Robert Howie & Sons, the 151-year-old Scottish firm with a sizeable sawmilling and timber products arm, has been bought out by directors Robin and Neil Howie in a multi-million pound deal.
The brothers, backed by a Clydesale Bank loan, bought the share capital of Howie & Sons and have announced a restructuring, separating the forestry and agriculture sides of the business.
It means an end to unlimited liability status, with the Dalbeattie-based sawmilling and timber products arm, Howie Forest Products Ltd, one of four subsidiary companies under the new Howie Group Ltd.
Robin Howie, managing director of Howie Forest Products Ltd, told TTJ: ‘With the difficulties in farming, it means we can now concentrate on timber which is the core business. I think there are areas for growth in the sawmilling business. The forests are to double in size, so there are future opportunities to increase production.’
Mr Howie said the restructure ‘made sense’ as the bulk of the agriculture business was in Ayrshire whereas the timber arm was about 80 miles away in Dalbeattie.
The brothers have sold the agricultural side of the business back to other members of the family.
‘It’s been a very amicable business deal,’ Mr Howie added.
Howie Group Ltd, based at Dunlop, also incorporates Howie of Dunlop Ltd (construction, fencing and transport); Howie Management Ltd (administration and property management); and Howie Minerals Ltd (limestone and quarries).
