James Donaldson Timber (JDT) has taken over a leasehold on a new, purpose-built manufacturing facility in Chorley.

At 110,000ft2, the new site in Botany Bay Business Park will more than double the Scottish business' current production capacity and improve operational efficiencies, supporting increased output to meet market demand.

The size of the factory allows for a number of fully integrated, continuous lines of manufacturing, which will boost productivity and create a better working environment for staff. The fully enclosed facility has scope for 24-hour operations if required, future-proofing the site to allow for market growth and diversification.

According to the company, the increased capacity will have immediate benefits for customers; reducing lead times, enhancing the customer service experience, and strengthening stock availability.

Situated just two miles from JDT’s existing Chorley site, the location was chosen to integrate with established routes and operational processes, while also minimising disruption for the long-serving skilled workforce.

Perform Panel, a division of Donaldson Group subsidiary Nu-Style Products, will also use 10,000ft2 of the facility for storage and distribution purposes in the Northwest. 

Work is continuing uninterrupted throughout the transition between the sites, with the new factory expected to be fully operational by autumn 2025.

Iain Torrance, Managing Director of James Donaldson Timber, said: “Opening the Chorley branch was our first venture into England back in 2008, and it’s been a hugely successful move for us. It significantly changed our product offering, expanding beyond timber for the first time, and allowed us to better service our clients north and south of the border.

“After 17 years, we’ve simply outgrown the site. It was becoming impractical and inefficient, and was no longer suitable for our future growth plans. The new site is purpose built as a manufacturing unit with more scope to develop our offering – and it provides a much-improved working environment too, bringing benefits for our customers and our colleagues.”

Andrew Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer of the Donaldson Group, said: “This is an extremely exciting move for JDT and also for us as a Group, more than doubling the capacity for JDT in England and bringing benefits for Nu Style too. The MDF mouldings market continues to grow at pace and will inevitably increase further once we see the development of much-needed housing across the UK.

“JDT is the original part of the Donaldson Group, so we’re particularly proud to see such a positive evolution of this business as we enter our 165th year.”