Wilson Connolly‘s (Wilcon) Prestoplan timber frame operation has rebuilt much of its external customer base and is performing well, according to group chief executive Graeme McCallum.

However, group production of timber frame homes, already being halved this year from 50% to 25% of total homes built, will reduce still further in 2003 to about 20%.

Reporting the company’s half-yearly results, Mr McCallum told TTJ that Prestoplan had experienced a “good eight months” so far this year, recording a small profit.

Mr McCallum said the operation was on course to meet its target of achieving an external/internal customer split of 50/50, with an external target for next year of 75%.

He did not deny earlier hints by Wilcon that it may eventually seek to sell the timber frame operation, but said much would depend on its performance.

&#8220I think there is a good future for timber frame manufacturers and I am not at all unhappy to be one of them.”

Wilcon chief executive Graeme McCallum.

He said: “I think there is a good future for timber frame manufacturers and I am not at all unhappy to be one of them.”

Timber frame is being used “only where it makes commercial sense”, and is mainly focused on the south-east where labour shortages for brick and block construction exist. It is being used to great effect in low and medium rise apartment buildings.

Wilcon’s group turnover for the six months ending June 30 increased to £340m from £321m in the same period in 2001. Operating profits were up 15% from £22.5m to £25.9m.