The Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC)  has agreed to sponsor the 'Turning to Timber' award, a new category for 2009 at this year's Builder & Engineer Awards 09.

The 'Turning to Timber' category is looking to recognise some of the most iconic timber structures built in the UK today. Those who are nominated in the category must demonstrate the way forward in timber design, versatility, strength and aesthetics.

PEFC will be represented at the awards by its chairman Peter Latham. Peter is Chairman of James Latham plc, one of Britain's oldest timber companies. Since the first James Latham began importing hardwoods into Liverpool in 1757, the company has developed into a leading importer and distributor of panel products, joinery quality softwood and hardwood and hardwood flooring. The company operates from nine sites in England and recently opened its first distribution centre in Scotland. Peter, is a former Chairman of the Forests Forever Committee of the Timber Trades Federation, and is a member of the Council of the Commonwealth Forestry Association.

The awards is the brainchild of Builder & Engineer and Construction Scotland, a leading industry B2B title published by Excel Publishing Company Ltd, the largest independent publishing company in the North of England, specialising in business to business publications regionally, nationally and internationally. Established in Manchester in 1991, Excel is committed to achieving considerable growth. The company now has three offices in the North of England, employing over 120 people, with a turnover of just over £7 million.

In November this year PEFC will be celebrating its 10th Birthday in Paris. Since its inception in 1999, membership has grown from the original eleven founding European countries to become a truly global scheme encompassing thirty four countries on six continents; with the Netherlands and Ireland joining the PEFC family in 2008, followed most recently by Malaysia and Gabon.  

As a result, PEFC now endorses twenty eight national certification schemes across the globe. The 220 million certified hectares managed by these member schemes are now delivering millions of tonnes of certified material into the global marketplace to meet the ever increasing demand for certified wood products.

The 2009 Builder & Engineer awards will be held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester on 7 October, 2009.