Supplying Timber Issue 9 0 - Autumn 2025 - Flipbook - Page 35
species and can provide
anything from a single board to
a full lorry load from their 10acre site in Warwickshire.
Image: Sykes Timber
imports from across
the globe, including
Africa, North and
South America,
Europe and Asia.
↓
Global imports
Sourcing is a major part of the
business, and it’s one where
Sykes Timber takes a direct and
detailed approach. Timber is
sourced from across the globe,
including Africa, North and
South America, Europe, Asia
and, increasingly, from the UK.
Joe points out that the tropical
hardwoods in particular have
excellent performance qualities.
“Tropical hardwoods often get
criticised, but the reality is they
o昀昀er qualities other timbers
simply can’t match,” he explains.
“That doesn’t mean we should
rely solely on tropical species,
but they remain an integral
part of the timber market.
Forestry practices are far more
developed in tropical regions
than one might think.”
Sykes Timber holds FSC and
PEFC certi昀椀cations but doesn’t
rely on these alone. “We’re big
believers in doing our own due
diligence,” says Joe. “We visit
plantations, forests, and mills
ourselves to see 昀椀rst-hand how
suppliers operate, ensuring
that we’re not just sourcing
sustainable timber, but quality
timber too.”
Many of the company’s
relationships with their suppliers
go back decades and have
resulted in unique speci昀椀cations.
“Our long history has meant
SUPPLYING TIMBER
35
AUTUMN 2025
longstanding exclusive
relationships across the globe.
Mills are producing a ‘Sykes
Grade’ that supersedes the
grades on the common market,”
Joe explains. “We carry out
rigorous quality checks because
that’s what our reputation is
built on.”
That reputation sees Sykes
Timber supplying material for
a wide variety of applications,
from high-end joinery and
furniture making to historic
restorations and newbuild
projects. “We’re involved in a lot
of restoration work, supplying
timber for some of the most
beautiful historic buildings and
boats in our country. But we’re
just as excited about the
new work, the kitchens,
STOCKING TIMBER
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