Rising sales of Swedish Masonite Beams have led to the creation of a company dedicated to supporting the product in the UK and Ireland.
Masonite Beams UK Ltd has been set up by Kent-based agent/broker Panel Agency Ltd in co-operation with the Swedish manufacturer.
Mark Wilson, director of family-run Panel Agency Ltd, is the managing director of the new company.
He said: ‘This move demonstrates the support we offer to specifiers of Masonite products in the UK. It will also provide the necessary background assistance to the selected main distributor, Fillcrete’s operation, as demand for the Masonite range grows.’
Plans are also afoot by Masonite Beams AB to establish a UK manufacturing operation within three years, which will also serve the French and German markets.
Large stocks of products will be held at strategic points across the UK. These centres will have facilities for cutting lengths to demand.
Graham Nield, formerly technical manager with Fillcrete, is the new technical director of Masonite Beams (UK). He will provide customer support, structural advice and back-up to architects, engineers and other specifiers.
Masonite beams are made from flanges of slow-grown Swedish whitewood and joined by a web of structural board to provide strength and rigidity.
The product range includes wall studs and beams for rafters and floor joists. Masonite structural board is also used as a connector in roof construction.
