BSW Group has made several investments throughout the organisation during 2024, alongside key strides forward in its sustainability practices that set the business in good stead for 2025, the company says.
Investing in production processes
In December, BSW announced that it will be investing significantly in its BSW Timber Solutions and Bayram Timber sites in Melton, near Hull, where it will be expanding production operations and enhancing IT infrastructure. Following recent investments in a new automated crosscutting line, BSW is now expanding into a third Melton site, where a new 100,000m3 capacity per annum treatment tank will be located. The investment into this additional site, along with improvements to its IT operating platforms, will create a significantly enhanced offering for BSW’s existing and potential customer base.
As a fully integrated business, BSW is able to introduce efficient products and systems such as Scott Pallets’ pressboard product, launched last year. This minimises waste by using sawdust and recycled wood chips, with the lightweight, stackable pallets are being space-efficient and environmentally friendly. They are now in use by global brands including Bosch and Siemens, as well as Mowi, a leading global seafood company. A new pallet production line was installed at BSW Timber’s Fort William site to produce pallets specifically for Mowi’s operations, using locally grown timber and significantly reducing transportation needs. This collaborative effort will save an estimated 43 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually – equivalent to 290 miles of transport per load of pallets.
The Pallet LOOP, BSW Group’s circular economy reuse scheme for pallets in the construction sector, has also made impressive progress in its first year. With more than 450,000 of the distinctive green pallets issued and financial incentives of up to £4 per pallet returned, the scheme has already paid out £150,000 to participants and saved businesses up to £800,000 in waste disposal costs.
Forests With Impact Partnership
In 2024 BSW Group announced its partnership with Forests With Impact, a social enterprise establishing commercial tree nurseries in prisons. These nurseries provide vital skills in horticulture, nursery management, and environmental conservation, while contributing to the UK’s biodiversity and tree-planting targets. Maelor Forest Nurseries played a critical role in the initiative by helping to establish the first polytunnel (vital for creating the ideal growing conditions or young plants) at HMP Haverigg, which has already produced 250,000 saplings. The programme’s success has set the stage for large-scale expansion in the coming years.
In 2024 BSW Group announced its partnership with Forests With Impact, a social enterprise establishing commercial tree nurseries in prisons. These nurseries provide vital skills in horticulture, nursery management, and environmental conservation, while contributing to the UK’s biodiversity and tree-planting targets. Maelor Forest Nurseries played a critical role in the initiative by helping to establish the first polytunnel (vital for creating the ideal growing conditions or young plants) at HMP Haverigg, which has already produced 250,000 saplings. The programme’s success has set the stage for large-scale expansion in the coming years.
Improving workplace certification and fleet investment
BSW Timber was awarded ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certifications, joining its existing ISO 9001 standard. These certifications reflect BSW’s dedication to workplace safety, risk reduction, and environmental management. The recognition follows a Gold Award at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Awards, celebrating BSW’s commitment to creating safer working environments.
BSW Timber was awarded ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certifications, joining its existing ISO 9001 standard. These certifications reflect BSW’s dedication to workplace safety, risk reduction, and environmental management. The recognition follows a Gold Award at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Awards, celebrating BSW’s commitment to creating safer working environments.
Tilhill Harvesting (previously known as Dick Brothers) has also seen significant investment in its fleet, now consisting of 84 machines, including harvesters, forwarders, excavators, traction winches and skyline winches. To ensure safety and efficiency, these machines are replenished approximately every 5-6 years. Tilhill Harvesting will also roll out in-house training over 2025 to ensure a continuous supply of expert operators.
Finally, 2024 also saw BSW Timber’s Fort William Sawmill celebrate 50 years of operations. Opened in 1974 by then-Prince Charles, the sawmill employs more than 200 people and processes 500,000m3 of timber annually. Since its opening BSW has continued to invest in the site’s infrastructure, including the construction of a second sawmill in 2013, which doubled the facility’s capacity.
Alan Milne, Chief Financial Officer at BSW Group, said: “We are delighted to be starting the year in such a strong position. We have been able to make the right investments to strengthen our leading position and ensure a bright future for the group. We’re particularly pleased to have integrated a number of subsidiary businesses and welcomed others. We’ll continue to invest in initiatives that give us longevity and stability, while improving sustainability, driving innovation and creating value.”
