London-based Union Veneers plc says its veneered board pressing plant is now fully operational.

It has the capacity to produce 1,200 boards a day with just two operators working a single shift.

Company director Brian Landes said: “Working in conjunction with our Slovenian jointing factory, we are able to take advantage of their low labour charges to produce the lay ons and combine it with our efficient system for pressing the boards to give us an end product which will be very competitive in the market place.”

He said the installation was a natural progression for the company as it now had its own logging concessions and its own mill to slice veneers along with a jointing section. He added: “The next stage was obviously setting up a veneered board division.”

Mr Landes said this meant quality did not need to be compromised for the sake of cost and added: “Our first order for Forest Stewardship Council certified oak is destined for Buckingham Palace.”