DYLAN APPOINTED TO LEAD END GRAIN TILING PROJECT
January 26, 2010
A design specialist has been appointed to lead an exciting project to develop a new flooring system that uses end grain tiles from sustainable hardwood or softwood in Powys.
Dylan Jones, 39, from Caersws, will head up the two-and-a-half year Coed Cymru project that has secured funding from the Welsh Assembly Government and European Union under the Supply Chain Efficiency Scheme, which is part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales.
The end grain floor tiling system is the latest innovation by Coed Cymru, based in Tregynon, near Newtown, following initial talks with Powys County Council around two years ago, when the idea was first mooted, to develop this hand crafted product to industrial levels of manufacture.
The tiles are ideally suited to the small dimension timber that is abundant in Wales. Several different types of wood, including birch, alder, sycamore, cherry, oak and most softwood species can be used for the tiles.
Dylan’s mission is to develop the supply chain for end grain tiles. His work will involve identifying the amount of suitable timber available in Powys for the project over the next decade. He will also project manage the design and development of machinery to manufacture the tiles as well as a heat treatment process and drying racks.
The project will be launched at a presentation to potential partners at Coed Cymru’s headquarters on March 10.
The ultimate aim of this project is to show that end grain tiles are a feasible product to manufacture, said Mr Jones. By adding value to a very poor woodland material, we aim to show that you can end up with a high quality product.
The opportunity to lead this project came at the perfect time for me, as I was looking to further my career by finding a way to use all the skills that I have acquired to date. I like the fact that there is a research and development aspect to the role and that we are using the sustainable resources around us to their best ability.
This project ticks all the boxes for me and I think it will take the timber industry forward.
Originally from Newcastle Emlyn, Mr Jones graduated from Loughborough University with a first class degree in furniture design before working as a forester on a private estate. He went on to work for joinery and furniture companies and was involved in a commission to make the reception desk for the Scottish Parliament. For the last six years, he has been a self-employed carpenter.
Coed Cymru is probably best known for its development work on Ty Unnos (house built in one night), a multi award-winning modular building system for affordable housing that also uses sustainable Welsh wood.
Established in 1985 as a public sector partnership, the company promotes the management of broadleaf woodlands and the use of locally grown hardwood timber in Wales.
For more information about Coed Cymru visit www.coedcymru.org.uk/tyunnos.
Notes for Editors:
Established back in 1985 as a public sector partnership, Coed Cymru has instigated more than 6,000 woodland projects in Wales, half of which are farm woodlands. The company, which works with around 100 Welsh manufacturers, began product development work on utilising Welsh hardwoods in 1990 and has successfully developed outdoor furniture, laminated flooring, windows, doors, cladding and wood chips for fuel.
For more information please contact David Jenkins at Coed Cymru, 01686 650777 or Duncan Foulkes, public relations consultant, on 01686 650818.
Coed Cymru, The Old Sawmill,
Tregynon, Newtown,
Powys SY16 3PL
Tel 01686 650 777
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