New Zealand-based radiata pine producer Claymark is looking to add to its current UK volumes of decking and clear boards.
B&Q has been buying clear radiata pine boards from Claymark for a couple of years, while Champion Timber recently took delivery of a container of 32x150mm treated decking.
Meetings are now being held with three major distributors, while Clayton managing director Mark Clayton and UK market manager Tony Strange will visit the UK in May to attend the National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) exhibition on May 15.
Agent Peter Meadows has been helping to develop the UK market for Claymark in association with the company’s office in Ipswich. He told TTJ that the Claymark treated decking had a 20-year guarantee and was knot-free.
“It’s more expensive than Scandinavian treated softwood decking but cheaper than hardwoods,” said Mr Meadows. “It is one of the few 32mm deck boards that I have seen where the treatment penetrates all the way through. It’s due to the species and the way they are doing the treatment process.” Deck boards are machined after treatment.
Claymark is also offering a primed cladding product, which in the US market comes with a 50-year guarantee.
Products come in 50-300mm widths and in lengths up to 4.8m.
Recent sawmills acquisitions in New Zealand will also lead to Claymark offering joinery products. Claymark’s largest market is the US, where Home Depot imports dozens of containers every month.
