Feed aggregator

JCB has marked a major manufacturing milestone with the production of its one millionth engine. Production started in 2004 at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire in the UK and expanded to JCB India in 2010 with the opening of a dedicated plant in Ballabgarh, Delhi. Source: Timberbiz From three engines a day 20 years ago, JCB now produces around 500 a day. To have made one million engines in 20 years is quite some achievement. The JCB engine is well respected around the world for its reliability and appreciated by customers. JCB machines work in dirty and hot and cold climates, and from the moment they go to a customer, they are working hard and doing a full day’s shift. The engine really is the beating heart of that reputation for reliability. “It was a major decision at the time to make our own engines and I was directly involved in that; it has paid off and I’m very pleased we made the decision,” Anthony Bamford, JCB Chairman said. “As we hit the milestone of producing one million engines, the time is right to acknowledge the part my played father in the design, not only of this engine, but other engines which he designed with other people in the past. “My father died in 2001, so our engines were running as prototypes by that time, and he had a lot to do with it. I’m thankful he was involved in this engine so many years ago.” A team of more than 150 engineers is currently engaged in developing hi-tech hydrogen combustion engines for use in JCB machinery as part of a £100 million investment. More than 120 engines have come off the production line so far and many machines powered by these super-efficient engines are currently undergoing evaluation.  

FSC has new eTraining on the Continuous Improvement Procedure (CIP) (FSC-PRO-30-011 V1-1), a stepwise approach that enables Small or Low-Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMF) and community forests to progressively achieve FSC certification. This tool provides flexibility and reduces barriers, helping smallholders and communities engage with FSC standards over time. Source: Timberbiz The CIP eTraining covers essential elements of the procedure, such as core crtieria. It explains how the procedure supports users in achieving core criteria first and then advancing towards full conformity with FSC’s standards within the certification cycle of five years. The interactive format offers practical insights and guidance on structuring an Action Plan, initial self-check requirements, and regular self-monitoring for ongoing improvement. Whether you’re a current FSC certificate holder, a certification body, or a forest manager interested in sustainable practices, this eTraining is designed to support you. Learn how the Continuous Improvement Procedure aligns with the latest requirements and makes certification more accessible for community and family forests, helping them reach their responsible management with confidence and support. The CIP eTraining is currently available in English and will be released in Spanish and French later this year. More information here.

Rural-focused Finnish newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus (MT) writes that Donald Trump’s re-election raises questions for Finland’s forestry industry, particularly regarding his proposals to boost American manufacturing and impose broad import tariffs. Source: YLe Trump’s campaign included a general 10% tariff on imports, with a specific 60% levy targeting Chinese goods. Finland’s major forestry players – UPM, Stora Enso, and Metsä Group’s Metsä Board – remain cautious, with all three declining to speculate on potential impacts. Timo Tolonen of the lobby group Finnish Forest Industries emphasised that any significant change would happen over time, with Trump’s term starting in January and policy shifts possibly taking even longer. “It’s too early to judge at this stage. As an industry, we support free trade and measures that do not lead to protectionism, ensuring a level playing field for industry,” Tolonen told MT. Currently, Finland exports forestry products worth one billion euros annually to the US, accounting for more than 8% of the country’s total forestry exports. For Metsä Board, which exports primarily from Finland and Sweden without local US production, new tariffs could pose challenges. UPM, on the other hand, operates production sites in the US, potentially giving it an advantage if Trump’s policies favour domestic manufacturers. Increased tariffs may reduce demand for Finnish imports, forcing companies to seek new markets and offer discounts, especially in competitive sectors like cardboard. Meanwhile, the US dollar’s value has bolstered in the wake of Trump’s victory. This could help offset some impacts by making Finnish exports cheaper for American buyers, though how long this exchange rate will hold remains uncertain.

The State Government’s WA Tree Recovery program was announced in August 2024. The program was established to replant thousands of trees affected by polyphagous shot-hole borer across Perth. Source: Timberbiz The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) is working closely with local governments and the State Government to replant thousands of trees affected by polyphagous shot-hole borer. Shot-hole borer burrows deep in trees, causing dieback and tree death. There is no known chemical treatment anywhere in the world that can kill shot-hole borer once established; tree removal and pruning is the only option to reduce the spread. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is leading the unprecedented emergency biosecurity response to manage shot-hole borer, with the pest likely to have significant impact on WA’s urban canopy if it becomes established. Funding of $7.2 million over four years will be available to local government and State Government-owned lands, as well as to residential landowners, to replant trees that have been removed. The department is managing the delivery of the WA Tree Recovery program.

FWPA’s ForestLearning team’s Years 5-6 cross-curricular resource, Sustainable Schools: Going Green in Your Canteen, has been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Primary School Geography Resource F-6 category at the Australian Geography Teachers’ Association Awards, presented at the AGTA24 Conference in Darwin. Source: Timberbiz ForestLearning, an initiative of Forest & Wood Products Australia, equips primary and secondary school teachers with free, Australian Curriculum-aligned resources, including hands-on activities and tools, lesson plans, multimedia and more. These resources engage students in understanding the science, sustainable practices, and environmental contributions of Australia’s forest and wood products industry. Through tools like ForestVR, ForestLearning builds awareness and appreciation of the industries role in a sustainable future, fostering informed perspectives in the next generation. Held biennially, the AGTA Awards celebrate high-quality resources that advance geography education in Australian schools, acknowledging contributions that are practical, relevant, and engaging for teachers and students nationwide. Developed with the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria (GTAV) and the Design and Technologies Teachers Association Victoria (DATTAVic), Sustainable Schools introduces students to renewable resources and sustainable practices through hands-on projects, like designing a reusable cutlery pouch from rayon, a fabric derived from wood fibre. Through these activities, students learn how wood-based materials can replace single-use plastics, fostering a positive view of sustainable materials from the forest and wood products sector as climate solutions. “It’s an honour to receive national recognition from AGTA, as it validates our resources in classrooms across Australia,” the Program Manager at ForestLearning Beth Welden said. “Teachers are often selective with materials, so this award helps build trust in ForestLearning resources, encouraging their uptake in schools. When students engage in learning about renewable resources and sustainable practices, they gain a deeper understanding of how the forest and wood products sector contributes to a sustainable future.” This national endorsement benefits the forest and wood products sector by strengthening social license and public awareness of its role as a renewable industry. Through evidence-based, unbiased resources like Sustainable Schools, ForestLearning helps shape positive perceptions by deepening a balanced understanding of the sector’s contributions to sustainability. These resources adhere to best-practice pedagogy, ensuring they are engaging, active learning tools for students and teachers alike. By presenting the facts and science behind sustainable forest practices, ForestLearning supports both educational and industry goals.