Managing director Tom Compton said the Sussex-based company needed to install new dust extraction equipment in any event.
"It was something we had to do, but the AIA increase made it much more affordable," he said.
The allowance hike, he added, provided a "fantastic opportunity for timber companies to invest in processing equipment" and English Woodlands additionally took advantage by installing associated briquetting equipment with the dust extraction system, both from Air Plants, and a PV panel array, which was installed on the roof of the kilning shed.
The new equipment, he added, was already benefiting the business.
"The dust extraction system increases the capacity of our Weinig moulder and the briquetter reduces waste handling costs and converts it to a product we can sell," he said.
"The new extractor also impressed our insurers, as it reduces our exposure to hardwood dust, and they’ve reduced our risk rating."
The PV panels are paying their way too. "It was a great summer for sun, and we estimate they will cut our electricity cost by 30-40% a year, as well as providing a hedge against price rises via the Feed-in Tariff."
English Woodlands’ investment was funded by asset finance from Lombard, which proved a straightforward arrangement. "If, as a medium-sized business, we’d gone to our bank for a loan, we’d have had no end of stress, providing security and so on," said Mr Compton. "But doing it through asset finance was remarkably easy."
