Former Silva Timber employees have also joined as specialist timber sales representatives.

Family-owned builders merchant Beesley & Fildes has acquired part of Silva Timber adding a specialist timber range to its portfolio and appointing two new employees.

Based in Widnes, Cheshire, Silva Timber went into administration in October 2023. The deal sees Beesley & Fildes acquire a range of products from the business, including external cladding, coated wood, hardwood decking, slatted screen fencing and cedar shingles.

Sustainably sourced from around the world, the timber range will be available across the merchant’s 11 branches and online.

Former Silva Timber employees Andrea Rolt and Jenny Merritt have also joined Beesley & Fildes as specialist timber sales representatives. The duo had worked at Silva Timber for nine and seven years respectively.

James Beesley, Commercial Director at Beesley & Fildes, said: “As a local business with complementary products, Silva Timber presented an opportunity for us to significantly enhance our portfolio. For the first time, we can now offer a specialised timber range comprising the highest quality hard and soft woods.

“The arrival of Andrea and Jenny further strengthens our offer. With specialist expertise and experience, they are great assets to our growing team.”

Merritt said: “Both Andrea and I are very excited to have joined the Beesley & Fildes team. The chance to work for a long-established family business was an opportunity we could not pass up. Everyone has been really welcoming and we’re enjoying learning about all the products and services offered by the company.”

Rolt added: “Having worked with specialised timber products for many years, our comprehensive knowledge will ensure customers make informed choices. From architects and developers through to landscapers and DIYers, we’re looking forward to helping a wide variety of people and seeing their projects come to fruition.”

The acquisition follows Beesley & Fildes recent £300,000 investment in a new timber treatment plant at its Chester branch.

The fully automated plant can operate all year round and for the first time, enables the merchant to treat timbers in green and brown from its Chester site.

With no need for manual equipment, output has tripled, and drying time has been reduced enabling treated timber to be collected on the same day.