Arnold Laver & Co has merged with The National Timber Group, creating the largest independent timber distribution company in the UK.

The National Timber Group is a collective of distribution companies, which include Thornbridge Sawmills, North Yorkshire Timber and Rembrand. It serves a varied customer base such as joiners, regional housebuilders, commercial companies and infrastructure projects.

Sheffield-based Arnold Laver is the timber division of Arnold Laver Holdings Limited, a family-run company first established in 1920. It imports, distributes and manufactures a range of timber, panels, decorative surfaces and joinery products, serving public and private sector construction, house-building and commercial companies. It is a favoured supplier for infrastructure projects that have included the 2012 Olympics and the HS2 railway. It has an annual turnover of more than £130 million and 13 distribution and processing depots across the UK.

The Group says the partnership is “highly complementary” and makes a key milestone in the growth strategy for both businesses, advancing their objective to consolidate the UK value added timber distribution sector and expand geographically. It will be led by Group Chief-Executive Rob Barclay, who joined the National Timber Group in June.

There will be three divisions: a Scottish division headquartered in Grangemouth and led by Group Managing Director for Scotland, Alex McLeod; one headquartered in Sheffield led by the Arnold Laver management team, and a third headquartered in Northallerton and led by Nick Kershaw. Each of the underlying companies will retain their trading names.

Rob Barclay, Group Chief Executive of The National Timber Group said: “We are delighted to partner with Arnold Laver and welcome them to the Group.

“The merger is highly complementary – together, we are able extend our presence nationwide, pursue further growth and are well positioned to capitalise on the market leading position we have established.

“Additionally, our values, vision and commitment to customers are completely aligned, which creates exciting opportunities for us both.”

Andrew Laver, owner of Arnold Laver & Co, added: “Once we had taken the decision to consolidate our interests, our priority was to find a partner with shared goals and values who would help our timber business to fulfil its potential.

“Both companies have much in common in terms of heritage, outstanding product quality and a commitment to the highest standards of customer service, which makes this merger a very good fit.

I am confident that the business is in very capable hands and that it will continue to thrive and prosper.”