FEATURE JAMES JONES & SONS
All Timber Bases Covered
James Jones & Sons Ltd have been at the forefront of the UK timber industry for generations and are constantly innovating and expanding. We spoke to them about recent company activity and about what shape they find the timber market in.
W
hat will the recent acquisition of GT Timber bring
Raw material prices are increasing globally and higher prices
to James Jones’s annual sawn output?
are reflected in the timber pallet and packaging industry, due to
The acquisition will increase our annual sawn output to 800,000m3 thereby consolidating our position as the
UK’s largest privately owned sawmill, timber engineering and pallet
the impact of COVID, Brexit and wider global material demands etc – how is James Jones & Sons tackling this and maintaining availability and supply across the UK? It has been well documented that timber prices are rising rapidly
manufacturing company. “We are delighted to have concluded this transaction,” says Tom Bruce-Jones, chairman of James Jones & Sons
worldwide. The primary reasons being high demand from USA and
Ltd. “We are really pleased that the existing management team are
China which is diverting Scandinavian and German timber away from
staying on within the enlarged group to provide continuity, facilitate
European markets. The situation in the UK is exacerbated by the decline
the integration and to help realise our long term strategic plans. The
in Irish timber imports due to felling licence difficulties in the Republic
sawn output from both mills will complement our portfolio and will
of Ireland. This difficult situation in timber supply has severely impacted
allow us to offer increased product opportunities for our existing, and
on the UK pallet and packaging manufacturing and repair sector. In
newly expanded, customer base.”
addition to the ‘supply side’ issues, there is very strong demand from the construction and fencing markets which compete for the material
Can you say more about how the Pallet and Packaging Division
required for pallets and packaging. The industry is working effectively
operates across the UK – James Jones & Sons manufactures
through its industry associations (TIMCON in UK and FEFPEB in Europe)
pallets and packaging as well as inspects and repairs – how
to communicate to clients the severe impact of this unprecedented
does that work and what is involved?
situation (timber represents an average over 70% of the cost of new
We have 16 Pallet & Packaging sites across the UK. Our pallet and packaging operations have progressively expanded over recent years
pallets). The industry has also to contend with rapidly increasing steel price increases, along with the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit.
through organic growth and acquisition and today we work closely with all the major UK pallet pools CHEP, LPR, IPP and EPAL. Through our
Can you explain what the Upall ‘innovative pallet’ is and how it
continued investment in automated technology we can offer customers
protects pallets and extends lifespan? Upall protects the most frequently damaged areas of pallets.
access to the most advanced pallet manufacturing and repair facilities in the UK, a national distribution network and a complete range of
Robust guards are attached to new, high quality and kiln-dried
pallet and specialist timber packaging solutions.
wooden Euro pallets, ensuring maximum protection from impact,
Timber Trader UK Magazine
Spring 2021
24
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