Timber Construction makes a Valuable Contribution to Sustainable Industry in the Alpine Space

The Vorarlberg Woodworkers Quality Association, an association of wood processing companies, suppliers and architects, are partners in a NENA network.  Within the framework of a running INTERREG project, they have implemented a location provision. 

The analysis of the expert interviews showed that woodworking in Vorarlberg has almost doubled since the year 2000.  The 84 plants that are currently members of the association were therefore able to pull off a strong increase, which also had an effect on the region and employment.  At the same time the export rate is only 13%.  This implies that woodworking in general and with it the use of local raw materials has greatly increased. 

What kind of changes in thinking made this type of transformation possible?  Or what were the measures that lead to the change?  In the meantime the Vorarlberg Woodworkers have secured a good international reputation. The fast growth doesn’t make it any less necessary to analyse the situation and make a location provision as well as a prognosis for the future.  The study makes the openings and chances transparent.  The NENA study was handed over to the board at the last plenary meeting. 

84 companies are united in the Vorarlberg Woodworking Quality Association.  The just finished NENA study was officially handed over at the last plenary meeting.  The managing director, Dr. Matthias Ammann presented a summary of the contents and core statements.  About 60 experts and companies that were directly involved in the areas of project initiators, planners, suppliers and executing companies were asked questions for the study.  The basis of the study was a detailed questionnaire.  The following is a excerpt of the results:

The companies have a strong sense of regional identity.  54% of the work is done within the location district (surrounding communities), another 33% are spread out within the state and right now only a mere 13% is the percentage of export in the direction of South Tyrol, Switzerland, and southern Germany.  Most of the jobs are in the area of single family dwellings.  60% are private clients, 27% commercial and only 13% public.  The public sector has recently increased now that kindergartens, schools and community centres are increasingly being built from the regional resource, wood.  This segment is expandable. 

The experts believe that there is a turnover increase potential of about 5% to 8% per annum.  The increased use of ecological construction materials, the Passive House, the multi-storeyed construction and restoration work as well as the large potential for export support the increase prognoses.  The qualitative development of buildings made from wood is the deciding factor. 

Right now these 84 companies are training 140 apprentices.  The number of employees is 1,200 and can be increased.  The timber construction companies will be investing a lot of money in training during the next few years – about €1,900,000.-  They will also be investing about €5,500,000 in machines and vehicles.  The challenge will be to increase quality while keeping price increases of purchased material under control, and/or to compensate.  A big demand is expected from the area of ecological family dwellings, Passive House.
Why has there been such an extraordinary positive development within the Vorarlberg Wood Working industry?  First of all there is the development of their image:  Working closely together with the architects, modern timber construction was demonstrated and with it, a modern image was also demonstrated.  Individuality and design have a high qualitative image.  The challenge is to cultivate this partnership and to develop it further. 

The enlivening co-operations between the companies which have developed over the past few years have made a big contribution to this success.  The association is bound and determined to increase the co-operation and joint work on a regional level.  With their participation in the NENA project, they would like to take tentative steps in the direction of trans-national networking.  The board has declared its willingness to work more with similar facilities over the borders and to support the NENA network during its development and to participate actively.