterprise

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  1. Scottish Forest IndustriesCedric Wilkins, Scottish Enterprise Presentation to Irish National Forest Strategy Conference 12th March 2004 www.forestryscotland.com

  2. Why is Scottish Enterprise supporting the Forest Industries cluster? • Important cluster (worth £1.3 bn to the economy) • Big opportunity for Scotland (resource is doubling to 10mm3 by 2020) • Enthusiasm and engagement of industry • Government support (FCS secondment) • SE network can make a difference

  3. Why aCluster? • An inclusive approach to development – throughout the wood chain into government, research and infra-structure • Both strategic and action oriented • A cluster is a group of inter-related industries whose linkages mutually reinforce their competitive advantage • Not just competitive firms or industries - but competitive clusters • Co-operating to compete or “co-opetition” • Cluster Map as a key tool

  4. Roots for Growth: Strategy for Action • RfG now completed second year • Partnership with Forest Industries Development Council • Leadership Group drawn from all parts of the cluster provides strategic direction and priorities for action • Meets quarterly and is supported by Network team

  5. Key objectives – Competitiveness and Innovation • Developing knowledge • New products and markets • Strengthening the network • Developing the links with the wider community

  6. Developing Knowledge • Collaborating in research and best practice: e.g. knowledge about spruce for new market applications New research resources, Proof of Concept • Centre for Timber Engineering: Research programme, KTP schemes, new degree offer • A better understanding of wood amongst users: FEI, CPD and visit programmes • Training programme development: Barony College, Contractor training, career development, management training support

  7. New Products and Markets – developing home based advantage • Looking at major processing opportunities: e.g. Energy, Pulp and Paper, EWPs, Sawmilling Forest Industries Investment Group FIIG • Bio-energy from wood: 12 new initiatives underway includingmajor £65M Powergen scheme at Lockerbie • Construction: Timber Frame industry links, new engineered products, new markets e.g. timber cladding, panel systems • Wood as a sustainable material: demonstration projects, a key message for all

  8. Strengthening the Network • E-business: e-Forum: hub programme recognised as best practise in SE - Standards developed, new level of awareness but low rate of application • Change management programme: benchmarking showing increased uptake • Strategic sites for major processing facilities: SPPG sites allocated; Lockerbie cluster • Transport and logistics: Timber Transport forum established - demonstration projects, preferred routes, and codes of practice developed

  9. Developing links with the wider community • With other clusters (biotech seminar on European bio-forestry, energy/bio fuel research, tourism projects, “wild harvest”: food, NTFP) • Rural development: hardwoods; Forest Fest and IFF, community initiatives; link with Scottish Forestry Strategy; Regional Cluster Groups; other “countries” in the UK • Overseas links: e.g. New Zealand, Scandinavia, Canada, Euro programmes

  10. Some Learning from New Zealand • Leadership Group “Learning Journey” • Need to know more about our main species and its fit for purpose applications • Need to broaden and localise the work of the cluster: new opportunity to encourage and collaborate with emerging cluster organisations in England and Wales • Need to provide more coherent training support • Importance of co-location

  11. Key Issues • Fibre supply chain must become more efficient to successfullyhost major new investment • Private growers must engage better with their markets; resourceinvestors must become more active. • Government policies, especially in bio-energy, must becomemore supportive to the commercial forest industry • Research community and industry need to work much moreclosely and strategically – much done, more to do • Industry needs to present itself better to government and thepublic

  12. Priorities for the future • Promote the opportunities for inward and indigenous investment in energy, paper, and added value timber products through the FIIG • Further strengthen links between research and industry particularly through CTE and with other clusters – e.g. Biotechnology energy and tourism • Promote the role of timber in sustainable construction e.g. in joinery and laminated structural timber • Enhance career pathways and improve access to training • Consolidate work of transport and e-business forum and establish regional cluster groups • Foster a stronger and more coherent voice for the forest industries

  13. Scottish Forest IndustriesCedric Wilkins, Scottish Enterprise www.forestryscotland.com

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