Nordic timber giants UPM and Stora Enso are expanding their UK operations by opening dedicated import service centre operations this summer.
Forth Ports plc will build a 6,000m2 covered shed and service centre at Tilbury for UPM’s WISA sawn timber and specialist joinery products.
And Stora Enso Timber UK Ltd is to develop a dedicated import service centre at Associated British Ports‘ Port of Immingham as the hub for its new nationwide wood products distribution strategy.
Esa Mikkonen, marketing manager of UPM-Kymmene Wood Ltd, said the Tilbury centre would copy the company’s Hull operation, but service customers in southern England and the Midlands.
He said until now haulage costs from Hull had restricted UPM’s sales operations further south.
Meanwhile, Stora Enso Timber UK will use Immingham to deliver timber from its mills in the Nordic, Baltic and central European countries.
The rail-connected terminal will offer just in time deliveries.
