The port of Ipswich is a classic example of ABP‘s strategy to develop an existing facility, in order to benefit shareholders by improving volumes and gain market share, while improving the port for users – and that includes a significant number of timber businesses.

The port, which was taken over by ABP in 1997, operates on both sides of the river Orwell. Recent agreements have given the company the opportunity to release some of the old dock area that is in the town, as a swap for over 14 acres of land that will extend the Cliff Quay on the eastern side of the river. When this is added to the development of a further 14 acres at the West Bank site, Ipswich will be able to handle the ever-growing volumes of business running through the port every year.

Ongoing investment

Port manager Robert Smith described the port’s activities. “When ABP took over it was handling around 1.9 million tonnes,” he said. “There had been an exodus of various types of freight and the long-term under-investment was generally holding business back. Today we handle over 3.4 million tonnes and our ongoing investment strategy should ensure that this growth continues. We’ve spent over £20m to date and there’s plenty more to come, which is good news for existing port users as well as those thinking of operating from here.”

Ipswich handles a wide range of products, including agribulks, fertilisers, aggregates and a ferry service, but timber is an important and growing part of this mix, as Mr Smith explained: “In 1999 we installed a timber treatment facility on the West Bank site and this was converted over to the Tanalith E, non-CCA system in late 2002. Now that it has settled down we’re operating five charges per day, giving customers a short lead time.”

The trade has a long history of using docks as a holding area but, as Mr Smith said: “Thankfully we don’t have any complaints on this matter, as we have good controls in place and the port users work well with us. There is constant pressure on space, especially now that the ferry service is producing more container business, but when we’ve completed the West Bank extension, there will be a huge new timber storage area.”

Alan Mason is the sales manager for ABP Ipswich and, having worked in the port for almost all his career, he has seen the ups and downs. “Obviously people could think that I’m biased on this point, but ABP has been the best thing that happened to Ipswich. It’s been good for both parties, mainly because ABP has the money to invest and it really knows the business.”

Range of facilities

“We’ve got around 200 acres on shore, offering a superb range of facilities for all manner of goods. We can take vessels up to 155m in length, with a draft of up to 8.4m, which makes us of interest to a very wide range of shipping. Ipswich is a Statutory Port and in ABP’s portfolio we’re part of the Short Sea Ports group and probably its largest member.”

The West Bank area handles virtually all of the timber cargoes and, with its 3,000m2 shed, together with extensive paved and hard standing areas, provides a great facility for all manner of timber business. “The treatment plant is also based here,” Mr Mason explained, “so that all timber products can be loaded up, as a mixed range and they can be on the A14 within five minutes.” This easy access for timber is one of the great bonuses of operating from the West Bank, which saves haulage through the town ring roads and makes considerable time savings.

In the wet dock area, which stands at the north end of the port, existing site owners have ‘Frontagers’ rights to operate their own unloading. Anglo Norden Ltd, one of the largest privately owned timber importers, has a Frontager facility, which covers most of its requirements, as director Anders Wedel explained: “With our vessels coming in every two weeks we sometimes need to use ABP craneage and obviously we have tonnage dues to clear with them. This relationship works well.”

Bill Rees & Co Ltd operates almost exclusively from Ipswich, using the huge covered Shed 10 area for stocks of joinery grade timber, as well as a brokerage service. “We moved up in July 1998 and with the Halmstad liner service we’re able to offer a wide range of products to our customers,” said managing director Bill Rees. “Ipswich is becoming a timber centre, with preservation and knowledgeable hauliers, so that it’s easier for us to deliver small loads efficiently. Nowadays, there’s a demand for one pack to Timbuktu on Tuesday and while we’d all prefer large loads, we have to give the customer what he wants.”

John Grave, joint managing director of timber importer KDM International plc, confirmed Ipswich’s service. “It’s an important and integral part of our handling, storage and distribution for fencing, carcassing and pallet business.”

Positive partnership

Andrew Auld, of Northern Wood terminals, also confirmed the positive partnership with ABP. “We’ve had a good long relationship with ABP, which has often had lots of temptations to come away from timber, but it’s stuck with it. Now, with such easy access to the A14, it’s a good place to be for our business of fencing and structural timbers, from the Baltic and Sweden.

Ridgeons is now one of the largest independent merchants in the UK, offering a wide range of timber and building material products throughout East Anglia. Graham Skillen is responsible for purchasing its entire timber range: “There’s been a long-standing link with Ipswich, as it fits in so well geographically for us. In the past few years, as Ridgeons has grown into a major regional player, we’ve increased our throughput from Ipswich and now bring in substantial quantities on a regular basis. We’ve always found ABP to have a very professional approach and are pleased with the service.”

Brian Griffiths from West Bank Timber gave a fitting end to these opinions, especially as the company name reflects the port itself. “We’re bringing in many thousands of cubic metres of timber, mainly from Latvia and Lithuania and have nothing but praise for ABP’s efforts at Ipswich. The treatment facility is excellent and, as the majority of our material goes for agricultural and fencing products, it has been a tremendous benefit to us.’