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Above left: The company values the skills of its talented bench joiners and cabinet makers Above right: James Wilding Joinery’s kitchens are branded as Millybell Interiors
lookout for technology that will speed up manufacturing,” said Mr Wilding. “We use machines like the Weinig 4-sider and in recent years we have invested in some bespoke window tooling, which has dramatically sped up some of the processes, and we’re keen to use more modern machinery in the future.” At the same time, he said, James Wilding Joinery is intent on not losing sight of the fact that traditional craftsmanship, and the experience behind it, are core to the appeal of its products in its marketplace. Where machines can drive efficiency, it seems, the company will take it on board, but not at the expense of the essential character of its joinery and the skills behind it. “We are proud to employ some of the most talented bench joiners and cabinet makers in our area. We value their skills and are reluctant to kit the workshop out with technology that would make their jobs redundant,” said Mr Wilding. “We are also very passionate about investing in the next generation of joiners. We work closely with Craven College in Skipton and have taken on a number of apprentices. It’s great for our exceptionally talented team to be able to pass on their skills to the next generation, but also to be able to train people up in the way you would like them to work.”
He highlighted the recent achievements of apprentice Harrison Ward as an example, both of the fruits of this approach and the calibre of young people coming through at the company. Last year Mr Ward, 22, was shortlisted in three categories of the prestigious North Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, which recognise innovation and excellence both in terms of the apprentices’ achievements, and the contributions of the training providers. Entrants come from across a range of industries and the competition, said Mr Wilding, is tough.
“But in testament to his determination and commitment to his trade, from the six shortlisted entrants Harrison won the Engineering/Manufacturing Apprentice of
the Year Category,” he said. “The judges’ comments included that ‘Harrison’s rise through the company in such a short space of time caught their eye’. They said he was ‘one to watch’ and that the ‘sky is the limit’ for him.” Mr Ward also won the Rising Star category at the Glass & Glazing Products Installers Awards last year and made it to the shortlist of three in the British Woodworking Federation’s Apprentice of the Year Award. Another of James Wilding’s core commitments is to its environmental performance – an area of increasing customer interest, according to the company. “We are very environmentally conscious and always source our timber through reputable FSC accredited companies,” said Mr Wilding. “We are asked more and more frequently where we source our timber as our customers are keen to help the environment.”
The company uses a range of timbers, highlighting oak and sapele specifically and also now Accoya. “Accoya has become an increasingly popular choice over the past few years,” said Mr Wilding. “It’s due to it not only being ideal for high performance, exterior timber products, but also its thermal insulation properties and stability, which means less movement and fewer problems long term. It needs less maintenance too, which customers see as another benefit.” Accoya, he added, also scores environmentally.
“Not only is it sustainable, its 50-year guarantee against rot gives customers peace of mind that their windows and doors will last,” said Mr Wilding. “So, while the initial outlay may be slightly more than sapele, for example, long term many see Accoya joinery as a great investment.”
The company sources from a number of suppliers, but has a particularly strong relationship with James Latham, buying most of its timber from the company. “Their customer service is excellent and a
couple of years ago they invited us on a trip to the Accoya factory in the Netherlands, which further strengthened our relationship and trust,” said Mr Wilding. Asked if he had one message for the timber
sector, he said it would be to give more of a heads up on availability issues. “It would be good to get updates on any timber shortages that can be foreseen,” he said. “I appreciate that not everything can be predicted, however I know from speaking to various people in the industry, that there are shortages of certain sections from time to time that the larger suppliers have been made aware of.”
On the state of business, Mr Wilding said that, due to the area his company covers, its reputation and the type of product it makes, it has a “steady stream of enquiries and plenty of work booked in”. “However, I’m aware that in other parts of the country this isn’t the case and that there are issues at some of the larger companies and liquidations,” he said. “Obviously, the increase in the minimum wage and National Insurance contributions is also going to have a knock-on effect not only in our industry, but across the country as a whole, forcing costs upwards.”
Despite this, James Wilding Joinery’s outlook is positive and its goals ambitious. Its aims include being “an excellent advocate for the industry”, inspiring the next generation, “raising the bar in all areas” and increasing consumer knowledge of the products they’re buying on the basis that “not all joinery is created equal”. “We are hoping to maintain the outstanding reputation we have worked hard to build over the years,” said Mr Wilding. “We also want to continue bringing younger apprentices through the ranks and keeping our talented team happy. I think there will always be work in our sector for companies like ours, that have numerous strings to their bow and are committed to providing a quality job with the knowledge and experience to back this up.” ■
www.ttjonline.com | May/June 2025 | TTJ
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