Trade Secrets

Glenn Eastman

MD at Timber Store UK Ltd

When and how did Timber Store UK start?

The company was started in 2003 as a result of a part buy-out of another Timber merchants, which I had been managing for several years. This original branch is based in Kingskerswell in the Torbay area.

How has the business grown over the years and which areas do you cover?

After a short time owning the Torbay branch, I became involved with importing timber from Eastern Europe through the docks in Par, Cornwall. While importing timber for us, as well as other merchants in Cornwall and Devon, it made sense to have a timber merchant outlet in Cornwall, and so the second branch was started. Having quickly outgrown two consecutive sites, we moved to our current location at Victoria, near the A30 Cornish services, in 2012. This branch is now managed by my nephew, Adam, and has grown to be the premier branch of the company. The purchase of the site at Tavistock Woodland Sawmill took place in December last year. Taking on a business which had been shut for 9 months, while in a lock-down, may have seemed slightly mad but with existing outlets in Torbay and mid Cornwall the site at Gulworthy is a perfect fit for us geographically, enabling us to service a customer base throughout most of Devon and Cornwall. It also helps that it’s only 10 minutes from my home in the Tamar Valley. There is also a historical connection to the site with four generations of my wife’s family having worked for the old Tavistock Woodlands Estate and sawmill.

Why did you choose this line of work?

I stumbled into the industry after an early career in financial services. Having grown up in West Devon, my wife and I decided to move back to the West Country to start our family, and looking for a change in career, I took a job as a sales administrator with the Duchy of Cornwall at their Lostwithiel sawmill. Soon after, the sawmill was sold to a private buyer and over time I came to run the business for the owner.

What products and services do you offer your customers?

We offer both DIY and trade customers an extensive range of timber for construction, decking, landscaping and fencing, as well as many related products such as hardware, paving and garden sheds. As well as being well known for friendly and knowledgeable customer service, we are large enough to be very competitive but small enough to remember the importance of the relationship with our customers - we make sure everyone feels welcome when they visit our sites.

What is the best thing about your job?

Working with a fantastic group of people.