About Us
Our aim is to build the UK’s leading provider of sustainable timber solutions.
The National Timber Group is primarily engaged in timber importing and the manufacture and merchanting of timber and related products.
The National Timber Group serves a diverse and varied customer base including joiners, regional house builders, commercial companies and infrastructure projects. As a specialist supplier of timber, sheet and joinery products, with substantial warehousing, processing and distribution capabilities, the group is able to provide a broad range of high quality products on short lead times, supported by comprehensive knowledge and expertise.
Click here to see the range of products on offer from National Timber Group companies – its all under one roof >>
Our History
In November 2017 Cairngorm Capital acquired Thornbridge, a leading Scottish timber merchant. Three further proprietary investments over the following 12 months have created the largest independent added value timber distribution and processing group in the UK with full nationwide coverage, led by a management team with deep industry expertise. On completion of the fourth acquisition, Arnold Laver in November 2018, a new umbrella brand for the group was created, National Timber Group. With extensive warehousing, processing and distribution capabilities the Group can provide customers across the UK with a full range of the highest quality timber, panel, decorative surfaces and engineered wood products supported by comprehensive timber knowledge and expertise. The Group has a combined turnover of over £350 million, over 1,350 employees and 60 processing and distribution sites from the North of Scotland to London and the South West.
Arnold Laver Open New Branch
To further extend our nationwide coverage as the timber specialists, Arnold Laver opened a new branch in Cheltenham.
Acquisition of NORclad
We are pleased to announce that NORclad has become the latest specialist timber products business to join National Timber Group (NTG). This is the most recent in a series of acquisitions to further strengthen the Group’s position as the UK’s largest, independent, specialist timber processing and distribution group with a focus on value-added products.
Acquisition of SV Timber Ltd
Established in 2004, SV Timber Ltd is an independent timber merchant supplying an extensive range of timber materials to a broad range of trade and commercial customers, including joiners and manufacturers, from three Branches across the Midlands. SV Timber Ltd has a strong reputation for outstanding service and quality and recently supplied timber for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. SV Timber employs 50 people and, in 2021, achieved revenues of £17m. NTG looks forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the Group.
Orchard Timber Products Joins National Timber Group
Orchard Timber Products Limited (Orchard Timber) has joined National Timber Group. Orchard Timber, established in 2004, is a specialist distributor of timber, sheet materials, kitchens, doors, wood flooring and decking, supplying a range of local housebuilders, contractors, and RMI-focused joiners. Orchard Timber joins NTG’s Scottish division and will continue to trade under its successful trading name and brand.
New Thornbridge Edinburgh Hawkhill Branch Opens
We’ve moved to a great location, just around the corner from our old Iona Street branch, to Hawkhill Avenue. Our customers will be dealing with the same great people and we are fully-stocked for all your timber requirements.
New Thornbridge Edinburgh Loanhead Branch Opens
Edinburgh Loanhead is a newly built 13,000 sq.ft warehouse on the Pentland trade park. We are confident that this new branch will help to improve our customer proposition and enhance our reputation as the number one supplier for timber and timber-based products within the Edinburgh region.
National Timber Group Goes Live With Timberworld Site
The National Timber Group has launched an award-winning eCommerce solution within 16 weeks after signing a contract.
The Timberworld launch follows a year when merchants have rushed to improve their eCommerce capability and customer experience to maximise sales as the country emerges from lockdown.
Hymor Timber Ltd Becomes Part of National Timber Group
In May 2021, Hymor Timber became a member of NTG. Established in 1990, Hymor is an independent timber merchant supplying ethically sourced hardwood and softwood to a broad range of trade and commercial customers, including joiners and manufacturers across Staffordshire and the surrounding area. The company has a strength in hardwoods and modified timber, which combined with its extensive processing capability and expertise in meeting bespoke client requirements, has resulted in a reputation for outstanding service and quality.
Hymor employs 28 plus employees.
Acquisition of Cotswold Manufacturing
Arnold Laver completed the acquisition of the assets of Cotswold Manufacturing and has begun integrating the 80,000 sq ft manufacturing plant based at Thornaby, near Stockton-on-Tees. The business will be branded as Arnold Laver and will form part of the company’s ‘Intelligent Door Solutions Division’.
Arnold Laver Opens Peterborough Branch
In November we opened our new Peterborough branch.
Acquisition of Arnold Laver
In November, Arnold Laver in England was also added to the NTG portfolio of companies. Established in 1920 and headquartered in Sheffield, Arnold Laver is a venerable brand in the importation, processing and distribution of timber, panel, decorative surfaces and joinery products across the UK. Customers include blue chip construction companies and it is a favoured supplier to large-scale infrastructure products such as the 2012 Olympics, Hinkley Point and HS2.
16 depots, 1 National Production Centre, 750 plus employees.
Acquisition of Rembrand
In June of the same year, Rembrand was the next Scottish based company to join NTG. Established in 1982, Rembrand is an importer, processor and distributor of timber and panel products in Scotland.
15 branches and 280 plus employees. This business also included Glow, as specialist supplier of insulation products, as well as Scotia Roofing & Building Supplies, a regional distributer of premium tiles, slates and heavyside materials.
Acquisition of NYTimber
In Feb 2018, NYTimber became a member of the NTG. Established in 1979, NYTimber is a leading independent timber merchant in North Yorkshire and the North East of England. Specialist roof solutions division which designs and fabricates roof trusses, spandrel panels and the industry-leading NTSROOF insulated roof cassette system.
3 branches, 1 hub, circa 200 employees.
Thornbridge Joins NTG
In November 2017 Cairngorm Capital acquired Thornbridge Sawmills. Established in 1992, Thornbridge is a leading Scottish timber merchant selling timber, sheet and joinery products to builders, joiners, regional housebuilders and contractors.
11 branches, 1 hub, 160 plus employees.
National Timber Group Leadership Team
Emma Cunningham – Interim CEO
Emma is a Chartered Management Accountant and a qualified Lean Sigma Black Belt with more than 20 years’ experience in the manufacturing and engineering industries across various sectors.
She has proven success in building high-performing teams to drive operational excellence. Emma was previously Managing Director of the Compressors Division of Howden, a global provider of technology and engineering solutions. She also served as Interim Group COO responsible for global operations, supply chain and continuous improvement.
Prior to this, Emma spent 13 years in senior roles with Aggreko PLC in Transformational Change, Operational Excellence, Procurement and Finance.
Dan Scott – Group Chief Financial Officer
Dan has over 16 years of experience in senior finance roles within the building materials and distribution sectors, across both PLCs and private equity. He joined National Timber Group in 2020 and has held several key positions including Group FP&A Manager and Group Finance Director. Dan was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer in January 2025.
Before joining National Timber Group, Dan was a member of the senior management team at SIG plc, a pan-European provider of specialist building products, where he worked for 12 years. His roles included Group Head of Management Reporting, UK & Ireland Financial Controller and Director of Planning & Performance.
Dan is a qualified Chartered Accountant and began his career with Deloitte.
John Rush – Chief Operating Officer
As the Chief Operating Officer, John leads on the execution of the company-wide strategy, focusing on best practice through employee engagement, developing a safety-first culture, and introducing operational excellence throughout the business.
John has a wealth of experience as a training and development specialist. He has lead the delivery of business transformations in both private and public sector organisations, in domestic and international settings. As well as running his own consultancy business, he has worked for leading companies including Motorola, Direct Line Group, RBS, Dover Precision Components and Tarmac.
As a qualified lecturer in Further Education, and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, he is one of only a few individuals accredited by the SQA (Scottish Qualification Authority) to deliver workplace training in Lean Manufacturing to Higher National level.
John’s background is predominately in Manufacturing, Precision Engineering, Electronics and Steel making. His area of expertise has been operations management, with a focus on process improvement and people development.
John joined National Timber Group in early 2024, after completing some initial consultation work for the Company.
Ed Holder – Managing Director NTG England
Ed is the Managing Director of National Timber Group, England – Carrying a wealth of 30 years of expertise in the timber industry, Ed has a strong history of delivering significant business growth. Throughout his career, Ed has played a pivotal role in building and expanding companies. Having established SV Timber Ltd in 2004, there are now three prospering SV Timber branches in the East Midlands employing 60+ staff.
Following SV Timber’s integration into the NTG England branch network, Ed remained actively involved in shaping the business and focused on the wider network of branches at a strategic level. Ed is a highly pragmatic individual and a true expert in his field, mastering skills in leadership, supply chain, sales and logistics. Ed is fully committed to propelling National Timber Group forward, leveraging our immense potential for growth and success.
Nick Kershaw – Managing Director National Timber Systems
Nick has more than 25 years’ experience in the timber industry across merchanting and manufacturing. He is Managing Director of National Timber Systems, the specialist timber engineering division of NTG.
Previously, Nick held senior positions at NYTimber, where he was Sales and Marketing Director for nine years. In 2009 he was appointed Managing Director, at which point he set about creating a new engineered timber business from scratch and with limited investment. This specialist manufacturer has gone from strength to strength, building a strong reputation in the sector and introducing new and innovative products such as the NTSROOF panelised cassette roof system.
In 2018, when NYTimber joined National Timber Group, Nick was asked to take on a wider Group role with responsibility for leading and developing the timber engineering division.
Grant Wilson – Managing Director NTG Scotland
Grant joined National Timber Group Scotland as Managing Director in early 2024. He has 41 years of hands-on experience at all levels in Timber Merchanting.
Grant takes great pride in the fact that his career started in a Timber yard, moving on to various positions across the Branch, before taking his first role as a Branch Manager, at the age of 23.
During his career he has managed several Merchant Branches and has a wealth of knowledge in the timber sector with financial, commercial, operational and supply chain experience.
Prior to joining National Timber Group, he had a long and successful career at MGM Timber Scotland, latterly as their Business Development Director.
Documentation
Contact
Registered Office: Bramall Lane
Sheffield,
South Yorkshire,
S2 4RJ
Company Reg Number: 10887323
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