MOVERS & SHAKERS ANDY HODGE
It’s 42 years since Arxada’s Andy Hodge started out in the timber industry as a management trainee with the Bridgewater- based branch of Mallinson-Denny, and in that time change has been constant.
In that time Andy has become one of the most recognised faces in timber and wood treatment circles and it’s no surprise given his impressive track record and qualifications.
“If I’ve learnt one thing… it’s that we all must embrace change continually. Nothing ever stands still!”
He went on to fulfil various sales and marketing roles with the Yeovil Timber Company before joining Rentokil in 1993 focusing on their wood preserving activities. Andy then spent 17 years with Osmose as Sales and Marketing Director prior to a two-year spell as Commercial Director with
M&M Timber.
In 2014 he joined Castleford- based Lonza which went on to become Arxada in 2021.
Andy, who hails originally from Somerset, also has an MBA from Henley Business School and is an advanced marketeer with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
He is also an Associate of the Institute of Wood Science which is now known as the Wood Technology Group.
He is currently the chair of the Western Timber Trade Association, been on the board of the WPA (UK Wood Protection Association) and executive member of the WEI which is, in essence, the European Wood
Protection Association. He has therefore experienced
many major industry changes in his time and commented: “The timber treatment sector has changed and evolved over the past four decades.
There’s now a much greater focus on preservative design by creating products with modern actives that will perform now and in the future.
“This has been necessitated by the growing regulatory challenges thrust upon the industry by European and UK Biocidal Products regulations. Of course, it presents operational
challenges but, ultimately, it’s vital that we incorporate care
for humans, animals and the environment into our thinking and processes to keep wood as a major substrate for industrial and residential construction.
“Wood preservatives are only one aspect of treated wood performance. They can only be effective if they are applied correctly and present in the wood at the right place at the right penetration and retention. To ensure those parameters are met good timber selection and conditioning is vital along with quality systems to ensure consistency of production. Ensuring ample sapwood levels, incising heartwood and refractory timbers and managing moisture content are vital for quality and longevity of treated timber products.
“The WPA’s Benchmark scheme is an example of encouraging and sharing best practice. It is in nobody’s interest to have chemicals and applications that don’t deliver.”
An increasing emphasis on the importance of tackling climate change across all facets of life feeds into Arxada’s thinking according to Andy.
“Another growing area of awareness will be the sustainable nature of timber products and the ability of wood to lock in carbon is growing all the time with treatments helping to lock in that carbon for even longer. This is becoming a very important factor for the end customers who want to invest in de-carbonising materials such as treated wood.
“Arxada has a ‘green innovation engine’ within its DNA and our commitment to the environment and climate is second to none.
“Tanasote, our oil-based copper wood preservative that’s been developed for high performance, industrial timbers, will bring a modern future proof twist to Europe as the utility, rail and agricultural sectors phase out creosote.
“As a company we are doing well, going from strength to strength and we will never take our eye off the ball in our bid to future-proof our treatments and applications.
“We all have a responsibility to do our bit and, if I’ve learnt one thing over the past 42 years, it’s that we all must embrace change continually. Nothing ever stands still!” concluded Andy.
Starting out in the industry in 1981, the same year that Fencing News was founded, few people are better placed than Andy to assess the progress made in recent decades and you can bet he’ll be around for a few more years to share that knowledge.
