The North East Scotland Forest Industries Group (NEFIG) developed indirectly from the ‘devolution’ effect on Scottish forestry with the emergence in 2000 of both the Scottish Forestry Strategy and the Scottish Forest Industries Cluster.

In 2000 interested parties were invited to a meeting to discuss organising a dedicated North East Scotland forestry show and, although such a show did not emerge, a core partnership was retained to discuss and organise an alternative option i.e. a greater forestry presence at the largest agricultural event in the North East’s summer calendar, the Turriff Show.

The initial partnership had a wide ranging representation including sawmillers, processors, forest management companies and public bodies.  Scottish Enterprise Grampian was particularly interested in this local partnership and with the emerging national Scottish Forest Industries Cluster, a local ‘cluster’ group was to be encouraged.  Therefore, in February 2001 with Scottish Enterprise Grampian backing, the group formally became the North East Forest Industries Group, with a cross-section of 15 industry representatives invited onto the steering group. 

Key factors behind the development of the group derived from:

• the problem of the industry being fragmented;
• without partnerships it was recognised that less could be achieved; and
• there was a strong opportunity for the group to deliver meaningful activity.

With reference to a report published by Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Review of the Forest & Forest Related Industries in the Grampian Area, subsequent steering group meetings in 2001 and 2002 developed a NEFIG strategy, which was encapsulated in a NEFIG discussion document, produced in October 2002. The document highlighted twelve aims and objectives, including: the market; added value; woodfuel; and raising the public profile of the industry.

Since October 2002 the group has addressed the issues of added value and the market through visits to International Paper and Stewart Milne Timber Systems; both visits produced a networking environment and future visits and guest speakers will continue to be organised – see forthcoming events below for details.

An inaugural meeting in Aberdeen formally linking up with the national Cluster was held in March 2004 at which Leadership Group chairman, Stefan Kay OBE, welcomed the NEFIG group as the regional cluster for the North East of Scotland.  Closer ties and support now provide excellent two-way feedback between the national Cluster and the North-east Scotland Forest Industries Cluster.

Forthcoming events:
For information about other forest industries-related events, see Forthcoming Events.

Previous events:
12 March 2008 - The Opportunities for Woodland Creation in Grampian
Presentations (please save to desktop before opening if necessary):
Current policy drivers - Dr Bob McIntosh
Recent expansion in Grampian - John Risby
Economic drivers in agriculture - Peter Cook
Role & potential of native woodlands - Carol Robertson
Viewpoint of private sector - Will Anderson

Contact details:
Please contact Cluster Co-ordinator for details, or

Mr Derek McDonald (chairman)
Christie Elite Nurseries Ltd
Tillycorthie
Udny
Aberdeenshire  AB41 6SD

T:  01651 842839
F:  01651 842774
E:  derek@christie-elite.co.uk