Forest Garden is closing in on throughput targets for its Steven’s Croft sawmill near Lockerbie following the introduction of a two-shift working pattern and installation of a log grading line.
Managing director Michael Timmis confirmed this week: ‘We have been running two shifts since July but we didn’t really gather momentum until the log grading line was commissioned [in mid-August].’
Forest Garden had originally planned to launch a second shift at the end of this year but revised the timing in the light of strong demand. It was decided to install a log grading line at Steven’s Croft to achieve higher round input at the mill – possibly up to 100,000m3 per shift per year.
The next phase of development at Steven’s Croft will involve the introduction of a garden products manufacturing plant, which is set to open several months ahead of schedule in January next year.
Products will include fencing materials, decorative items, garden buildings and decking.
