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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Fencers warn of timber shortages | Fencers warn of timber shortages |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The UK is experiencing a shortage of garden fence panels just as the busy spring season gets under way, a trade organisation has said. | The UK is experiencing a shortage of garden fence panels just as the busy spring season gets under way, a trade organisation has said. |
| Fencing firms and DIY enthusiasts are said to be finding it hard to obtain stocks due to "unprecedented demand". | Fencing firms and DIY enthusiasts are said to be finding it hard to obtain stocks due to "unprecedented demand". |
| The situation was exacerbated by a rush on supplies after storms in January. | The situation was exacerbated by a rush on supplies after storms in January. |
| The Fencing Contractors Association said European timber producers had also been exporting more to China and Dubai which have seen construction booms. | The Fencing Contractors Association said European timber producers had also been exporting more to China and Dubai which have seen construction booms. |
| "Several small to medium sized companies across the UK are unable to meet orders and are on the verge of ruin," said Wendy Baker, FCA chief executive. | |
| "I have had complaints from both mills who can't source timber and from contractors who can't get hold of timber materials." | "I have had complaints from both mills who can't source timber and from contractors who can't get hold of timber materials." |
| New stocks | New stocks |
| Steve Powney, news editor of the industry publication Timber Trades Journal, said supplies could still be obtained but firms needed to be prepared to wait longer than usual for shipments. | Steve Powney, news editor of the industry publication Timber Trades Journal, said supplies could still be obtained but firms needed to be prepared to wait longer than usual for shipments. |
| "Lead times are being affected but I would not describe this as a crisis," he said. | "Lead times are being affected but I would not describe this as a crisis," he said. |
| "The overarching issue here has been the shortage of softwood in Europe caused by storms earlier this year and the big demand for timber worldwide." | "The overarching issue here has been the shortage of softwood in Europe caused by storms earlier this year and the big demand for timber worldwide." |
| He said Canada's decision to re-enter the timber supply market should help ease some of the problems. | He said Canada's decision to re-enter the timber supply market should help ease some of the problems. |
| John White, chief executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said there had been "unprecedented demand". | John White, chief executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said there had been "unprecedented demand". |
| "Prices have also been rising because supplies have been shipped to parts of the world prepared to pay more," he added. | "Prices have also been rising because supplies have been shipped to parts of the world prepared to pay more," he added. |
| Retailers said fencing panel stocks were expected to be replenished in the coming weeks. | Retailers said fencing panel stocks were expected to be replenished in the coming weeks. |
| Home improvement chain B&Q said there had been an industry-wide "short-term shortage of timber for this type of fencing" and a rise in customer demand after the storms. | |
| A spokesman for industry supplier Travis Perkins said demand for panels was up 300% on last year. | A spokesman for industry supplier Travis Perkins said demand for panels was up 300% on last year. |