UK timber product distributor James Latham is getting excited about its involvement in this year’s TTJ Awards. The event, to be held at The Brewery on September 30, is the 20th anniversary of the Awards – an influencing factor behind Lathams deciding to give its support as Headline Sponsor.
Other factors also swayed its decision – it is a supporter of the National Forest which has its 25th anniversary this year, plus it has just opened a 60m2 showroom in the heart of London’s design community at the Business Design Centre. And next year will also be Lathams’ 260th anniversary.
Chris Sutton, chairman and managing director of Lathams Limited, said 2016, and the TTJ Awards in particular, represented an opportunity to involve itself in celebrating all that was good about the timber trade. “We are delighted to be involved with the TTJ Awards this year. The TTJ has recognised that the different sectors of our industry need recognition.”
“The TTJ has re-invented itself over the last few years. It’s more forward thinking, and fits with Lathams’ philosophy. “It’s also a damn good read. It’s up-to-date and very topical and we read it religiously from cover to cover.”
Its Headline Sponsorship sees it sponsoring two new categories Joinery Product Supplier of the Year and Lifetime Achievement. “To be involved in the two new categories is great and the joinery sector is a large part of James Latham’s business.
“Lifetime achievement is a fantastic thing for us to be involved in. It’s a good fit. A lot of people give their whole working life to our sector and at our company alone we have a lot of longstanding people.
“This is a big thing for us. We are very proud to have won the Timber Trader of the Year Award so many times and we have seen the benefits of it. Our suppliers like the fact that we have that badge of honour. It’s a recognition for investing with our suppliers and in our staff.
“I would encourage the industry to have a look at their businesses and see if there is judged category they can enter, whether it be the Marketing, Website, Environmental Achievement or Career Development awards. “It is an opportunity to raise the profile of your company and the industry as well. We should be very proud of the industry we work in.
“PR is a great way of raising your profile. When you get your peers voting for you that does mean something to people you are selling to.
“The TTJ Awards should be a celebration of what the industry is doing.”
JAMES LATHAM EXPANSION
Mr Sutton said Lathams had developed considerably as a company since 2000. “We had been very traditional but we now see ourselves as more forward-thinking and dynamic. Our people are knowledgeable and well trained and we’ve brought in some newer people to complement the business. “We do not make changes for the sake of things but only if it helps the business and benefits the customers.”
Key moments of its expansion were the openings of depots at Hemel Hempstead, Thurrock and Purfleet, the relocation of Eastleigh depot to Fareham and the expansion of Dudley, as well as establishing roots in Scotland in 2008.
From four sites, it has grown to 10 sites to be nearer to the customer base and invested in narrow aisle high racking warehouses with Combilift trucks, as well as greatly expanding the product portfolio.
“The timber industry is an exciting business because I think architects and specifiers do want to use timber products and there is an amazing opportunity for our trade in the UK at the moment,” added Mr Sutton. “We concentrate on what we believe we are good at and what the customers want.”
Just three weeks before the TTJ Awards, Lathams will be holding its Annual Late Summer Soiree in the Forest on September 9, when staff, customers and suppliers will converge on the National Forest as part of the company’s sponsorship of a 3.5ha forest site. The event takes on greater meaning this year with the National Forest’s 25th anniversary.
