Transport and Timber Handling Survey
Page 32
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MORE than 90 per cent of all timber imports to this country are distributed by road. In terms of tonnage (4 to 5 m. tons), bulk, and handling difficulty at ports and in transit, timber handling research is overdue. Accordingly, transport operators will welcome the news of a new research project under the auspices of the Timber Research and Development Association.
A steering committee has been set up by TRADA to offer guidance and advice on timber handling, with special reference to unit loads. The use of packaged timber has increased from 1 per cent of all imported in 1962 to 4 per cent today. In the next 10 years this figure is likely to grow, and TRADA's representative panel intend to foster its use to the greatest possible extent.
Those who have contributed financially to the project include the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association, the Dock and Harbour Authorities' Association, the Chamber of Shipping of the UK and the British Transport Docks Board. Specially appointed representatives of the Forest Products Research Association, the National Ports Council and the TUC will also serve on the panel, which will be assisted by Urwick Orr and Partners, management consultants. The research is likely to continue fOr 21 years.
Introducing the project at a Press conference last week. Dr. 0. P. Hansen said the conception went back to 1962. Lord Rochdale's ports reorganization report had stressed the need for timber handling
research, and _TRADA, realizing they could not do what was called for alone. sought the collaboration of timber users and transport operators.
It was their intention to recruit a small staff to further research already done and their expertize would be available to anyone concerned. The research would be "in depth" and would concern itself with the movement and processing of timber from forest to users. All aspects of the inland transport of timber in Great Britain would be closely investigated.