The move was prompted by increased demand from Buildbase, a sister company owned by parent Grafton Group. The 70,000ft2 hub will also serve other UK customers.
L&G operates as a merchant and importer from a three acre site in Maidstone, a 16-acre timber terminal in Rochester and a sheet material store at Tilbury. The company said it had chosen Tilbury to consolidate its timber distribution alongside its panel operation.
“We have been located at Tilbury for a number of years and it seemed very logical to create this timber hub to maximise the efficiencies at the port and couple the carcassing business with the already successful sheet material distribution,” said L&G managing director Jeff Foot.
The Port of Tilbury said it handles in excess of 3 million tonnes of forest products a year and using its services would save L&G costs throughout the supply chain.
“We have worked with L&G for a number of years to develop a timber distribution centre, which suits their business and delivers for their customers,” said the port’s senior asset manager Paul Dale.
“Tilbury is the perfect location for L&G with our strong geographical location and excellent supply chain connections.”
