FEATURE MERCHANT FOCUS: JAMES LATHAM
Make it a Natural Choice James Latham have been operating for over 260 years with a chain of facilities across the UK, we heard from Stuart Devoil, group head of marketing, about the state of the timber merchant market and what to expect from its diverse product range.
J
ames Latham operate from twelve distribution depots
Market pressures
throughout the UK & Ireland, and a number of other
Global demand for timber products is huge and the sector is being
locations that provide specialist services such as
widely affected by rising raw material prices and lower volumes – how
in-house machining and bulk direct timber supplies.
has Lathams dealt with the ongoing supply and demand issues? “The
As well as timber, the firm also offers a broad range of other
timber industry often has times when it’s difficult to source and import
products such as panels, decorative surfaces, laminates and veneers,
materials,” says Stuart. “This is among the worst periods the industry
alongside ‘advanced materials’ including solid surfaces, technical
has seen, especially when it comes to price volatility. In advance of
panels, acrylics and thermoplastics.
Brexit, Lathams set up a dedicated Supply Chain Team (SCT) which now
The whole business feels like a family. It’s an ethos helped by
sits at 11 people strong. We took the flow of materials seriously and it’s
members of the Lathams family working there, including chairman Nick
paid off. The SCT secured Advanced Economic Operator status for the
Latham, and the genuine pride that the team has in the history and
business. A mark of quality for imports and exports, it means that our
legacy of the business.
goods aren’t facing delays, significantly reducing any negative impacts.” Lathams has a huge range of products on offer to the timber trade
James Latham has: “probably the most comprehensive range of species, sizes and non-standard thicknesses available in the UK today.” What sets the
and since its acquisition of Dresser Mouldings, has seen a huge upturn in
business apart from other merchants? “The size of our depots, the breadth
cladding sales. “While we sell cladding in a wide range of materials, our
of stock we hold and our experienced staff set us apart,” says Stuart. “So
excellent relationship with Accsys Technologies means Accoya remains a firm
does our willingness to listen to customers and innovate to accommodate
favourite,” adds Stuart. “Not just for cladding, but many other joinery and
their needs. Setting up facilities like Lathams Direct Timber (LDT) is a good
landscape-led applications. From a panel perspective, we remain very strong
example. It provides customers with easier access to bulk hardwoods and
in plywood, OSB and MDF, right the way through to speciality products like
softwoods, offering landed stock direct from the port.
Valchromat which is the most requested sample from our website.”
“This means that products are readily available and clearly priced, without the need to worry about shipping and customs requirements.
See the quality for yourself For those interested in knowing more about the Lathams range, they
LDT offers popular varieties from all over the world including Iroko and Sapele (Africa), Cherry, Maple and Red Oak (North America) and
have two dedicated product specification showrooms – in London and
Jelutong, Meranti and Keruing (the Far East).
Manchester respectively – where the trade can get to know the products
Timber Trader UK Magazine
Autumn 2021
34
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