MICHELLE Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, has visited the Grangemouth head office of National Timber Group Scotland (NTG Scotland).
The Thornbridge Timber site is the central processing and distribution hub for the network of 25 NTG branches and sites across Scotland. The Grangemouth operation employs almost 100 local people and investment in operations is ongoing.
Ms Thomson toured the site with Nick Ratcliffe NTG Scotland Managing Director, Jeananne Drummond Site Operations Director and Crawford Churchill Trading Manager.
Crawford Churchill has recently been appointed President of the Scottish Timber Trade Association (STTA).
Michelle Thomson MSP said: “I was delighted to visit the Thornbridge Timber facility on Monday 4 March.
“Supporting our specialist timber production in Scotland is fundamental, especially in light of Brexit and the war in Ukraine. The implications being felt through supply chains and material availability are unprecedented. I was impressed by the commitment by Thornbridge Timber to deal with the wider challenges and find ways to overcome factors such as this, many of which are outwith their control, to continue the delivery of high quality and sustainable products to the market.
“National Timber Group not only provides economic benefit to Scotland through their business, but also local apprenticeships and jobs in the industry. Grangemouth is an industrially rich area, and we must do all we can to support these industries as they work towards net zero and re-assess their business management to adapt to wider global issues.
“I am pleased the central hub of such a fantastic facility is located in my constituency of Falkirk East and look forward to supporting their future progression.”
Crawford Churchill NTG Scotland Trading Manager said: “We were really pleased to show Ms Thomson the various operations at the site which support our building industry customers across Scotland.
“Our Grangemouth facility is our largest site with transport, stock, and manufacturing capability all in one place. It really demonstrates our capabilities as a specialist timber supplier.
“Timber is increasingly recognised for its structural applications as well as its sustainability. As a low embodied carbon material which can be repaired, reused, and recycled it has a vital role to play in construction.”
NTG is the largest independent timber distribution and processing group in the UK. It was created through the acquisitions of market-leading brands including Thornbridge Timber, Rembrand Timber, Orchard Timber Products and Arnold Laver, and launched in 2018. National Timber Systems is the group’s specialist engineered wood products division.
NTG has a combined turnover of over £350 million, 1,450 employees and 60 processing and distribution sites from the north of Scotland to the south of England.