6 | UK News
Scottish First Minister applauds
“Scottish Timber for Scottish Homes” at £18m factory opening
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney embraced the ‘Scottish Timber, Scottish Homes’ message as he opened an £18m advanced timber frame factory at Alexanders Timber Design. The minister, who unveiled a plaque at the factory on April 24 in a ceremony attended by housebuilders, council leaders, MSPs and timber sector representatives, described the ATD facility in Irvine as “formidable” and “incredibly impressive”. The factory uses Kuka robots and advanced technology to assemble timber frame panels incorporating insulation and other features, with an annual production capacity of 2,500 homes.
The use of Scottish home-grown timber to build the frames is a unique feature, as most UK timber frame factories use imported Swedish timber. “We need facilities like this to fulfil our government objectives,” said Mr Swinney. “It is a whole new approach to sustainability. It shows the importance of using home-grown timber here in Scotland to provide dynamism to the housebuilding sector in Scotland.”
Mr Swinney also said the ATD facility made a large contribution to the circular economy in Scotland. He further applauded Irish timber group Glennon Brothers, which owns ATD, for investing in Scotland.
Mike Glennon, joint managing director of Glennon Brothers, hosted the opening ceremony.
“Beyond housing, this project is a model of how industry can align with government in responding to the climate crisis,” he said. “The First Minister’s strategy for sustainability has set a clear direction: reduce emissions, protect ecosystems, and grow a low-carbon economy,” added Mr Glennon. “We fully endorse that
mission, and this facility delivers on it.” The factory uses high-quality, locally sourced home-grown timber processed in Glennon Brothers’ Troon Sawmill to manufacture homes to meet Scotland’s growing housing needs. ATD relocated to the new factory from its former site nearby at the Troon sawmill. National housebuilders present at the factory opening included Bellway Homes, Persimmon Homes & Taylor Wimpey.
Above left: The new ATD facility Top right: First Minister John Swinney speaking at the opening of ATD, Irvine Bottom right:Randek machinery on the production line
TTJ | May/June 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
UK News
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