Duchy Timber acquired

Duchy Timber has been acquired by the former managing director of a Launceston landscaping business.

The Lostwithiel-based sawn and machined wood supplier, which is one of the largest commercial sawmills in the south west, employing 39 members of staff, has been bought by David Adam, previously MD at Silvanus Services.

Also part of the £4.5 million turnover group is sister company and specialist timber merchant, Payne Timber, which has depots located at Ottery St Mary in east Devon and Torquay and has 20 members of staff.

Adam commented: “In spite of the difficult economic conditions this is a really exciting time for Duchy and Payne Timber. We source all of our logs for the mill from sustainably managed woodlands here in the south west.

“This creates local employment for contractors and hauliers, and reduces the volume of imported timber coming into the country – so there is a low carbon footprint and the country’s balance of payments is helped as well.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.