Premier Forest Products has set a £200m revenue target following what the company describes as a landmark year of strategic growth that has transformed it into one of the UK's largest independent timber and timber processing groups.
The company distributes timber, sheet materials, and allied building products to the construction sector. Its growth over the past year has been driven by acquisitions, extending both its geographic reach and its processing capacity.
What this means for the supply chain
Timber supply chain stability has been a persistent concern in UK construction since the disruption of 2020 to 2022, when global shipping delays, North American lumber price spikes, and post-pandemic demand surges created significant shortages and price volatility. While conditions have stabilised since that period, builder and contractor confidence in timber supply remains sensitive to supplier capacity.
A larger, better-capitalised independent timber group with expanded processing capacity is a broadly positive development for the sector. A single supplier growing through acquisitions can mean better distribution coverage, more consistent stock availability, and processing capability (cutting to length and specification) that reduces waste and handling time on site.
The risk side is any reduction in market competition as independent processors consolidate. However, Premier Forest Products' focus on the independent sector places it outside the very large merchant groups that dominate national timber distribution.
Timber in context for UK construction
The 2020 to 2022 timber shortages exposed how dependent UK construction is on a small number of supply routes. OSB board, structural C16 and C24 timber, and engineered joists are the materials most commonly cited as having been supply-constrained. Understanding which suppliers are growing capacity in these categories is useful for any builder or contractor who plans material volumes in advance.