About WKW

Wales has over 1700 wood related companies employing in the region of 16,500 people in diverse businesses from woodland management and harvesting to bespoke joinery and construction.

In 2004 the industry was mapped and benchmarked on behalf of the Forestry Commission Wales and the WDA (now incorporated within the Welsh Assembly Goverment), and the true extent of the industry was realised. As a result of this research the Wales Forest Business Partnership (WFPB) was established. This is a public/private partnership dedicated to encouraging the growth of the wood industry in Wales. 

Three activity areas were developed within the WFBP, Woodsource Wales (for developing market strategies), Woodfuel Wales (for all aspects of timber energy) and Wood Knowledge Wales

The aim of Wood Knowledge Wales is to lead innovation, research and development across Wales, by:

• Acting as an information source for Welsh wood-using businesses and to assist in the transfer of knowledge into those businesses especially from pan-European projects and research organisations.
• Assisting in the development of new products and processes which will make the industry in Wales more competitive and where appropriate, initiate prototype testing and proof of concept.
• Promoting research and development within wood through business initiatives either individually or jointly.