Industry News
News
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Finally, We May Have the Tool Government Has Been Waiting For
29th July 2026
FTMA Australia is incredibly proud that our National Research & Technical Manager, Rhianna Robinson, will lead the newly funded Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) research project, Timber-led Decarbonisation of Australian Housing, in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast's... ... more
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14 Weeks. 14 Reasons. 1 Powerful Story to Put Timber Back in the Conversation
29th July 2026
We all love timber right? We all know timber is the best! But do we know why? And how confident are we in advocating for timber? From Monday 3 August, FTMA Australia will be co-launching a new industry-wide campaign celebrating one of Australia's greatest renewable resources. ... more
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Safety Matters - # 11 - Drug and Alcohol Use in Australian Manufacturing: A Timber Frame and Truss Industry Perspective
28th July 2026
Australian manufacturing has never been risk-free, but the timber frame and truss sector carries a particular combination of hazards that makes drug and alcohol use a serious workplace safety issue rather than an abstract policy concern. Between docking saws, automated nail plate presses, truss jigs... ... more
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Building More Homes Starts with Building More Manufacturing Capacity
28th July 2026
Australia's housing challenge is often measured by the number of homes that need to be built. Less attention is given to an equally important question: does the manufacturing sector have the capacity to produce the components those homes require? ... more
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RAT Chat # 6 - Receiving H2 Framing Timber: What Every Manufacturer Should Know
28th July 2026
Preservative treated timber underpins the majority of the timber industry and a credible and reliable treatment industry ensures continued market access, performance and confidence in timber building products. For most frame and truss manufacturers, treated framing timber arrives every week. It is u... ... more
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Getting SDA Ceiling Hoist Provision Right, Because Lives Depend on It
28th July 2026
The Frame & Truss industry has long delivered versatile and innovative solutions to support the changing needs of Australian housing. As SDA developments continue to grow, so too does the responsibility to ensure that the roof trusses intended to support ceiling hoists are correctly designed, identi... ... more
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Help Your Team Grow Their Super Without Spending a Cent
28th July 2026
There are a few ways your employees can grow their super that many people don’t know about. None of them cost your business anything, and they can make a real difference down the track. Here are the three main ones. ... more
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Modern Methods of Construction - The Next Chapter for Our Industry - Are We Ready to Own It?
28th July 2026
Modern Methods of Construction, or MMC, has become one of the biggest talking points in Australian housing. Governments throughout the country are investing millions upon millions of dollars into finding new ways to build homes faster, improve productivity and address the housing shortage. ... more
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People Matters – with HRCentral
27th July 2026
Managing Psychosocial Hazards – New Legal Obligations for NSW businesses ... more
- Latest Timber Market Survey Edition Released 27th July 2026 Find out the latest data for the March quarter 2026. ... more
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Monthly Credit Risk Insights by Alares
27th July 2026
As we enter into the new financial year, we take stock of the current trends that have presented so far in 2026.
Find out what the key highlights were for June.
... more
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FTMA Member Benefit - Advertise Your Machinery for Free
27th July 2026
One of the many practical benefits of FTMA membership is access to our Machinery for Sale service – a dedicated platform exclusively for FTMA timber frame and truss manufacturing members to advertise surplus or used machinery at no cost. ... more
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Tech Talk - Ed. 84
25th June 2026
Modern Australian homes increasingly feature open-plan layouts, large garage openings, expansive glazing and narrow wall returns. While these architectural trends are popular, they can make it more challenging to achieve adequate wall bracing. ... more
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ACT Government Delegates Gain First-Hand Insight into Timber Prefabrication and Housing Solutions
25th June 2026
FTMA was pleased to welcome delegates from across the ACT Government, including representatives from the Suburban Land Agency, housing, infrastructure, building surveying, sustainability and policy teams, for a tour of several leading frame and truss manufacturing facilities. ... more
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Logging Off After 35 Years: Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Bernard Kennelly
25th June 2026
It's not every day a company has the privilege of celebrating an employee whose
dedication spans more than three decades. After 35 years with Pryda ANZ, Bernard
Kennelly has officially logged off for the last time and is setting sail into a well-earned
retirement. ... more
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Built Offsite welcomes FTMA as an Industry Alliance partner
25th June 2026
Why timber frame and truss manufacturers are central to offsite construction. ... more
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Claymark Australia Expands with Acquisition of Tilling SmartFrame
25th June 2026
Claymark Australia is proud to announce that on the 31 July 2026, we will complete the acquisition of the Tilling Group, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering premium building products and expanding our national distribution network. ... more
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NEXCORE: the Next-generation Floor Panel, Engineered to Fit, Work and Arrive as One
25th June 2026
When you're supplying the whole floor, every part of it has to fit, work and arrive together. That's where the latest addition to the Meyer Timber floor system comes in. ... more
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People Matters - with HR Central
25th June 2026
The new FY is approaching – what you need to know ... more
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Forest Can be Felt Everywhere in Stora Enso’s Head Office
24th June 2026
Stora Enso’s new head office, Katajanokan Laituri, is a strong example of modern sustainable forestry in practice. The building shows what can be achieved with wood and sustainable forest management. It brings together urban working life, nature, and well-being in one place. Built from respons... ... more
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Why Structural Timber Still Matters and Why It Matters Now
24th June 2026
In today’s frame and truss market, the pressure is real for timber manufacturers. Steel arrives pre-fabricated. Imported LVL competes aggressively on price and consistency. And for many, the decision has become brutally simple: why pay more now when a cheaper substitute appears to do the job? ... more
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Improving Efficient Handling From Yard To Dispatch - with Combilift
24th June 2026
Despite ongoing challenges across the broader construction sector, timber construction in Australia continues to gain momentum, particularly in renovation, prefabrication, and modular building. ... more
- RAT Chat - June #5 Industry and Research Unite to Advance Timber Prefabrication 24th June 2026 Swinburne University of Technology, in collaboration with MiTek, Multinail, Pryda and the Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA Australia), has commenced a new research project focused on automated design for prefabrication in timber construction, supported by the Australian G... ... more
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What does your Customer Journey Look like?
24th June 2026
The customer journey begins with the very first interaction you have with your current or prospective customer. This could be as simple as answering the phone, engaging in a conversation, them reading your website, or seeing an advert on Instagram. Every touchpoint a customer has with your business ... ... more
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The Future Framing Initiative: Building a Simpler Path for Timber Construction
24th June 2026
How can timber construction be made easier to design, specify and approve across a broader range of buildings? That's the question explored in a recent WoodChat podcast featuring Future Framing Initiative (FFI) Chair Ian Tyson and Timber Development Association’s Kylan Low, discussing how a ne... ... more
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Monthly Risk Credit Insights by Alares
24th June 2026
Peak insolvency appears to be behind us, but numbers remain well above historical levels. For now, this seems to be the new business as usual. ... more
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Struggling to Find Factory Staff? Learn How the PALM Scheme Can Help
24th June 2026
Finding reliable factory workers continues to be a huge challenge for frame and truss manufacturers across Australia. That's why FTMA is pleased to be hosting a special webinar with the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme to help members understand an alternative workforce solution that ... ... more
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Protecting Your Business and Workforce: Why Drug and Alcohol Testing Matters
24th June 2026
Creating a safe workplace is one of the most important responsibilities of any employer. With increasing obligations around workplace health and safety, having the right policies, procedures and testing programs in place can help protect your people, your business and your reputation. ... more
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Tech Talk - Ed. 83
28th May 2026
The construction industry relies heavily on forms, certificates, and compliance documentation. Unfortunately, similar approvals often have different names and systems across Australia. This article provides a practical overview of the most common certifications encountered across the four eastern st... ... more
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FTMA 2026 National Conference & Trade Expo a Record-Breaking Success
28th May 2026
The FTMA 2026 National Conference & Trade Expo has officially become the biggest and most successful event in FTMA history, attracting 264 delegates and 43 exhibitors from across the country. The event delivered an outstanding mix of industry insight, networking, education and entertainment, highlig... ... more
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Gary Walker Honoured with 2026 Clive Martella Service to Industry Award
28th May 2026
Gary Walker of Belmont Timber (NSW) has been recognised with the 2026 Clive Martella Service to Industry Award, acknowledging more than five decades of contribution, leadership and service to the Australian timber and frame and truss industry. ... more
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Peter Taylor Named Inaugural Recipient of FTMA Industry Icon Award
28th May 2026
FTMA Australia proudly introduced the inaugural FTMA Industry Icon Award at the 2026 Industry Awards, recognising an individual whose contribution to the Australian frame and truss industry has helped shape the sector for generations. ... more
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Versace Timbers Recognised with FTMA 2026 Community Award
28th May 2026
Versace Timbers has been honoured with the 2026 FTMA Community Award, recognising the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting the community and making a meaningful impact beyond business. ... more
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AAA Advanced Trusses Wins 2026 FTMA Jackson Kidd Wellbeing Award
28th May 2026
AAA Advanced Trusses has once again been recognised for its outstanding commitment to employee wellbeing, taking home the 2026 FTMA Jackson Kidd Wellbeing Award for the second time in a row. ... more
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Supporting the Industry When Conditions Shift
28th May 2026
For frame and truss manufacturers, keeping product moving requires more flexibility and certainty than ever before. Tight construction timelines, changing demand, and ongoing supply pressures place constant strain across the industry. ... more
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FTMA Launches New Online Training for Timber Systems Design
27th May 2026
The Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA), with funding support from the Australian Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program (FWTP), is proud to announce the launch of a new online training pathway: Introduction to Timber Systems Design. ... more
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Cadwork – Digital Solutions for Panelized and Modular Timber Construction
27th May 2026
cadwork is a leading 3D CAD/CAM and BIM software solution specifically developed for timber construction. Originating in Switzerland, the software has evolved over several decades into a comprehensive platform that supports the entire building process—from design and engineering through to fab... ... more
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Building Better Businesses: FTMA Introduces New Pilot Webinar Series
27th May 2026
FTMA Australia is launching an exciting new initiative in the second half of this year, with the introduction of three Pilot Webinar Series designed specifically for the Frame & Truss industry. These exclusive programs have been developed to give business owners, managers and leadership teams practi... ... more
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Energy Market Update- May 2026
27th May 2026
Following some of our conversations at the conference, we have already helped a FTMA member save over $13,000 per year on their energy rates.
Can we help your business save too? Find out more with Supporting Partner, Choice Energy. ... more
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RAT Chat - May 2026 # 4 - Future Framing Initiative Takes Centre Stage at FTMA Conference
27th May 2026
This year FTMA welcomed researchers, students, and academics to the conference as an ongoing commitment to encourage linkages between industry and academia and to encourage capacity building for the next generation of the timber industry. ... more
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Building Confidence Through Innovation: WEINIG, Essetre and the Future of Timber Manufacturing
27th May 2026
The timber manufacturing industry across Australia and New Zealand continues to evolve rapidly. Rising production costs, skilled labour shortages, and uncertainty in construction markets are forcing manufacturers to rethink how they invest, operate, and grow. At WEINIG Australia, we are seeing a cle... ... more
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Do You Actually Know What It Costs to Cut Truss Components?
27th May 2026
Do You Actually Know What It Costs to Cut Truss Components?
That’s where margin is actually lost, and it’s the question Programmed Timber put to the industry at the 2026 FTMA Conference & Trade Expo.
... more
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Payday Super is Coming: Three Checks to Make Now
27th May 2026
With 1 July approaching, now is the time to make sure your business is ready for Payday Super. Under the new rules, employers will need to pay super at the same time as salary and wages, and contributions must be received by an employee’s super fund within 7 business days of payday. This tight... ... more
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More than an Expo – the Partners Powering FTMA 2026
27th May 2026
The 2026 FTMA National Conference & Trade Expo simply would not have been possible without the incredible support of our Partners, Sponsors, and Exhibitors. Across the two-day event, the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre was transformed into a thriving hub of innovation, collaboration, and industry c... ... more
- FTMA Australia Welcomes WA Housing Innovation Fund Investment in Offsite Timber Manufacturing 27th May 2026 The Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA Australia) has welcomed the Cook Government’s $49 million Housing Innovation Fund, praising the strong recognition of offsite prefabrication and timber manufacturing as critical solutions to Western Australia’s housing and ... ... more
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People Matters - Playing your cards right – what you need to know when your employees are doing dangerous work!
27th May 2026
Work health and safety (WHS) laws in Australia impose strict requirements on certain types of hazardous work. Central to this framework is the high-risk work licence system, which ensures that only appropriately trained and competent individuals perform particularly dangerous tasks. ... more
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Future Framing, Builder Advocacy and FTMA’s Collective Carbon Impact
27th May 2026
The WoodSolutions Renewable Timber Framing Campaign has built valuable momentum across Australia over the past 2 years with its free promotional tools, communication resources and customised big builder collaborations helping builders promote the benefits of timber framing at a time when housing sup... ... more
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Safety Matters # 10 How SafetyCulture Can Support Australian Timber Frame and Truss Manufacturing
26th May 2026
The FTMA’s recent safety webinar titled Safety Forms and Documentation included a presentation from SafetyCulture that offer a digital solution to paper based safety compliance process. In this article, we explore the Safety Culture offering and how this can support the digital transition of s... ... more
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Monthly Risk Credit Insights by Alares
26th May 2026
Have we finally reached peak insolvency? Numbers remain historically high, but continue to trend lower than 2025. Is this the new business as usual or a temporary blip? Stay tuned to find out. ... more
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Tech Talk - Ed. 82
30th April 2026
There have been multiple articles, newsletters, presentations and alerts over the years regarding LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) and EWP’s (Engineered Wood Products), including more recent FTMA Tech Talk articles this year such as “Nailplate – Determination of characteristic load ca... ... more
