Stewart Milne Timber Systems, part of one of the UK’s leading independent construction companies, the Stewart Milne Group, has played its part in the Group delivering record results for the 11th year in succession but they are not resting on their laurels.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems operation supplies over 9,000 houses in the UK annually and turnover in the Scottish operation is already 15% over the previous 12 months.

Changes to the building control regulations combined with cost pressures will facilitate further growth of the timber frame market. According to research by the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), timber frame will represent 30% of the UK market by 2010. Further to an £2m investment in their Aberdeen facility, Stewart Milne Timber Systems are well placed to capitalise on the predicted market growth and have strengthened their management team promoting John Smith from Technical Manager to Technical Director and David Nimmo becomes Commercial Director having previously held the position of Commercial Manager.

Paul Mitchell, Managing Director of Stewart Milne Timber Systems Scotland, said: “We are a very customer focused operation and we are in a market driven by economics and the environment. These promotions are recognition of work already done but are positioned to ensure we can continue to deliver. We have restructured the teams in our set up to ensure technical assistance is maximised and engineered early in the process providing maximum benefits for all concerned.”

Mitchell adds: “We have enjoyed significant growth over the past 5 years but need to keep the momentum going. The economic challenges facing house builders have been well documented and with margins tightening developers are increasingly looking to timber frame construction because of its flexibility and economy. The environment is a much wider issue and one we are addressing with our project house at the Building Research Establishment in Watford where we created the UK’s first near zero carbon house that complies with the 5-star criteria laid down by the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.”

Another example that the timber frame product is breaking new ground is the work done by the company in Peterhead for Tenants First Housing Cooperative.

Gary Yeoman, Sales & Marketing Director for Stewart Milne Timber Systems comments: “The development follows the innovative principles of Modern Methods of Construction which entails a high level of off-site factory-based construction to bring many benefits to both the client and the supplier.”

“Higher levels of fabrication in the factory significantly reduces the site build programme, providing greater efficiency which reduces costs. We are able to produce an advanced panel system that offers better air tightness; a benefit that will provide a well-insulated building, as well as reducing its carbon footprint. The installation for follow-on trades is vastly simplified. We have no delays due to poor weather conditions, and this method offers safety benefits, as there is considerable reduction in movement of materials on site.”

“The system involves closed timber frame wall panels, which are manufactured in the company’s Aberdeen factory, and arrive on site with insulation material, service zones and windows already in place, as well as large format floor panels, which are pre-fitted with chipboard flooring. Many of the roof components of the building are also built in the factory. They are then assembled on the ground, on-site, before being craned into position. Other materials are also pre-loaded into the building during the build process, such as dividing wall partitions, plasterboard, and stair flights.”

According to Stewart Milne Timber Systems the demand for housing continues to outstrip the supply available so the challenge is to deliver houses that will meet the Governments targets over the next 10 years.

19 March 2008