Ireland-based Goodwins Timber Frame has invested £4m in the UK with the purchase of an 80,000ft2 factory in Wales which it is developing into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for timber frame buildings.
Goodwins Group managing director Jonathan Goodwin said expansion into the UK market made sound business sense. He said: “We will be starting completely from scratch and it is a calculated risk, but we know the UK timber frame market is tried and tested.”
The company is geared up to volume manufacturing and specialises in 14m panelled main construction frames which make for extremely fast assembly on site.
The facility near Risca, Newport, which has been actively supported by the Welsh Development Agency, is due to officially open in June and it will create up to 45 jobs.
Machinery being installed includes an automated wall and floor manufacturing line from Weinmann, Germany; truss manufacturing equipment from Randek, Sweden; and saws from Homag Espana.
The factory sits on an eight-acre site and Mr Goodwin said a number of proposals were being considered for the surplus land which could revitalise the commercial life of the area.
Well established in Ireland, Goodwins Timber Frame kits are suitable for blocks of flats and large multiple units as well as individual houses. Mr Goodwin said the company was talking to “all interested parties” in the UK, including house builders, developers and housing associations, and that the response had been very good.
He anticipated further expansion in the UK in the future.
