Two hundred sheets of Norbord’s SterlingOSB3 have been used to envelop the perimeter of the Welsh Rugby Union’s new regional development centre in Carmarthen, Wales. The centre is allied to and used by Carmarthen Athletic Club and is also the training centre of excellence for Llanelli Rugby Club’s Scarlets Region.

Builders’ merchant, Jewson, supplied the 200 sheets of 18mm SterlingOSB3 from its Carmarthen store after Norbord donated the product due to Jewson’s close connection with the club. Many of Jewson’s customers are also supporters of the club, especially as the Scarlets Region belongs to the Carmarthen area. Not surprisingly, it was a committee member of Carmarthen Athletic Club, also one of Jewson’s biggest customers, who approached Jewson to help out with materials for the new centre.

Sterling OSB3 is ideal for wall sheathing as it is designed to withstand rough treatment and heavy use. In addition, it is eco-friendly as it is made from forest thinnings grown locally, in sustainably-managed forests. SterlingOSB is also certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) chain of custody.

Gary Coleman, Branch Manager of Jewson’s Carmarthen store, explains: “We felt Norbord’s SterlingOSB3 would be the most suitable product for the wall because it is durable, strong and fit-for-purpose. It is used to prevent players running into the steel beams. The alternatives were chipboard, which would break easily, or plywood, which would have been more expensive.”

Stickers bearing Norbord’s logo will also be added to the perimeter wall in the near future.