National Timber Group (NTG), the UK’s largest independent timber distribution and processing business, has collapsed into administration with 561 immediate redundancies and 13 branch closures across the United Kingdom, including six sites in Scotland.
The Sheffield-headquartered company, which traces its origins to 1920 and supplied timber to landmark infrastructure projects including the 2012 London Olympics and Hinkley Point nuclear power station, fell victim to prolonged weak trading conditions in the construction sector and severe liquidity pressures.
Joint administrators from Alvarez & Marsal were appointed on 26 November 2025 and have launched an accelerated sale process for the group’s business and assets. While remaining sites continue to operate, the collapse represents a significant blow to both the UK timber industry and Scotland’s forestry supply chain, which contributes £1.1 billion annually to the Scottish economy and employs more than 34,000 people.
The administration affects five entities comprising the National Timber Group, with 561 workers made redundant immediately across sites and central functions. Of those job losses, 169 positions were in Scotland – a significant proportion given the company’s substantial Scottish footprint.
Prior to the collapse, NTG operated 47 sites nationwide with approximately 1,150 employees, including 25 locations across Scotland spanning Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Grangemouth, Aberdeen, Inverness, Ayr, and Stirling.
The Scottish sites closed immediately are in Dumbarton, Forfar, Newton Stewart, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.
Michael Magnay, joint administrator from Alvarez & Marsal, confirmed the appointment and outlined the path forward: “National Timber Group is the UK’s leading timber supplier to joiners, housebuilders and contractors, operating under a number of widely recognised brands. As joint administrators, we have launched an accelerated sale process, and we encourage any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.”
Magnay added: “We are encouraged by the level of interest so far and we are hopeful of finding a buyer for all or parts of the group. Regrettably, the company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are committed to supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process. We appreciate the support and patience of the highly skilled workforce in difficult circumstances, particularly at this time of year.”
According to the latest available accounts, National Timber Group England turned over nearly £200 million in 2023 but recorded pre-tax losses of £6.3 million. The Scottish subsidiary, National Timber Group Scotland Limited, showed turnover of £84.2 million in December 2023, but operating losses had deteriorated dramatically to £12.7 million from a profit of £490,000 the previous year – a decline of over 2,700%.
The timber industry’s challenges mirror those afflicting the wider UK construction sector. David Hopkins, Chief Executive of Timber Development UK, offered a stark assessment when the administration notices were first filed: “Market conditions are utterly brutal right now for all of our members, large and small alike. Our thoughts are with the staff and teams across the National Timber Group. There is a rich history and legacy within all of the brands which make up NTG and we hope that as much of this as possible can be saved regardless of the eventual outcome.”
Scottish Forestry: A Critical Supply Chain Under Pressure
The collapse carries particular significance for Scotland, where the forestry and wood sector contributes £1.1 billion Gross Value Added annually to the economy and supports more than 34,000 jobs. The industry has experienced substantial growth in recent years, with employment up 30% and economic impact rising more than 15% compared to 2015 figures.
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Many forestry jobs are concentrated in rural and remote locations, making the sector vital to fragile local economies with limited alternative employment opportunities.
Outlook
The joint administrators have indicated “encouraged” early interest in acquiring all or parts of the National Timber Group, though the timing of any transaction—and the extent of job preservation—remains uncertain.
For the 561 workers made redundant just weeks before Christmas, and for the communities dependent on the 13 closed branches, the immediate priority is securing support through the redundancy process and hoping that a buyer can preserve at least some of the group’s operations and century-long legacy.
