The overall aim of Working Woodlands was to continue to develop a more secure and profitable future for the local timber and wood products sector. Historically, the links in the supply chain from woodland to end product in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset have been weak. As a result much of the region’s timber resource has become neglected, offering poor value to the local economy. Working Woodlands began to address this problem by investing strategically throughout the supply chain and providing marketing support for the Sector. The early demand for these services far outstripped Working Woodlands’ ability to supply them. In addition, new demands for support were created by the identification of new opportunities in the market place.

In response to these demands, the Board of Working Woodlands developed a new Programme of support for the industry. The new Programme was designed to offer solutions to three fundamental problems that the businesses and markets that form the Sector face:

• complete knowledge of the timber resources that are available. The new Programme collated information on the potential of the local woodland resources, supply options and market opportunities, making the findings available to all local businesses.
• Years of decline as a consequence of the progressive loss of market share to imports and materials substitution and serious under investment by the Sector. The new Programme extended the offer of grant aid for developments throughout the entire supply chain.
• Lack of sufficient emphasis on marketing. The new Programme offered a wider range of marketing support services.

This successful capital grant scheme has now come to an end.