James Jones announces £5m investment at Aboyne mill

The £5m improvement plan includes enhancements to the sawline, control systems, material handling and resaw facilities.

The mill, which opened in 1962 and was rebuilt in 1991, produces a mixed range of sawn timber specification, including carcassing, fencing and pallet wood, with the bulk of the output serving the Scottish market.

The Aboyne site has its own kiln complex; Wolman green and brown high pressure treatment with an incising line for Use Class 4 ground contact fencing and landscaping timber, and also a Protim treatment tank.

James Jones recently took the decision to stop supplying UC3 posts and in future it will only supply UC4. In the case of spruce posts, this means incised.

“Aboyne has been a great asset for James Jones and this significant investment is testament to our confidence in the market and belief in the team running the mill,” said Ian Pirie, joint managing director.

“Once these improvements are complete, towards the back end of 2018, total capacity will increase by about 30%.”