Paul Jarquin elected president of Fibois France

This election at the head of the national network of regional interprofessions comes in a context of supply tensions for the wood sector. In addition to the sharp increase in demand for wood, a material which meets the requirements of reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, there is a shortage linked to the temporary shutdown of the economy. Faced with this situation, the French players in the 1st transformation have also reacted remarkably by mobilizing on weekends and holidays, including to fulfill as many orders as possible.

In addition to this economic crisis caused by an exceptional global health crisis, there is a more structural economic and commercial tension linked to the play of certain countries involved in the sector, and in particular Russia, Canada and the United States. This context has brought to light the need for greater structuring of the European and French timber industry from downstream to upstream so that there is better coordination of stakeholders and the greatest possible solidarity in the event of a crisis. Structuring already called for by a parliamentary report.

It is in this spirit of strategic cooperation that Paul Jarquin, a seasoned wood construction contractor, intends to exercise his mandate at the head of Fibois France.

After a first entrepreneurial experience in the United States, Paul Jarquin founded REI Habitat, in Montreuil, in 2009. It is with this real estate development company specializing in the construction of collective housing in wooden structure, that he made his commitment a reality. for the reduction of the carbon footprint of the building sector. He is one of the ardent promoters of the radical transformation of the construction industry, from classic materials to bio-based materials. Today, REI Habitat is committed to tracking all the construction materials used on its sites to ensure that they come from sustainably managed French forests, and is committed to renewing forests.

It is therefore quite logical that Paul Jarquin is actively involved in the development of the French forest-wood sector. Since 2019, he has been President of FIBois Île-de-France. He is also secretary general of ADIVBois, an association created to implement the government's “Industry of the future” plan, which promotes high-rise wooden buildings.

Following his election, Paul Jarquin declared “I thank the members of Fibois France for the trust they have placed in me. And I would like to salute Christian Ribes who has accomplished essential work for the 2400 member companies of Fibois France which today benefit from a clear roadmap built around four strategic axes which are the adaptation of the forest to climate change. ; the bioeconomy and the integration of short circuits in the uses and valuation of wood; innovation, without which we would not be able to remain a globally competitive industry; and finally, training and attractiveness for jobs in this promising sector. I would add that we must also focus our efforts on raising the general public's awareness of the interests and challenges of our timber industry ”.

Key figures of the sector:

• 378.000 direct full-time equivalents according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
• 60 billion turnover
• 16,9 million ha of forest, i.e. almost 1/3 of French territory
• An increase in demand of nearly 30% compared to 2019