Mersey Timber puts down roots with new site

6th May 2013

A Merseyside-based chipboard supplier is branching out after acquiring new Bootle premises in a deal funded by Yorkshire Bank. 

Mersey Timber will merge operations at three existing sites to the new facility in Bridle Way during a phased relocation that will significantly boost efficiency and production capacity.

The new premises, which feature a 48,000 sq ft warehouse and a 20,000 sq ft storage yard, offer a 25 per cent increase in space available to the family-run firm, which has an annual turnover of £3m and employs 33 people.

Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking centre in Liverpool provided a £370,000 finance package to enable Mersey Timber to acquire the premises.

The firm expects to increase turnover and staff numbers in the medium term, thanks to the extra capacity afforded by its move to new premises.

Terry Stephens, managing director of Mersey Timber, said: “This is a fantastic move for the business which provides us with larger, brighter and more sustainable premises. The first wave of staff has already moved in with the intention being that the site is fully operational by January 2014. Having all the staff in the same place will give everyone a lift and will help us take the business to the next level.”

Mike Scott, relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private centre in Liverpool, said: “Under Terry’s stewardship, the company has expanded steadily over a number of years and this move will provide a huge boost to the company. It was at a point where to continue growing it needed to boost capacity and eradicate the inefficiencies of being based across multiple sites.”

As well as moving over existing machinery, Mersey Timber has invested in new plant, including new edge banders and beam saws. It is also installing a new heating system under the Renewable Heat Incentive which will see all timber off-cuts being used to heat the building, rather than going to landfill.

Mersey Timber was established in 1919. Terry Stephens purchased the business from the Glassman family in 1983. The firm currently operates from a 30,000 sq ft head office in Kirkby, where there is also a second processing plant, in addition to a storage warehouse in Bootle.

The company manufactures PVC-edged doors for bedroom and kitchens and also produces its own range of cut and edged melamine faced chipboard, processing more than ten thousand pieces per week. It also carries a large range of sheet materials, worktops, handles and vinyl wrapped doors which it distributes throughout the UK.