An investment of £560,000 is being made in a move to larger premises by Cumbrian redwood joinery timber and heat-treated packaging wood supplier RH Wilson Lakes.
RH Wilson Lakes, which grades redwood for specific end use, has agreed a purchase of the new site at Kirkby Stephen over the next four years for about £500,000 in a move which will allow it to expand its business.
A further £60,000 is being invested in an additional sideloader and ancillary equipment.
Company director Richard Wilson told TTJ that the new 20,000ft² undercover storage will be 42% larger than the present warehouse and the yard is about 60% bigger. Larger offices are being refurbished to accommodate additional sales and administration staff.
“We feel there is and will be an increasing need for our unique specifically graded timbers, which we produce for exact end use,” said Mr Wilson.
“We have seen steady growth in our business during the last year and we see this continuing. This year we expect to achieve £1.9m and next year we are projecting £2.3m.”
Mr Wilson said the market was currently “very delicate”, with prices influenced by consumption from other countries, while currency and log prices were tending to push prices up at the same time that oversupply and lesser demand were weakening prices.
The move will commence at the beginning of December and will entail a production stop for 7-10 days.
