AN AUCHINLECK company was invited to join a working group of experts set up to meet the challenges faced by the wood panel industry.

John Paterson, pictured extreme right with fellow members, is a director at Egger Forestry which helps support 7,500 direct and indirect jobs dependent on the industry nationally.

He said: “Maintaining a positive wood supply balance is crucial to us as a business, so it’s important that we’re involved in discussions around the issues facing the sector.

“Working alongside representatives from Norbord and Kronospan, we will continue to support the sector and the industries it feeds into, including construction, furniture, packaging and transport.”

Politicians from all parties came together to set up the think-tank on behalf of the Wood Panel Industries Federation and its members, with Mr Paterson a prominent speaker at their first meeting.