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Above left: The group has expanded its workforce Above right: The Port of Wisbech is able to discharge a vessel of 2,000m3
within one day
so Jim and Pete invested one million pounds to modernise the facility. The Port of Wisbech is able to discharge a vessel of 2,000m3
within one day and that
includes entrance from the Wash, travelling 11 miles inland, turning 180 degrees in a turning bay and leaving, all within a 24-hour period.
The working cranes were fast approaching their 40th birthday so investment in this area was essential. With this in mind, Galleywood Timber and Port Group purchased a brand- new Fuchs re-handler, as pictured (opposite bottom). This greatly reduces the likelihood of having a crane breakdown and secures fast discharging of vessels and stock availability. Further investment in lifting gear is planned as the old cranes are decommissioned. Chartered ships from the Baltic can now be discharged efficiently but with the challenges of the charter market being fluid, there seemed a need to take more control of this side of the business. In 2018 GT and Port of Wisbech then
embarked on their most ambitious project in purchasing two small coaster vessels capable of carrying 50% of their throughput and guaranteeing continuity to its customers for the foreseeable future. Mv Seg (opposite top) and Mv Sandal now shuttle between Riga and Wisbech, offering a fortnightly service. This represented an investment of over £2.5m but has proved to be a key factor in the company’s ongoing success.
Managing director Jim Roberts says that overall investments will continue. ‘’We expect to increase the shipping fleet further over the next 12 months, as we pursue aggressive growth strategies in both the timber and port logistics sectors. In addition to our sales office in Chelmsford, Essex, we have opened a further sales office
in Somerset headed by our sales manager Simon Harris.’’ Sales director Adam Roberts leads the team in Chelmsford, and together with Simon, based in Wells, the strategy is to increase the customer base further afield. As such the group is now holding stock in both Cardiff and Bromborough as well as in their main site in Wisbech, Cambs. “We see the north and south-west as having great potential, and with the recent difficulties in the haulage industry, mainly over driver availability, it makes sense to hold stocks in three locations and supplement our Wisbech service,” said Adam. “We believe this gives our customers even more options and better choice.’’
Wisbech now handles between 16 to 20,000mt per month of timber and bricks as the investments have led to confidence from customers and many have increased their presence. As a result, the group has increased its undercover storage capacity at Wisbech to cope with more added value products. The past year has been arguably one of the most challenging for importers, stockists, and manufacturers, due to sharp market trends complicated by Brexit as well as the Covid pandemic. No one could have predicted what effect these once in a lifetime events would have. However, the group was confident it had placed itself in a position where it could weather the storm.
Wisbech is primarily a food producing area and is reliant on labour coming from the EU. With the increased business activity, the group has been able to reward and expand on its employee base and increase its workforce away from agency workers to full time staff. Both investing in and training its employees to a high standard so that the group retains the services of key individuals. This approach
has helped to insulate GT and PW from the pressures that exiting the EU has had on the available workforce.
Certainly the business environment is challenging, with timber, fuel and labour costs all increasing dramatically. The pandemic resulted in increased demand for all commodities and the group has responded well to the pressure.
The endeavour to not only supply timber to Galleywood’s customers but to support this cause through its own logistics solution in the Port of Wisbech will not stop here. It’s clear that trading timber is difficult when any one of the logistics issues strike. Being in control of shipping and investing in port services provides great value to Galleywood Timber’s customers. It enables a frequent supply of timber and flexibility that is essential for trade.
There has been a lot of change over the last few years and no doubt there are challenges to come, but Galleywood is looking forward to the future and will continue to offer supply solutions and looks forward to supporting its partners and customers in the years ahead. ■
5 Eves Corner, Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4QF T: 01245 860614 M: 07503197466 (Adam) M: 07792792686 (Jim) E:
adam@gwtp.co.uk,
jim@gwtp.co.uk W:
galleywoodtimber.co.uk
www.ttjonline.com | January/February 2022 | TTJ
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