8 | UK News
Liverpool timber merchant Edmund A Stephens Ltd adds additional site with NatWest funding package
The business, which recorded a turnover of £16.6m in 2023 and operating profit of £1.5m, supplies a range of timber products to the building industry including fencing, decking, packaging and flooring. Edmund A Stephens also provides bespoke cutting services.
Above: Mick Stephens of Edmund A Stephens with Ruth Kirby, NatWest senior relationship manager
Family-run Liverpool timber merchant Edmund A Stephens Ltd has acquired an additional site to expand its operations following a seven-figure funding package from NatWest.
The firm is based in Bootle, Liverpool near the Liverpool Docks and opened its first site in Bromborough four years ago to support its expanding customer-base in Chester and North Wales. This latest acquisition, another site in Bromborough, will continue to support the business’ growth plans.
Established in 1978 by Edmund and Linda Stephens, the business is managed by their son Mick Stephens who has been running the business alongside his wife and two sons.
“For more than four decades, we have been providing a range of timber products to customers to fit their needs,” said
Group predicts UK housebuilding growth delayed until second half of 2025
A return to housebuilding growth is unlikely until the second half of 2025, according to the latest statement from the UK Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group. John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation and Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association, co-chairs of the Group, released a statement saying recent growth in construction activity had largely been due to civil engineering and non-housing related expenditure in the public sector. Housebuilding and industrial construction have seen output levels decline, they added.
“There is a degree of optimism for 2025 stemming from the reforms published in the National Planning Policy Framework setting out the government’s plans in relation to the release of green belt land,” the statement said.
“There is disappointment, however, that the changes are not set to benefit smaller housebuilders as they are geared towards volume house builder applications. “Furthermore, the rate of housebuilding
TTJ | January/February 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
is unlikely to increase significantly until mortgage interest rates come down and consumer confidence returns. The Group remains cautious about predicting levels of growth, and believes we are unlikely to see any noticeable recovery until the second half of 2025.”
The Group recognises that one of the biggest challenges will be to ensure that resources are in place to support increased development from the outset. Capacity has been reduced in line with demand over the past 18 months. While this can be increased, and there are reports that brick capacity is already being added back in, there remains uncertainty surrounding the speed of doing so. “Some manufacturing firms may well be cautious around investment until they see evidence of growth in the economy.” As advised in the previous Materials Supply Group statement (November 27, 2024), the market has been advised of price increases ranging from 3% to 8% in January, stemming from higher energy costs. Further price increases may follow, stemming from higher employment costs.
Mick Stephens. “My parents shared their expertise and passion for their business with me, and I am continuing in that tradition today, working alongside my wife and children to further develop the business, and also explore other opportunities.”
In addition to running Edmund A Stephens, Mr Stephens and his nephew have founded Paragon KBB – a home improvements firm specialising in bespoke kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. NatWest has been supporting Edmund A Stephens for more than 40 years. “Edmund A Stephens is a fantastic, family-run business,” said Ruth Kirby, senior relationship manager at NatWest. “Mick and his family are ambitious about growing the business further, as this latest acquisition demonstrates, and we wish them every success with their expansion plans.”
MiTek European centre of operations under way
Construction is under way on a new European state-of-the-art centre of operations for MiTek in Worcester. The new 278,000ft2
facility is being
built at Worcester Six Business Park, near Junction 6 of the M5 motorway, and represents a significant investment in the construction industry and a confidence in the growing Posi-Joist market. Alongside playing a role in helping MiTek serve its customers through its software, engineered products and machinery to automate processes and services, the building will also allow for expansion. “We wanted to relocate to a place where there is space for expansion in the future with good transport links,” said James Morgan, managing director of MiTek’s EMEA operations.
“This will be our home for decades
now. It will provide smart, contemporary facilities for staff, alongside having a positive impact on economic growth and signifying our loyalty to the industry and our markets.”
UK News
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