Hundreds of jobs across Scotland’s timber sector are now under threat following the UK’s largest timber distribution and processing firm, National Timber Group, filing a notice of intention to enter administration last week.
The move places its extensive Scottish operations – including Rembrands, Scotia Roofing, and Forfar-based Orchard Timber Products – at significant risk, affecting workers and communities from Aberdeen to Ayr.
National Timber Group, headquartered in Sheffield and founded in 1920, has grown into a major industry player with a combined turnover of £350 million and 1,200 employees across its network.
In Scotland alone, the group operates 25 locations, including key sites in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Grangemouth, as well as distribution centres in Inverness, Stirling, and Aberdeen.
The notice of intention to enter administration encompasses all entities within the group, impacting locations not just in Scotland but across England too.
While the company continues to trade as it explores future options, the potential for significant job losses looms large for timber industry staff and suppliers throughout the country.
As Scotland’s timber industry faces this period of uncertainty, local communities and industry stakeholders will be watching closely for the outcome of ongoing discussions and potential restructuring plans.
The fate of hundreds of jobs will likely depend on the outcome of this process, with knock-on effects for the broader supply chain and construction sector.
