Report of the Seminar

Abstract

The seminar agreed that there was considerable potential for expansion in the use of finger-jointed sawnwood in all countries. To realize this potential, good marketing, aimed at gaining acceptance for a product, the characteristics of which were unfamiliar to many users, was essential. One necessary element of such a marketing strategy would be the clear and open presentation to buyers of finger-jointed timber’s properties and of the quality control procedures used to ensure that these properties were consistently maintained. Technically sound and widely recognized standards for finger-jointed sawnwood should also play an important role in gaining acceptance for the product. Finger-jointing also made it possible to offer the sawnwood buyer at a reasonable price exactly the lengths he required, thus avoiding wastage, notably on the construction site, as well as long lengths which were difficult or expensive to supply in unjointed timber.