Timber acquisition

National Timber Group has acquired Cotswold Manufacturing, in a bid to consolidate its position as an industry leader in the UK timber interior door-set market.

Established in 2005, Cotswold Manufacturing is a specialist manufacturer of timber fire and acoustic doors, doorsets, door kits and screens for the commercial, residential, education and leisure markets.

Having invested heavily in leading edge CNC technology, lamination and priming lines, Cotswold Manufacturing has the ability to produce a full range of fully finished doors and doorsets from an 80,000ft2 facility in Thornaby, near Stockton-on-Tees.

This acquisition offers National Timber Group the strategic opportunity to increase its manufacturing capacity to the benefit of existing and new customers of its joinery products, the company said. It will be equipped to respond to growing demand, driven by the increased focus on regulatory compliance and the comprehensive fire door retrofitting programme.

Ken Napper, the current owner of Cotswold Manufacturing will continue to lead the business reporting to Rob Barclay, chief executive of National Timber Group, and the business will continue to operate from the Thornaby site.

“We have many values in common and share an ambition to be the leading manufacturer of high quality timber doorsets in the UK,” Rob said.“Cotswold Manufacturing is an innovative, well-invested company so this transaction is highly complementary and allows us to expand our business to the benefit of our customers, as well as creating more employment opportunities in Teesside.”

Ken said:“The alignment of our goals, values and vision, offers significant benefits for both companies. I am delighted that we have been able to secure jobs and career development opportunities for 45 people at Thornaby and look forward to growing this business with the support of the National Timber Group.”