Investment in new equipment pays dividends for Rothbury logging business

A Northumberland logging business is reaping the rewards of investment.
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Coquetdale Timber is anticipating a 40% plus growth in business by the end of the current financial year.

The business, set up in March 2017, is a diversification of the J Robson & Son farming operation and is managed by Michael Robson, his brother Andrew and Michael’s son Thomas from their base at Hepple Whitefield Farm near Rothbury.

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“We were approached by an individual not long after we started the business to construct lambing hurdles and now produce in excess of one thousand a year,” said Thomas.

Coquetdale Timber, a woodland management and logging business, is looking forward to a 40% plus growth in business.Coquetdale Timber, a woodland management and logging business, is looking forward to a 40% plus growth in business.
Coquetdale Timber, a woodland management and logging business, is looking forward to a 40% plus growth in business.

In addition of the delivery of barn seasoned softwood and hardwood logs to a variety of clients, an area of the business which will see more than 40% growth year on year, the team also provides a range of woodland management services.

“Our client base has grown significantly since the business launch and we are now involved in providing feed troughs, cladding, fence posts and rails, raised beds and even cut oak boards which a local company transform into bespoke mantlepieces for clients purchasing a stove from them,” revealed Thomas.

As part of that growth, the family realised that they needed to invest in equipment that would allow them to scale up the business and ensure they were operating efficiently and effectively.

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They opted to purchase a new forwarder trailer and winch and agent George F. White went through the Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group to secure RDPE LEADER funding.

Work in progress at Coquetdale Timber.Work in progress at Coquetdale Timber.
Work in progress at Coquetdale Timber.

The business took delivery of the equipment in late 2019 and is already seeing the benefits.

“The new trailer and winch allow us to access areas in a considered and low impact way that larger operations may not adopt and at the same time ensuring we can undertake tasks efficiently and safely, it really has already proved its value to the business,” said Thomas.

"“Being a relatively small business the ability to utilise the LEADER grant programme and reduce the cost outlay by 40% is of huge benefit to us as without this funding the business would not have purchased such a large item.”

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The firm delivers barn seasoned softwood and hardwood logs.The firm delivers barn seasoned softwood and hardwood logs.
The firm delivers barn seasoned softwood and hardwood logs.

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