A Northamptonshire timber company says its diversification into different business areas is helping it meet the supply and price challenges affecting the industry.
Scotts of Thrapston, which has added engineered flooring and timber garages and workshops to its portfolio in the last year, said although it can’t control unpredictable market factors it could innovate to take the business forward.
Scotts chairman David Scott, said the company’s easi-joist system, a metal web/timber flange joist product developed by Wolf Systems, has resulted in new opportunities for the business in the consumer market, which he described as “uncharacteristically” buoyant in light of interest rate rises and spiralling house prices.
He said the move enabled the company to offer housebuilders a one-stop shop for their flooring and roof needs. Other business areas include summerhouses, joinery and equine buildings.
“The market place in the construction industry is buoyant and everyone is busy. On the summer house and stable side it’s also incredibly busy. It’s been one of the busiest years we have ever had.
“When you have lots of divisions like us and all the cylinders are firing together, then you’re making a lot of money. Our order books are very busy at the moment.”
But he said timber price stability needed to be restored following a 12 months in which Scotts had seen a 33% hike in timber costs.
“I think prices are going to be steady during the first half of 2008 and then rises at the end of the year,” said Mr Scott.
