MORAY-based Moore Timber Company has announced a £55,000 expansion project with backing of £27,500 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The small business, which currently employs two people, is expected to double its headcount to four as a result of the investment.
Offering a mobile milling service and selling a range of hardwood and softwood timber in the Elgin area, it sources its timber from larch and Douglas fir – both of which are found locally in abundance. Its ethos are to provide locally sourced timber to local businesses.
The HIE funding will help cover the costs of a new sawmill and installing three-phase electric cabling and power supply to the firm’s premises. This will enable Moore Timber to continue servicing its predominantly Moray customer base, whilst expanding into the Highlands and across the north of Scotland.
As well as creating two new jobs, the improvements will enhance the company’s environmental credentials and boost annual turnover by around £190,000, HIE said.
Steve Richards, senior development manager at HIE’s Moray team, said, “Moore Timber is an ambitious small company looking to grow and create new jobs. At the same time, it’s committed to the low carbon agenda and promoting sustainability. This latest expansion project will help strengthen the company’s position as a valuable local employer and contributor to the wider Moray economy. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to offer support and look forward to continuing to work with the company on its growth journey.”
Moore Timber owner, Benjamin Moore, added, “This investment itself has sped up development incredibly. Being fully electric has enabled us to reduce running costs and diversify our product range. The new sawmill has increased output to the extent that we have now changed our production system to reduce down time, increase the quality of our products and make better use of our storage spaces.
“As a side effect this has reduced the stress on management! Grants had seemed unattainable for little businesses like ours but HIE provided a route to securing investment and we have now taken on one additional full-time member of staff.”
