National housebuilder Gladedale Holdings plc has acquired a majority stake in a new Scottish timber frame manufacturer to help expand its operations throughout the UK.
Epsom-based Gladedale has bought a 75% stake in European Timber Systems, which is currently building an advanced timber kit and timber treatment factory in East Kilbride.
The facility is intended to become a timber systems hub for Gladedale, as well as supplying others in the housebuilding industry.
Due to be commissioned in early summer, the 55,000ft2 factory will employ up to 50 people and manufacture 500 homes per year.
Gladedale said the operation is designed to become a “next generation” timber frame plant, incorporating an environmentally-friendly timber treatment process.
Chairman and chief executive Remo Dipre said: “We believe this acquisition will give the group a competitive edge in the manufacture of timber kits both for our own operations and for other UK housebuilders, local government and housing associations.”
The timber frame capacity will give Gladedale more options for using timber frame at English developments, where it is currently focusing on masonry building methods.
Gladedale builds about 2,500 homes annually through Gladedale Homes, Bett Homes, Furlong Homes and Furlong City. It recently acquired a 50% stake in the £400m Quartermile development in Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s biggest urban regeneration projects.
