The business, set up nine months ago by Paul Emmett, David Robinson and Martin Kipping, is providing competition for the likes of Jewson, Travis Perkins and James Chambers in the Halifax and Huddersfield area.
“If things carry on as they’re going we could hit a £1.6-1.7m turnover,” said Mr Emmett.
Mr Emmett said all three directors were well-known in the industry locally, having been in the timber trade all their lives. Being in their mid-30s, he said, the three friends had faced either a future of area managership of national merchants or starting a business of their own.
The company made an initial investment of £30,000 in racking and £150,000 on stockholding, including softwood, sheet materials, joinery, windows, flooring and a small amount of hardwood. It has an 18,000ft2 warehouse, with scope for future expansion.
“We’ve managed to open up trade accounts and have a decent cash business,” said Mr Emmett, who formerly worked for Jewson and James Chambers. “We’re confident we have built success on service levels.”
He said the company believed in operating on a decent margin and was prepared to walk away from business rather than undersell.
Mr Emmett said supply challenges facing the softwood industry had not hindered the company, but admitted sourcing was more difficult, with forward ordering necessary.
