CHRIS Kane MP has become the latest politician to visit Deeside Timberframe’s Throsk manufacturing facility, touring the expanded site just weeks after MSP Alex Rowley made a similar visit to discuss the role of offsite timber frame construction in tackling the UK housing crisis.
Both visits follow the firm’s recent multi-million-pound investment programme, designed to scale up production and help deliver more ‘high-quality, energy-efficient’ homes across both Scotland and England.
The visits provided an opportunity to showcase how Deeside Timberframe is supporting the delivery of public and private housing at pace — and how recent investments have boosted capacity to meet rising demand.
“We urgently need to build more homes — the UK Government has set an ambitious target of 1.5 million homes over the course of this parliament, and it is companies like Deeside Timberframe that will be vital in achieving it,” said Chris Kane MP. “I’m delighted to see Deeside, based in the constituency, stepping up.
“The scale of their investment and the level of automation they’ve introduced show what’s possible when industry leads the way. While it’s clear that Deeside is rising to meet the demand from England, it’s time for the Scottish Government to look to manufacturers like them to help solve the housing crisis here in Scotland. We need a real plan to build more homes.”
During his visit, the MP asked whether the company could handle a 10% uplift in demand if England ramped up timber frame delivery.
“Absolutely — and that’s exactly why we’ve made this investment,” added MD David Crawford. “We’ve enhanced our manufacturing capacity, brought key processes in-house, and introduced automated lines to increase efficiency and output. Whether the homes are in Manchester or Midlothian, we’re ready to deliver — and support the Labour government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes.”
The discussions also explored how factory-based offsite construction can help ease labour and skills shortages. With fewer trades needed on site, and new opportunities for digital design, precision engineering and apprenticeships, timber frame manufacturing is said to be increasingly seen as a ‘scalable and modern alternative’ to traditional construction methods.
Alex Rowley MSP, who visited earlier in the month, stated, “Companies like Deeside Timberframe are showing what’s possible when we modernise construction and invest in automation. If we’re serious about housing reform, we need pathways between education, training and employers like Deeside who are already helping to bridge the gap.”
With pressure mounting to meet housing targets and net zero commitments, Deeside Timberframe believes timber frame must be a central part of the solution.
“Scotland and England are facing the same challenge,” Crawford added. “We need to build faster, smarter and greener. Timber frame is not only a low-carbon solution — it’s a high-capacity one too.”
