A new veneering sister company to County Joinery (South East) Ltd has been officially opened by British Woodworking Federation chief executive Richard Lambert.
County Veneering, which has opened in a new building adjacent to County Joinery’s Battle factory, has been started to meet increasing demand for veneering work.
Around £250,000 has been invested in a 10-year lease and machinery, including a press, edgebander, guillotine, stitcher and sander.
“It is a positive step that gives us a valuable edge in a competitive market,” said County Joinery managing director Roger Hodsoll.
“County Joinery has been a Battle-based business since 1996 and we remain committed to the town, creating employment and economic growth.”
The new operation is expected to attract interest from builders, architects and property developers, taking on business direct, as well as fufilling orders for County Joinery.
Finance director Chris Addison said the joinery company had previously sub-contracted out veneering work, but decided to take the work in-house because of increasing demand for the product and lack of availability of sub-contractors.
He said the company had lost work after a veneering sub-contractor let it down on a contract.
Mr Addison said County Joinery was in good health, with a forward order book of up to £700,000, expected 2008 turnover of about £1.4m and prestigious contracts such as a Grand Designs project in Headcorn, Kent.
“We have not noticed any downturn in the factory since Christmas. We have record orders,” he said.
Country Veneering was opened on June 3 as part of an open day for invited guests and customers.
