Bristol-based Mendip, an independent importer established more than 20 years ago, was run by father and son team John and James Pickford and specialised in Far Eastern and Brazilian plywood. TTJ understands that Mendip had also recently been sourcing Chinese products.
Joint administrator David Gilbert, of BDO Stoy Hayward, said it had not been possible to sell Mendip as a going concern. All staff have been laid off, including seven employees from the Bristol office and several from Mendip’s Tilbury warehouse operation.
Mr Gilbert could not elaborate on Mendip’s financial problems but said: “In the plywood market place you have got big players who have a big share of the market. This makes it tough for the smaller companies.”
Nick Boulton, The Timber Trade Federation‘s head of technical and industrial policy, said market conditions were tough, particularly for smaller players in the plywood industry. He said shortages from Indonesia, coupled with the emergence of cheaper Chinese products, had led to a supply shift in the trade.
