A new UK-based timber group has been formed by combining Hawthorn Timber and Cheshire Mouldings
The launch was announced on October 28, following the acquisition of Cheshire Mouldings, and sees former BSW Group chairman Tony Hackney take on the chairmanship of the newly-formed Summit Timber Group.
Hawthorn Timber, based in Hull, supplies machined and treated softwood, panel products and cladding solutions across the UK and Ireland, while Cheshire Mouldings, located in St Helens, produces and distributes mouldings, stair parts, panelling, decking and joinery timbers, supplying the retail and merchant sectors.
The Summit Timber Group will grow via organic investment in capacity, processes and products, while also growing via acquisition of strategically complimentary businesses. The Group will focus heavily on good customer service.
“I felt that although I am very passionate about Cheshire Mouldings and its team, it was time to encourage growth in the company which would need further investment and resource which the Summit Timber Group can provide,” said John Carney, managing director of Cheshire Mouldings.
Richard Thompson, managing director of Hawthorn Timber, said there were exciting times in the next stage of development of Cheshire Mouldings.
Cheshire Mouldings will integrate with Hawthorn Timber, under the chairmanship of Tony Hackney. Jacquie Capper will continue as sales director of Cheshire Mouldings, while both Cheshire Mouldings and Hawthorn Timber teams will continue to manage the businesses which continue as normal.
Summit Timber Group plans to consolidate its existing performance, to increase capacity and broaden the capabilities of the business group and its product offerings.
“The long-established names of Cheshire Mouldings and Hawthorn Timber will remain,” said Tony Hackney.
“With our specialised focus on our current customer base and passion to grow we will be enhancing our capabilities to provide a full package. I am proud to be helping and providing support to this new Group and look forward to contacting my loyal customers, suppliers and business friends who over the many years in the trade have supported me.”
Mr Hackney told TTJ that the Summit Timber Group is not an investment company backed holding company, but the Group had strong support from banks.
He said Summit did not have ambitions of being a massive group but focusing on high quality service and products.
Chris Husband, formerly of Bayram Timber and BSW, is joining as non-executive director and will help guide the sales strategy of the business.
Hawthorn Timber recorded sales of £42.9m in the year ended December 31, 2023, with net profits of £5m. Cheshire Mouldings recorded sales of £37.8m and pre-tax profits of £2.3m.
