BSW Timber has revealed plans for a multi-million pound investment programme in its sawmill in Newbridge-on-Wye, Powys.
This is the next phase of BSW’s £4 million investment programme for the mill which started in 2013 – and the current investment phase is set to double existing production capacity.
New investment will include a wide range of specialist state-of-the-art production equipment. This will include a high-speed edging line, a high-tech small log profiling line as well as cross-cut, stacking and handling equipment, complemented by new multi-leads system.
As well as securing existing jobs at the mill, for BSW, the new investment represents a major vote of confidence in the Welsh forestry sector and in the supply of high quality home grown timber from the local market.
It builds on a sustained programme of investment in the sawmill during the last eight years, under the overall guidance of BSW’s Regional Manager Dave Burd which included
£2 million for two Biomass fuelled boilers. The mill now employs 149 staff, making it the largest single site sawmill in Wales.
Welcoming the next phase of the investment, BSW Timber’s chief executive Tony Hackney said: “The increased investment in our Newbridge mill allows us to plan for the future with a strong focus on market needs and requirements, enabling us in turn to invest with confidence.
“As a rural employer, BSW Timber has a critical role to play in maintaining local wealth and employment. We have shown over the last decade that our operation at Newbridge-on-Wye is going from strength to strength, thanks to a rolling programme of continued
investment in plant, people and environmental improvements.
“Thanks to improved efficiencies gained from increased investment, we are now producing more home-grown timber here than ever before, leading to increased sustainable usage in expanding UK markets such as timber frame houses and the repairs, maintenance and improvements sector.
“Increased capacity will mean more shifts and more jobs for the area, allowing us to continue invest in developing the site, reinforcing our pledge to maximise our supply and production of home-grown timber as well as providing exciting new opportunities for the market.
He added: “This increased usage is dependent on there being an appropriate level of woodland expansion across Wales to meet the future needs of our industry and our plans for ongoing investment reinforce the importance of the forestry sector to both local and national economies, creating a positive knock-on effect throughout the supply chain.”
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