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News:
After consultation with members the Executive accepted an offer from the Wood Processors Association of New Zealand (WPA) to merge the activities of the two organisations which would enable FTMA to continue operation.
The merged FTMA and WPA will see the administrative and governance functions of FTMA centered out of the WPA offices in Wellington. WPA staff will provide administrative and communication functions for FTMA members as well as including the needs and requirements of fabricators in the lobbying and advocacy activity currently undertaken by WPA. WPA is a member based organisation representing the interests of saw millers, engineered wood products producers and the pulp and paper sectors. Its members represent 80% of the processed wood production in New Zealand. WPA undertakes lobbying and advocacy on behalf of its members and to fulfill that role communicates regularly with its members through a monthly newsletter and two annual conferences one a Technical focused conference and the second a more strategic or politically focused conference.
Depending on the particular issue WPA is dealing with, special interest groups are formed to focus on specific issues. For example the producers of engineered wood products, particularly panels and LVL, formed a small sub group to discuss workplace exposures to wood dust as a result of changes to the exposure levels proposed by the Department of Labour. WPA members who use large amounts of electricity have formed a small group to ensure their members views are lobbied actively with the current focus on electricity reform initiated by the Minister of Energy.
Specific Details of the FTMA/WPA Merger
- The agreement to merge FTMA with WPA would allow FTMA to keep its identity along with a governance structure such as that which is currently undertaken through the Executive Committee
- A merging of the operational activities will afford FTMA a significant savings in office accommodation, administration and communication costs
- A seat for an FTMA director on the WPA board
- An invitation for all FTMA members to attend WPA conferences and over time the focus of the conference to include FTMA issues
- The establishment of a regional network of FTMA members and the undertaking of regional meetings as required
- The ability for FTMA specific issues to be raised and lobbied by WPA staff
Code of Practice (COP)
Fabricator members received a discussion document in August and December 2009 regarding the proposed Code of Practice for fabrication activities. The intent of this document was to gain member feedback in two areas. Firstly, whether members wished to have a mandatory Code of Practice for fabrication or whether this should be voluntary. This was a critical decision as to whether the FTMA includes a requirement to undertake a degree of audit against a code of operating practice or whether this should be an additional activity undertaken by some members. The paper discussed the possibility for self-auditing in the first instance with a possible requirement for third party auditing sometime in the future.
Aspects of the Code of Practice focus on the manufacturing accuracy, health and safety requirements as well as branding and labelling opportunities.
If you have any queries regarding the document please contact Peter Bodeker peter@wpa.org.nz or Ian McGregor ianmac@itm.co.nz.
Current Issues
WPA is currently working on a range of issues that impact on members' businesses and the wider industry as a whole. Please click the link below to view the current issues WPA is working on.
Wood versus Steel
Wood versus steel - which framing option is better?
In recent years some suppliers have begun aggressively promoting light steel framing as an alternative to wood for both residential and commercial buildings.
As in any battle, the truth is often the first casualty.
To get the facts from the wood perspective, please follow the links below to visit the NZ Wood website.
Which material performs best? Get the facts...
• Which is better for the environment?
• Which performs best in a fire?