Supplying Timber Issue 9 0 - Autumn 2025 - Flipbook - Page 44
———— MEMBER PROFILE ————
be experiencing in the next 30
years. “Forestry is a long-term
game,” says James. “We’re
planting now for a future where
climate, customer needs and
the supply chain will all look very
di昀昀erent.”
STOCKING TIMBER
Smart, e昀케cient logistics
Logistics is another key area
of evolution, with plans well
underway to establish a new
inland rail terminal at the
company’s Carlisle site. The
move would create a vital
connection between Fort
William and the rest of the UK,
reducing its reliance on road
haulage.
“There’s no inland rail
terminal between Glasgow and
Manchester,” explains James.
“Carlisle is perfectly located,
right next to the main line, and
planning permission has been
approved.
"It’s a project that could really
reshape how timber moves
around the country, taking a lot
of lorries o昀昀 the road.”
Another area of focus has
been improving how young trees
are transported from nursery
to planting site, with BSW
trialling a cool chain delivery
system to protect sapling health
during transit. “To give trees
the best possible chance of
establishing strong roots, they
need to be kept at or below
four degrees Celsius,” explains
James. “That’s achievable in a
nursery, but once they’re on a
lorry in the middle of summer,
the temperature can hit 20 to 30
degrees or more.”
BSW’s new approach uses
refrigerated vehicles to
maintain optimal temperatures
during delivery, helping
ensure successful planting
and reducing the risk of costly
replanting later. “Getting them
to site in good condition is
crucial. We’ve invested in
refrigerated transport and
specialist o昀昀-road forklifts to
make sure we do this safely and
sustainably,” James adds.
Across its 昀氀eet, harvesting
equipment, and warehousing,
BSW is also making major
capital investments – not just
for performance, but to attract
top-tier contractors and reduce
the company’s overall carbon
footprint. “All our harvesters and
forwarders are now under 昀椀ve
years old. If we want to lead the
industry, we’ve got to operate
like it,” James says.
Timber products
for new markets
BSW is well-known in the UK for
its structural, carcassing and
fencing timber, supplying the
builders’ merchant, landscaping
and DIY markets. But under
the binderholz umbrella, BSW
Timber is also now expanding
into engineered timber and
added-value products.
New o昀昀erings include
cross-laminated timber (CLT)
and glulam for commercial
construction, alongside smaller-
↓
Image: © BSW.
The company is
now expanding into
engineered timber
and added value
products.
SUPPLYING TIMBER
44
AUTUMN 2025
