Importer James E Smith (Timber) Ltd is planning to make further substantial investments following its purchase of a site in New Holland.
The company intends to add a treatment plant to the New Holland Terminal premises, which it acquired from Baker Tilly after former site owner Barrow Haven Shipping Sevices Ltd went into receivership earlier this year.
James E Smith, which has imported the majority of its Baltic timber into Barrow Haven port for a number of years, said the land purchase, treatment plant addition and associated costs represented an investment of approximately £1m.
It also sees scope for increasing its German timber imports to New Holland and will make a significant investment in milling facilities to its main Birmingham operation early next year.
The New Holland site comprises a four-acre yard and two covered storage buildings (28,000ft2), one of which may be rented out to other importers.
“We have been looking to add another treatment plant for some time and this acquisition gives us the chance to do it,” said the company’s finance director Bradley Hurst.
He said ownership of the site, manned by James E Smith staff, would give the company a free rein. “We are buying a lot from Germany now,” added Mr Hurst. “Until now it’s been by road but we can certainly look at putting vessels into Barrow Haven.”
The new site will also give James E Smith the ability to top up its stock with Scottish-grown products.
Mr Hurst said the company’s turnover increased last year from £11m to £15m and was predicted to grow to more than £18m this year.
“We have had a very good 18-24 months.”
