Leading independent Durham-based timber product producer Taylormade has acquired the complementary business of Kerr Timber Products, Annan, for an undisclosed sum.

In addition to adding some 25,000 cubic metres of production a year to the 90,000 emerging from Taylormade’s Sherburn Hill sawmill, the Dumfriesshire acquisition safeguards 25 jobs at Kerr’s and creates a total pay-roll of 120.

Taylormade managing director Doug Wentworth was advised on the deal by Tim Edwards, of McInnes Corporate Finance, who also handled his original purchase of Taylormade, in 1995. Funding for the Kerr acquisition was provided by Lloyds TSB Corporate, Newcastle.

One of the few successful wholly independent sawmill operators in the industry, Taylormade has increased production by 500% at Sherburn Hill through substantial investment in modern equipment. With no waste product whatsoever arising from the production process, the firm converts 185,000 tons of round logs into fencing, pallets and packaging timber, wood chips, sawdust and bark products. All of the logs are sourced from well-managed British forests.

Doug Wentworth commented: “We’re proud of our production efficiency and growth record and the fact that we deal only with responsibly managed forestry undertakings. The Kerr family was running a profitable, but smaller operation along similar lines to our own and the deal makes a comfortable fit, adding substantially to our organic growth.”

Tim Edwards added: “Taylormade has created a strong track record in growing output while operating an admirable environmental policy. The acquisition of the Kerr business is a sound strategic move, increasing capacity, while safeguarding jobs in Annan.”

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