How BSW Group is forging an integrated supply chain to create value and sustain long-term growth
BSW Group is the UK’s largest forestry and timber group, and a member of Binderholz, Europe’s leading timber processing operation. BSW Timber, just one of many subsidiaries that span the timber supply chain, has been a name at the forefront of British timber for over a century. “We’ve grown from a family-owned sawmill under Brownlie ownership, into a major force in the industry,” begins Alan Milne, Chief Financial Officer, “encompassing every stage of the timber process, from tree nurseries and forest management through to sawn timber production and pallet distribution.
“Our partnership with Binderholz has strengthened our position in the market, combining our extensive expertise with Binderholz’s wide network. Together, we’re leading the way in providing high-quality timber products and sustainable solutions, making a positive long-term impact on the British forestry industry.”
Alan continues with more details around the different businesses that comprise the Group, and how their services complement and enhance its core offering. “At BSW Group, we have a unique combination of expertise and services throughout the whole supply chain. Maelor Forest Nurseries specializes in supplying UK-grown trees with superior genetics to ensure a sustainable supply of resilient young trees for reforestation and commercial forestry projects. Tilhill Forestry offers comprehensive forestry management services, including woodland creation, helping landowners maximize the value and sustainability of their forests. Dick Brothers offers expert harvesting capabilities by using state-of-the-art forestry equipment and market-leading technical harvesting services, allowing them to harvest timber in some of the largest and most complex forests and woodlands in the UK,” he shares.
Innovation and growth
“Within the manufacturing arm of the business, BSW Timber is the UK’s largest sawmilling company, with over 170 years of experience. It offers a wide range of sawn timber products for construction, fencing, and landscaping markets, while BSW Timber Solutions focuses on internal and value-added timber products, providing bespoke solutions for various applications. Scott Pallets is the leading manufacturer of new, bespoke, and reconditioned timber pallets, producing over 25 million pallets per year, while The Pallet LOOP is beginning to reduce wood waste by incentivizing the reuse of pallets. These are just a few of the businesses and services within the group. Together, they provide a comprehensive suite of services that support every stage of the timber supply chain, from seedling to finished product, and recycling and reusing.”
Alan shares further details about the recent acquisition of Scott Group: “With its extensive network of sites and expertise in sustainable timber pallet and packaging solutions, the acquisition of Scott Group, which has now reverted to Scott Pallets, positions us well for innovation and growth across the industry. It helps us achieve the best uses for the resource across the BSW Group whilst fully utilizing the logistical firepower of the combined businesses. This strategic move not only broadened our product and service offering but it also allowed us to expand our commitment to the circular economy through pallet recovery, repair, and reuse. We’re already reaping the benefits of this through The Pallet LOOP and products like the pressboard pallet, which was brought to the UK market via parent company Binderholz.”
This takes Alan onto the topic of environmental responsibility. “The use of sawdust and reprocessed, recycled wood chips to produce the likes of heat logs and pressboard pallets is a great example of our commitment across BSW to enhance efficiency through resource optimization. By utilizing co-products from our timber manufacturing businesses to create new products, we are using every part of the raw material available to us. This really underscores the advantages of our unique position as the UK’s largest integrated forestry and timber business, where every step of the supply chain is interconnected.
People and planet
“We’re always on the lookout for ways we can operate more sustainably. Over the last year, we’ve made strides towards our net-zero commitments, including replacing diesel generators with electric models and retrofitting LED lighting to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint.
“Maelor Forest Nurseries is dedicated to enhancing crop quality to promote sustainability and increase the UK timber industry’s self-sufficiency, thereby decreasing our reliance on carbon-intensive imports. A fantastic example of Maelor’s great work is the huge success they’ve seen in their research of ‘somatic embryogenesis’, which involves improving various species.”
This care for the environment incorporates people as well as planet. “BSW Group’s Community Support Committee has also made significant strides since a revamp in March, donating to 49 local causes across the UK,” Alan reveals. “Created to streamline and efficiently manage requests for support that we receive from communities across the UK, the committee has enabled us to provide support for around 80 percent of the requests received in Q2 alone. From sponsoring community events to providing IT equipment for schools and supporting charity hikes, we’re proud to be able to make a real impact on a diverse range of causes.
Championing British timber
“BSW Group is an incredibly vast business in a relatively unique position, as timber itself locks away carbon. This means that by planting trees – over a billion in fact
– and promoting the use of sawn timber products, we are working towards a more sustainable future. All our products are certified by FSC or PEFC, ensuring that all the material we do use is sourced responsibly, while we also work closely with trade bodies, both in timber and the wider construction industry. As a group, we have grown very quickly through acquisition, with each new business in a different position when it comes to mapping its carbon footprint and devising a plan to reduce this. We are currently scrutinizing the carbon data of each business so that it is consistent and can be brought together, giving us one clear direction of travel.”
The business is also excited to be involved with Forests With Impact, an initiative that helps to support rehabilitation of prisoners, providing them with valuable, employable skills, as they firstly create a commercial tree nursery at HMP Haverigg. “This project supports carbon-producing industries in meeting their tree planting, nature recovery, and biodiversity targets, while the income generated will be reinvested into training and community resources for the prison and local community.”
Looking to the future, a key focus across the entire group is to promote the use of British timber throughout the supply chain. Around 80 percent of timber used in the UK is currently imported. “This must change if we are to become more self-sufficient,” Alan explains. “A unified approach not only enhances sustainability by reducing our carbon footprint but also supports the broader timber sector and strengthens the UK economy. By championing British timber, we aim to drive industry-wide improvements and demonstrate our commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
“We’re working towards continued growth and innovation across all our brands – whether in forestry, timber manufacturing or pallets and packaging – with a focus on driving efficiencies that enhance sustainability and reduce our environmental impact,” he concludes. “By advancing our practices and expanding our reach, we strive to set new standards in the industry and reinforce our role as a key driver of positive change within the sector.”