Glosford Timber solutions is building foundations

Glosford Timber Solutions (GTS) is a new business set to buck the current economic trend by launching a roof truss factory and engineered flooring distribution operation in Hereford. The creation of GTS, which starts production in April, provides a rare ray of light in the construction downturn which has hit the roof truss manufacturing industry.

GTS managing director Ken Jones was formerly a board member of steel company Wescol Group plc, responsible for the £76m structural steel side of the business. He led constructional steel projects at the stadiums of Newcastle United and Reading FC and the Brayhead shopping centre, Glasgow.

The new company is using an 65,000ft2 factory already owned by Jones to house the new operation.  He comments: “I have been associated with the building industry since I was a young lad, but I’ve been out of the steel industry for about 10 years and I would not want to go back. It’s a fresh challenge to go into a new sector and timber appeals as it’s a light material, easy to handle and clean.

“We will be building the business over the next 12-18 months ready to take full advantage of the expected market upturn in the latter part of 2010-2011.”

GTS sales director Mike Fleming, former sales and marketing director at Palgrave Brown, explains that the business is targeting a turnover in excess of £5m within three years.  “As a team we offer in-depth experience in the sector, which is essential in the current challenging climate.  We are financially secure, there’s business out there to be won and we are ready for the predicted pick-up next year.”

The new company has bought truss fabrication equipment and an I-beam line from administrators of Palgrave Brown at a low cost and machinery is currently being transferred from the former Palgrave sites at Nuneaton and Yeovil. It is also assessing different suppliers of engineered timber as it intends to supply both I-joists and an open-web joist, while future plans include starting Structural Insulated Panel production at the turn of 2009/2010.

For more information, please contact Glosford Timber Solutions on 01432 842999