Timber decking producers are celebrating a cracking summer as sales soar and the Timber Decking Association predicts a minimum sales potential of more than £50m in the UK this year.
At Howarth Timber Importers this year’s one millionth metre of decking was produced last week.
The company says its investment in the production of Tanalith treated softwood has paid off with impressive sales. Output has doubled this year with the installation of a second treatment plant, and a triple-shift system has been introduced at the New Holland plant.
Decking business manager Terry Blackwood said: ‘We expect to produce about 3 million metres this year compared to 1.4 million metres last year. We are selling everything we manufacture and are at full capacity on production’
Decking production at BSW Timber ramped up in May and June after a slow start because of wet weather. Marketing manager Siobhan Guest said: ‘There has been exceptional demand, especially from the DIY and professional landscaping areas.’
The company is struggling to keep up with orders for its balustrading products. Ms Guest said: ‘We saw 400 times more sales in May than was forecast. We managed to keep supplies going because we had stock, but we have had to play catch up. The huge influx of orders could have been sparked by the new delivery service launched this year.’
BSW has produced more than 4 million metres since it started manufacturing decking in 1999 and estimates it has produced more than one million metres so far this year.
