What are the biggest challenges facing sawmills in the UK?

Описание: Forester Asks Questions #20 - Rob MacKenna, General Manager (South Scotland), James Jones & Sons Ltd

In this episode of Forester Asks Questions, I speak with Rob MacKenna, General Manager for South Scotland Operations at James Jones & Sons Limited, the UK’s largest family-owned sawmilling group.

The UK wood processing sector is at a critical moment. Rising costs, global competition, supply chain uncertainty, planning constraints, and investment barriers are all shaping the future of sawmilling and timber manufacturing. At the same time, timber-producing forestry is increasingly recognised for its role in net zero, rural economies, construction, and sustainable land use.

In this conversation, Rob shares insights from the front line of the industry, discussing:
• The biggest challenges facing UK sawmills and wood processors.
• Barriers to investment in processing capacity and infrastructure.
• The relationship between forestry policy and industrial demand.
• How timber availability, species mix, and rotation length affect the sector.
• The future of timber-producing forestry in the UK.
• What he is optimistic/pessimistic about for the future of sawmilling in the UK.

Whether you’re a forester, woodland owner, land manager, policymaker, student, or timber industry professional, this episode explores what must change — and what opportunities lie ahead, for UK forestry and wood processing.

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