The surge in ‘real’ wood products has put Essex-based Highfield Timber Products Ltd on track to achieve a budgeted sales target of more than £7m this year.
The company, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has Forest Stewardship Council chain of custody certification and is working towards Investors in People accreditation.
It is now in the middle of a £500,000 investment in its Hall Road site, machinery and workforce. Best known in the picture mouldings market, Highfield Timber is concentrating on increasing its share in the furniture, joinery and kitchen and bedroom sectors.
A planning application has been submitted to extend and improve the site which, if successful, will give the company an extra 30% manufacturing space.
There has also been considerable investment in new equipment including CNC routing and panel sawing together with additional cutting and drilling machinery. This, the company says, has already improved productivity and given a greater range of processes for more complete manufacture of components, particularly for the furniture and related industries,
The company has also invested in a universal automatic cutting and boring machine which enables efficient production of rails and posts for the carcass assembly of self-fitted kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.
People investment has included the creation of a customer service department and an increased sales resource through the appointment of specialist business managers.
A further stage of Highfield’s development has been the introduction of a standard range stock of profiles.
Company chairman Derrick Highfield says the company has benefited from the surge in real wood and timber products – especially in the flooring industry. He said: “While there has been a move over to MDF-based products, it is gratifying to see solid timbers remain popular, and the surge in interest in wood and laminate flooring has been very good for Highfield.”
