As the UK’s leading builders’ merchant, Travis Perkins has long been recognised for its commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable timber. The company’s approach combines rigorous chain of custody processes, customer education, and industry engagement, ensuring that sustainability is embedded across its entire supply chain.
“Our responsible sourcing policy ensures that we only buy certified timber products” says Barry Pollock, Timber Chain of Custody Manager, for Travis Perkins. “Prior to 2021, 65% of our timber-based products were FSC-certified, which changed to 62% PEFC-certified material purchased post-2021. This transition was driven by market dynamics and a growing preference for PEFC-certified supply, but we maintain a dual PEFC and FSC certification system to ensure robust supply chain resilience and to offer choice across our wide product range.”
Chain of custody essentials
At the heart of Travis Perkins’ sustainability approach lies its stringent Chain of Custody (CoC) management process, an integral part of all responsible timber sourcing policies. “The integrity of our CoC is fundamental to ensure the legal and sustainable origin of our timber,” says Barry. “This process is managed by a dedicated three-person CoC team reporting directly into the Responsible Sourcing department. This team manages an extensive network of timber suppliers and branches that we have on our certificates.”
The team conducts regular internal audits and facilitates external audits carried out by certification body Interface NRM. “This rigorous internal and external oversight ensures the secure segregation and identification of all certified products throughout our entire distribution network and validates our compliance with both PEFC and FSC standards annually,” says Barry.
When it comes to customer preferences for certified products, Travis Perkins takes a balanced approach, with customer demand driven by both regulatory compliance and growing corporate sustainability targets. “Customers require assurance of responsible sourcing,” says Barry. “Our dual PEFC/FSC strategy remains vital to ensure comprehensive availability and supply chain resilience, rather than shifting our product mix toward one scheme.”
Although Travis Perkins currently operates solely within Great Britain, it continues to monitor developments in European legislation including the ongoing development of the EUDR and its impact on the timber supply chain. “As we do not have any branches outside of Great Britain and do not export into Europe, we are currently outside the scope of the EUDR,” says Barry. “That being said, we actively participate in various trade working groups, including the TDUK Responsible Sourcing Working Group, to stay informed on the latest developments regarding EUDR requirements, its potential impact on our supply chain, and any changes to key implementation dates.”
Customer trends and expanding PEFC products
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,” says Barry. “We also integrate certification details directly into product descriptions and where applicable, specify if a product is PEFC or FSC-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.
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.”
Travis Perkins continues to demonstrate leadership in responsible timber sourcing across a wide and diverse customer base and is working closely with partners such as PEFC UK to help reinforce the company’s role as a trusted partner for certified materials, suitable for all timber users across the UK.
