Travis Perkins is committed to securing a resilient, sustainable timber supply for the construction sector. Central to this approach has been a strong emphasis on PEFC certification, supported by a robust accredited chain of custody system, supplier engagement and customer education. The PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC) system underpins Travis Perkins’ responsible sourcing programme and since 2021, the majority (62%) of its timber purchases have been PEFC-certified. This reflects market availability of PEFC products and the also the need to support a sustainable, scalable supply of certified timber for the construction and merchant sectors.
Assurances and confidence
“Maintaining PEFC Chain of Custody is so important to support the timber supply chain,” says John Kirkby, Executive Director of PEFC UK. “It is essential for ensuring products come from legal, sustainable and responsibly managed forests and provides full traceability from forest to end user. It gives confidence that certified material is correctly identified, segregated and controlled throughout the supply chain. By reducing the risk of illegal or unsustainable timber entering the market, PEFC Chain of Custody supports regulatory compliance, strengthens supply chain resilience and helps businesses meet growing customer and sustainability expectations.”
For Travis Perkins, regular internal audits, alongside annual external audits, ensure clear identification, segregation and traceability of certified products. “This process is managed by a dedicated three-person CoC team reporting directly into the Responsible Sourcing department,” says Barry Pollock, Timber Chain of Custody Manager at Travis Perkins. “This team manages an extensive network of timber suppliers and branches that we have on our certificates.”
Beyond sourcing, Travis Perkins actively promotes the benefits of certified timber and has a detailed strategy with many customer-facing initiatives, explaining the benefits and importance of purchasing certified material both across the construction industry and aimed at wider timber users and purchasers.
“A cornerstone of our strategy is the provision of accessible online resources, including a dedicated ‘Responsible Sourcing’ page on our website, which outlines our commitment to legal and sustainable timber,” adds Barry. “We also integrate certification details directly into product descriptions and where applicable, specify if a product is certified, allowing customers to identify and choose certified options at the point of purchase.” Travis Perkins invests heavily in training its staff on sustainability and the importance of certified materials, enabling in-branch and customer service teams to provide knowledgeable advice on the environmental and ‘qualitative’ benefits of choosing certified products.
Customer trends and expanding PEFC products
Market trends continue to evolve, driven by sustainability goals and carbon reduction targets alongside the growing emphasis on procurement, transparency and traceability. Travis Perkins remains focused on expanding its PEFC-certified offering over the next few years. “Expanding PEFC certification simplifies stock management at branches and reduces the risk of product segregation issues, making it easier for branches to control product claims,” says Barry. “Operationally, it facilitates smoother inter-branch stock transfers, cuts down on manual reporting for audit teams, and reduces time spent on detailed invoice checking for certification, ultimately lowering the risk of non-conformities and non-conforming products.”
Customer demand for PEFC-certified timber continues to grow, driven by regulatory requirements and demanding ESG reporting and corporate sustainability targets. By strengthening its PEFC-certified offering and working closely with partners such as PEFC UK, Travis Perkins continues to demonstrate leadership in responsible timber sourcing and its commitment to supporting a sustainable construction industry.
More at:
www.pefc.co.uk/certification/chain-of-custody-certification/
www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk/sustainability
