Merchant and distributor Brooks Bros has signed a deal with Fibre7 UK to be exclusive distributor for its New Zealand-made densified softwood, Lignia, in the UK and Ireland.
Lignia is ‘densified’ through impregnation with a cellulose-based compound to match the performance of hardwoods. It is currently aimed at interior uses, including flooring and joinery.
“The agreement with Brooks Bros is a great development for us and Lignia’s profile in the UK and Ireland,” said Paul Duncan of Fibre7 UK. “It means there will be a stock of Lignia dimension timber held here, at Brooks’ Maldon, Essex branch, and that it will be available Nationwide via the company’s distribution network, including group member Fitchett & Woollacott.”
Brooks, he added, will be selling Lignia in dimension form, but will also further process it into a range of products, including mouldings, picture frames, worktops and flooring, a particular specialism of Fitchett & Woollacott.
“Brooks’ sales representatives have all been fully briefed on the properties of Lignia and we currently have a significant consignment headed for the UK,” said Mr Duncan.
Currently, he added, Lignia is being used in the UK for door manufacture by Jeld-Wen and for furniture by Aspace.
“We are also currently talking to Premdor,” said Mr Duncan.
Fibre7’s further development plans for Lignia include the production of an exterior version, currently being tested by researchers in Germany. It is also aiming for environmental certification.
“We can already say with certainty that this is an environmentally-sound material because it’s based on plantation-grown timber,” said Mr Duncan. “But, by the end of the year, we aim to underpin this with Forest Stewardship Council certification.”
