| Welcome to the re-named Mid Scotland Forest Industries Cluster (MSFIC) web page!
In June 2009 the Mid Scotland Regional Cluster was re-established through the formation and meeting of the first regional steering group. The MSFIC Steering Group members are as follows:
Raymond Henderson (Chair) Bidwells
Ralland Browne Scottish Woodlands
Jamie Farquhar ConFor
Simon Hart UPM Tilhill
Syd House Forestry Commission Scotland
Campbell Melee Scottish Enterprise
Bill Watson Angus Biofuels
Margaret Watson Scottish Enterprise
George Webb Norbord
Fenning Welstead John Clegg and Co.
Keith Wishart Forestry Commission Scotland
On 16th September 2009 the Mid Scotland Cluster held its first public open meeting in Balloch, with over 70 attendees from a diverse cross sector of the Forest Industries. The topic was:
Is It All Going Up In Smoke? - Current and Future Timber Supply and Demand in Scotland and the Implications for the Forest Resource Base of the Future – to hear and contribute to a debate about whether timber demand is matched to timber use and if not, what we should do about it.
Based upon the presentations, discussion and questions and the following issues seemed important:
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There is a need to examine wood fibre supply and demand again – many attendees felt there is no accurate information about this particularly in the context of proposed large scale biomass use
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Can the ROC’s system be used to help promote woodland expansion? This tied back to some points about how the Forest Industries could be missing out on large scale financial resources that appear available to energy generators.
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The proposals for large scale biomass electricity schemes are little understood and we need to know more about these proposals and their impact on wood use – there is probably a need to develop better relationships with the energy sector
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Energy and Forestry policy need more effective co-ordination
Please contact Cluster Support Unit for details of forthcoming meetings/activities of the Mid Scotland Regional Cluster. We welcome new members and all positive contributions that will assist in the continued development of Mid Scotland Forest Industries Cluster.
For information about other forest industries-related events, see Forthcoming Events.
Previous meetings/activities - minutes and reports
Steering Group meeting on 9 Setember 2009
details
Meeting on 16 September 2009
National Park Headquarters, Balloch
"Is it all going up in smoke?" - Current and future timber supply and demand in Scotland and the implication for the forest resource base of the future.
Presentations:
- Raymond Henderson, Welcome and introduction, MSFIC Chairman;
- George Webb, Wood Fibre Procurement Manager, Norbord Ltd;
- Philip Blake, Managing Director, Munro Sawmills
- Bill Watson, Angus Biofuels\ Steve Luker, Steve Luker Associates
Please see below for additional meeting materials:
Production and trade figures 2008
Forestry statistics 2008
Notes on wood energy use in Scotland
Wood energy figures 2008
Meeting on 26 September 2007, Dunblane.
'Current Opportunities for new Woodland Creation in Mid Scotland'
- note of meeting (please save before opening documents, if necessary);
- presentations:
- Current policy drivers - Bob McIntosh
- Update P&A Conservancy area - Syd House
- Economic drivers - Guy Watt
- Role of and potential for native woodlands - Rick Worrell
- View of private forestry sector - Raymond Henderson
- View of local planning authority - Graham Esson
- Proposed initiative to improve public impression of forestry - Jim Christie
9 March 2007 - Presentations (programme):
- Wood fuel supply - stump to radiator - Daniel Gates;
- The case for wood energy in Scotland - Steve Luker;
- Adding value locally - the challenges and business opportunities - Betsy van der Lee;
- Vendor Managed inventory - Peter Kahn.
Meeting on 8 November 2006, Perth
Minutes of meeting of CSFIC of 8 September 2005
Minutes of meeting of CSFIC of 28 February 2005
Cluster networking in action - report 27 January 2005
Minutes of meeting of CSFIC of 5 October 2004
Contact details:
The Mid Scotland Forest Industries Cluster was formally inaugurated in May 2004 and quickly gathered momentum during the following months. Funded by Scottish Enterprise, MSFIC is one of the regional cluster groups which report to the national Scottish Forest Industries Cluster, a partnership between industry representatives and Scottish Enterprise.
MSFIC has therefore been created as a regional platform with the following key objectives:
- to promote industry engagement within Mid Scotland through organised events and activities;
- to develop and implement an action plan on key issues affecting our industry within Mid Scotland;
- to identify and facilitate real business opportunities for participating members through active networking (within and outwith Mid Scotland);
- to strengthen and develop regional cluster linkages;
- to report to the national Scottish Forest Industries Cluster on issues of relevance and importance regionally.
MSFIC has already identified seven key regional issues which are:
1. Timber marketing
2. Co-products
3. Lobbying
4. Cataloguing of good examples of timber buildings
5. Labour/training
6. Supply chain
7. Forging cross-industry links
These issues were identified at the regional meeting held in September 2004 and they are currently being put into action by seven focus groups made up of MSFIC group members.
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