Wesbeam joins new industry initiative to promote lightweight timber framed construction

Wesbeam is proud to be part of the groundbreaking Future Framing Initiative (FFI), a collaborative program designed to revolutionise the lightweight timber framed construction industry in Australia.

Leading companies in Australia’s timber construction sector, including Wesbeam, have united under the governance of Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) to modernise timber design standards and strengthen the industry’s competitive position.

Key objectives of the Future Framing Initiative include:

• Updating critical industry standards, including AS1684 Residential Timber Framed Construction. 

• Developing a new FWPA Industry Standard for Lightweight Timber Framing Design & Construction for mid-rise buildings. 

• Fostering technical expertise and ensuring succession planning for the future of the timber framing sector. 

• Enhancing the industry's position against increasing competition from steel framing and concrete slab-on-ground alternatives.

Supported by 13 leading organisations and backed by research from the University of Tasmania through a successful Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) research grant, this initiative will drive industry-wide improvements, from design standards to technical capacity building.

Wesbeam is committed to ensuring the future of timber construction remains strong, efficient, and sustainable.

Image: Wesbeam’s structural mass timber beams were specified for the University of Melbourne Bio21 Stage 2C Advanced Microscopy Facility