Mr. Justin Peckham

This year Woodtech Machinery's Managing Director, Justin Peckham, will be attending, along with Woodtech's engineers and a number of suppliers (see below) who will be exhibiting examples of their machinery.

Justin Peckham Managing Directorjp@woodtech.co.uk

High temperature drying is the main process used for drying radiata pine but, as Woodtech Machinery's managing director Justin Peckham, said: "Windsor's experience suggests that the technology could also be used to dry Sitka spruce - even UK-grown Sitka, which is fast-growing, more 'delicate' and requires careful drying.

As a result of discussions with major producers and their kiln operators, trials are being set up in Italy, using Windsor's high temperature technology to dry UK-grown Sitka and determine the time-savings that can be achieved.UK mills are supplying the wood for the trials, which it is hoped will be overseen by BRE.

"We await the results of these trials with great interest," said Mr Peckham, "but Windsor is confident that it can reduce drying times for UK and European softwoods by 50% or more without increasing the level of degrade.