56 | Features: Rowlinson Group


SUMMARY


■ Rowlinson Group is marking its 100th anniversary


■ The Group operates packaging and garden products companies


■ It has an operation in Estonia - Baltic Connexions


■ Rowlinson has invested heavily in robotics ROWLINSON AT 100 Rowlinson Group is a name synonymous with the softwood products


industry. As it celebrates its 100th anniversary Stephen Powney caught up with Group chairman Jimmy Rowlinson


Robotics from part of the modern manufacturing operation at Rowlinson


Rowlinson is a name steeped in history within the UK wood products industry and this year marks its 100th anniversary. The company has adapted and changed continually throughout its century of business, starting with timber importing in Manchester, then moving on to manufacturing of timber packaging and a large range of garden products.


The opportunity to speak to Rowlinson Group chairman Jimmy Rowlinson – who is a mine of information on the UK timber products industry – was something TTJ couldn’t turn down. Not only can Mr Rowlinson chart key changes in the industry, but he also has some


TTJ | Summer 2026 | www.ttjonline.com


pointers to running a successful business, with a strong emphasis on giving consumers what they want at a price structure that is affordable while maintaining quality. Today, the Group has a turnover in excess of £50m and operates manufacturing facilities at Wardle in Cheshire and Thetford in Norfolk, with the Baltic Connexions facility in Estonia. The timber trading operation was sold back in 2023.


The modern operation run by Rowlinson


today, complete with use of the latest robotics in manufacturing, is very different to the industry which Mr Rowlinson found himself in when he started out in the industry.


EARLY DAYS


The timber importing and trading operation was the foundation of the company in 1926, with founder James Rowlinson setting up a facility at Elevator Road, Trafford Park on the banks of the Manchester ship canal. Manufacture of export cases was also an early activity. During the war years, Rowlinson expanded to a homegrown sawmill at Willaston, Cheshire to hedge against bombing raids on the cities. “From there we manufactured motor car cases for Ford and Vauxhall,” explained Mr Rowlinson. “They were exported to assembly plants all over the world.”


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