Arbor Forest – “We don’t cut corners”
Arbor Forest Products is a family-owned business with roots dating back approximately 150 years. Over the last 70 years, they have grown from humble beginnings to become one of the largest independent timber importers and processors in the UK.
We were recently lucky to visit the business and catch up with Gwyn Tuxford, Head of Manufacturing (of Arbor Edge, part of the Arbor Forest Products) to find out more about this successful business and what it takes to be on the leading edge of importing and processing timber in the UK.
ARBOR – A DRIVING FORCE IN TIMBER PROCESSING
The current 90-acre site, based in New Holland, was established by the father of the current owners, Andrew and Nick Howard, who demonstrated significant foresight by purchasing old railway sidings in the 1970s.
The company offices, referred to as “The Castle”, are now located in the original terminal for the ferry crossing that pre-dated the Humber Bridge. The site was purchased over 50 years ago to help in the first step of growth for the business, enabling it to increase the stock holding of timber.
We started back then to import timber from Sweden to have a consistent supply to our customers. We started manufacturing softwood to ensure quality products, and our customers wanted us to supply manufactured products as well as the raw material.
In the 2000’s, we started extending our product lines and began manufacturing MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard), providing a complete multi-product offering. Continual investment and a clear focus on customer centric processes allowed us to eliminate minimum order requirements by delivering all our products on one vehicle – the revolutionary “Warehouse on Wheels” service.
Despite our extensive portfolio of products, the business is divided into two primary manufacturing “paths”: Arbor Mill, a sawmill and a moulding department, which is known as Arbor Edge.
- The Sawmill – imports and processes softwood, primarily sourced from the Baltic states and offers bespoke milling solutions as well as machined timber for construction, structural and landscaping and composite decking. Through continual investment, the mill is capable of processing over 200,000 m3 of timber every year. The treatment plants use the most advanced control technology to high-pressure treat fencing, timber decking and construction timber to the highest standards.
- MDF Mouldings – This department focuses on architectural products such as skirting boards, architraves, door casings, and linings. The raw MDF is sourced from specialised mills in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Belgium. This part of the business is known as Arbor Edge.
A core philosophy of the company is that “We don’t cut corners”, and our products have a superior finish due to rigorous preparation, including a recent £500,000 investment in advanced sanding machinery used to improve the finish on all our MDF moulded products.
MARKET STRATEGY: THE “WAREHOUSE ON WHEELS”
Arbor occupies a specific niche by focusing on B2B relationships rather than national retail contracts. Our primary customers are independent builders’ merchants and we carry between 500 – 600 different product lines. This massive stock allows us to fulfil our “Warehouse on Wheels” service with a dedicated team working around the clock, covering planning, logistics, loading and driving. It’s as if we bring our warehouse to the customer, cutting out the inconvenience, cost and environmental impact of multiple deliveries and delivering any products anywhere in the UK within 48 hours.
SUSTAINABILITY & CIRCULAR INNOVATION
We are at the forefront of environmental issues in the timber industry, operating strict due diligence procedures to meet industry standards and to achieve our own stringent internal targets. We were one of the first in the UK to achieve full chain of custody certification for both FSC® (FSC-C013579) (Forest Stewardship Council®) and PEFC (PEFC/16-37-009) (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), enabling us to purchase, import and supply customers with certified timber.
We focus on the Arbor site too, having installed a biomass plant on site to recycle waste and provide an environmentally efficient heat source for the plant. We’re active in our local community, supporting initiatives like a new village community centre and sponsoring local sports teams.
Arbor has implemented sophisticated systems to handle manufacturing by-products, turning waste into revenue, which include:
- Wood & Slumber – The overall facility produces 150 tons of wood dust and shavings per week. Following a multi-million-pound investment in an in-house bailing plant, this waste is now converted into premium horse bedding under its “Wood & Slumber” brand, which offers pine and spruce shavings from responsibly managed forests. The quality is high enough to be exported to Dubai for elite racehorses.
- Paint Flocculation – To manage paint wastewater, Gwyn introduced a “flocculation” process using a specialised chemical powder. This process separates the paint solids from water, allowing the water to be recycled for cleaning again and saving each time over 30% of water usage. This system has significantly reduced the cost of waste disposal and overall water usage.
- Renewable Energy – The company recently installed £2 million worth of solar panels and is working to utilise wood waste in a biomass system for onsite heating.
WITHAM COLLABORATION
Arbor has traditionally diversified its supplies so as not to put all its eggs in one basket, but after years of testing, Witham Group moved from a 25% share to providing 100% of their water based paint supply. This relationship was built over years of demonstrating that the Witham products were of the quality we needed, along with trusting the supplier service we require. Gwyn values the local service, which mitigates the supply chain risks associated with overseas timber and paint providers.
Dave Lagden, Witham Group’s Specialist Paint Technician, worked with Gwyn to fine tune the paint product and ensure it has properties that don’t leave a sticky residue and has anti-fungal qualities to protect it whilst it’s wrapped in plastic for delivery. The finish has to be second to none, and we are pleased with the quality of paint products we receive from Witham Group. We also use some oils and lubricants in the workshop for our own fleet of lorries and machinery.
A CUT ABOVE THE REST
Despite heavy competition from local neighbours like Wren Kitchens, Arbor boasts an 80% retention rate for employees with over 10 years of service. Gwyn attributes this to “good management” and a clean, brightly lit, and safe modern factory environment.
Quality products and quality processes are what drive our passion, but people are central to everything we do, and it’s thanks to our loyal workforce that we’ve built a strong and successful business. The Arbor team enjoy a small company culture operating at a giant scale.
At Arbor, we’re committed to both personal and professional development – that’s why many of our colleagues have stayed with us for decades, building their knowledge and expertise as part of a journey of growth. The site manages massive throughput, dispatching approximately 50 lorry loads per day.
Quality products and quality processes are what drive our passion
CARVING OUT THE FUTURE
Looking toward 2027 and beyond, the company is focused on scaling its capacity through its planned £10 million expansion to add an additional production line and concrete more of the site for increased storage capacity. We are also closely monitoring the integration of robotics in the industry, having already successfully implemented robotic technology in our bailing plant. One thing is certain, however, we will keep good people at the heart of our business and ensure that we adapt as we grow to our ever demanding markets and customers, remaining a sustainable and responsible supplier.
We’re always looking for ways to save our customers time and money from product development and I guess that’s exactly what we will continue to do.
For more information about Arbor Forest Products Ltd, please visit arborforestproducts.co.uk
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