In episode 122, host Sue Stockdale explores the delicate balance between commerce and conservation in the world of forestry with guest Roderick Aitken. As a fifth-generation family business in Scotland importing tropical wood, Roddy shares insights on sustainable practices and the collective responsibility we have towards the planet, discusses the importance of protecting precious ecosystems while meeting the demand for exotic woods.

About Roderick Aitken
Roderick has a degree in forest management from The University of Aberdeen. He has spent one year working in Malaysia’s forest and sawmilling sectors, then two years with BSW timber in Scotland.   He joined Gilmour & Aitken in 2005 and is now Operations Director. Roderick is the principal buyer of tropical timbers for Gilmour & Aitken. He has carried out responsible purchasing audit work within West Africa, Far East and Guyana, traveling to these areas regularly. Roderick is a sailor and kayaker in summer, climber and skier in winter and enjoys being outdoors. The more remote and wilder the terrain, the better.

Find out more about Roderick Aitken at the website, and watch the video about Sustainable Forestry

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Time Stamps
[01:53] Sustainability in tropical timber industry.
[09:35] Long-term sustainability and traceability.
[14:14] Sustainable tropical logging practices.
[16:03] Hardwood for marine industry.
[22:05] Positive impacts of sustainable forestry.
[27:39] Maintaining supplier relationships.
[34:43] Materials for sustainable construction.

Key Quotes

• “It isn't just always profit maximisation. It's a long-term sustainability goal as well.”
• "I get quite frustrated when people think that they're two different things, economic sustainability and environmental sustainability."
• “In the size of a football field, you're only taking two or three trees. So it's very light touch logging."
• "For every cubic metre of Greenheart arrived in the UK and used on a job, 1.24 tonne of carbon is being stored in the Guyanese forests as it's regrowing."
• “I think that relationship is really important. Supplier and buyer, you both have to be successful for it to work.”
• "Without trust, a lot of the tropical timber operation will fall apart."

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Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra