Pallet manufacturer Scott Timber Group and Humber Timber Terminals Ltd, a joint venture between Barrow Haven Shipping Services and Lacy & Middlemiss, have teamed up with Associated British Ports (ABP) in separate ventures totalling £1.7m.
Scott Timber Group is to expand operations in Wales with a £1m investment in new premises and state-of-the-art machinery as part of a 10-year agreement.
A 50,000ft2 factory at ABP’s Port of Barry in south Wales will more than treble its timber pallet production. Scott Timber is investing £300,000 in a pallet assembly line from Spain while ABP is investing nearly £800,000 upgrading the port’s Transit A Shed and improving cranage for Scott Timber’s operation.
Scott Timber will relocate from its current premises in Barry.
Meanwhile ABP is investing £700,000 in a 5,775m2 warehouse next to the £1m Immingham Forest Products Terminal at the Port of Immingham which became operational in May.
The warehouse will handle imports for Humber Timber Terminals Ltd under a five year agreement and ABP will also provide outside storage at the site.
Lacy & Middlemiss managing director Tony Marsh said: “As a shipping line we ship around one million m3 of softwood and panel products from the Baltics to a number of ports throughout the UK.
“Immingham is a strong partner, which is why we asked for additional facilities there.
“Russia is a fast-growing market and this step will help us keep pace with customer demand.
“The volume coming to Immingham is going to be significant and it has the potential to grow. About one-third of our business comes through the Humber as it is the natural gateway to the Baltics.”
