Carvers Timber Engineering has joined Södra Wood’s engineered wood products distribution network to help the housebuilding industry more easily access the fast supply of I-joist floor kits using Masonite Beams.

Södra's association with Wolverhampton-based builders' merchant, Carvers, will support its aim of delivering I-joist kits within just seven days, compared to the current market norm of three to four weeks. Carvers' service includes the complete I-joist package, from bespoke design through to kit preparation and delivery.

Together, Södra and Carvers can offer this high performance turnaround, thanks to the powerful combination of Carvers' design capacity and expertise, and Södra’s fast, reliable timber supply.

As part of Europe’s largest co-operative of forest owners, Södra has the ability to supply timber and EWP to its customers via East Coast ports within 48-hours, enabling them to provide a fast turnaround of I-joists - something that is invaluable to the construction industry, particularly when it comes to housebuilding.

Simon Smart, Contracts Manager at Carvers, said: "We've chosen Södra as our exclusive supplier for I-joists because of our experience of its unmatched outstanding service, reliability and strong environmental ethos. We value the partnering approach we have with Södra, we all work as one team bringing the best offering to our customers, and ultimately this is what it’s all about.”

In support of this, Carvers has launched a new EWP focused website which customers can access at www.carverstimberengineering.co.uk.

Neil Lewis, National Sales Manager at Södra, said: "Södra’s mission is to support more sustainable construction through timber - housebuilders are under massive pressure to build efficiently, and to do this they need a reliable supply chain. We are delighted to add Carvers to our network of distributors - we are confident that their approach will offer housebuilders the supply assurance that fits their needs.

"Together we bring many years' experience in timber, outstanding design knowledge and expertise, and top quality products. Quite simply, housebuilders can depend on us to get the job done - within the timeframes they require."

The Masonite I-joists supplied by Södra are manufactured in accordance with the environmental management system ISO 14001, and use wood fibre certified under PEFC with full chain of custody processes. The high efficiency of the ‘wood to I-Joist’ conversion process means that for a specific volume of I-Joists, far fewer trees are harvested than those required to produce an equivalent volume of solid sawn timber joists.