Sector Focus: Software & IT | 47
DRIVING CHANGE WITH PURPOSE
Inside James Latham’s digital and sustainable transformation
At James Latham, tradition and innovation don’t just sit side-by-side – they work together. As one of the UK’s longest-standing timber importers and distributors, the company has spent over 268 years adapting to change, while staying true to its roots. Now, with the rollout of the latest version of Epicor BisTrack and Warehouse Management System (WMS), James Latham is taking another step forward. But this isn’t just about new software – it’s about people, purpose, and progress. It’s about using technology to support teams, improve sustainability, and build on what’s already working.
In this Q&A, Sophie Trabucchi, IT director at James Latham – who’s been leading the charge – shares how the business is making meaningful changes while keeping its identity firmly intact.
TTJ: JAMES LATHAM HAS BEEN A LONG-TIME EPICOR CUSTOMER. WHAT MEASURABLE BENEFITS HAVE YOU SEEN SINCE IMPLEMENTING THE LATEST VERSION OF BISTRACK AND EPICOR WMS? Sophie Trabucchi: The decision to upgrade to the latest version of BisTrack and implement Epicor WMS was driven by a clear goal: to enhance operational efficiency, accuracy, and visibility across the business. And the results have been immediate and impressive. We went live at our Thurrock distribution depot in January this year, and the transformation has been huge. The results speak for themselves. The distribution depot would typically see around 10 issues a day concerning deliveries, and now that number has significantly reduced. I think they’ve had two credits this whole year for mis-picks. Beyond accuracy, the new system has had a profound impact on morale. It’s really improved the team’s quality of life. When you’re not firefighting from the moment you walk in, it changes the whole tone of the day.
Training has also become faster and more effective. What once took several months to fully train a panels picker now takes just a few weeks. The system tells you what the product is and where it is. You don’t need to memorise every species or grade.
With a roadmap to roll out the system to two or three distribution depots per year, the transformation is ongoing. It’s one of the biggest changes we’ve made in our history – not just a tech change, but a cultural one.
TTJ: SUSTAINABILITY IS A CORE VALUE FOR JAMES LATHAM. HOW IS THE CARBON CALCULATOR HELPING YOU MAKE MORE INFORMED, ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS? ST: Sustainability is embedded in everything we do – from procurement to customer transparency. Our carbon calculator, developed in collaboration with a leading university, is a key part of that strategy. The tool allows us to quantify both the biogenic and total carbon footprint of our products, giving customers clear, data-backed insights into the environmental impact of their purchases. It’s our way of being able
to show the customer their carbon footprint. We’ve integrated it into our documentation and reporting systems using BisTrack, so it’s seamless.
This initiative reflects our broader commitment to environmental leadership. Our environmental team is ahead of the game. They sit on sustainability boards and are constantly pushing us forward to be a pioneer in this space.
TTJ: HOW DOES HAVING REAL- TIME DATA FROM YOUR ERP AND WMS SYSTEMS SUPPORT YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AND WIDER BUSINESS STRATEGY? ST: Real-time data is the backbone of our sustainability and business strategy. With BisTrack and WMS working in tandem, we’re able to make faster, more informed decisions that reduce waste, optimise transport, and ensure compliance with timber regulations and chain of custody schemes. WMS helps us ensure that what we’re selling is exactly what we say it is. It’s not just about efficiency – it’s about traceability, accountability, and trust.
The systems also support ESG reporting and compliance with emerging regulations such as EUDR. We’re already having early conversations about how we can use BisTrack to support reporting and data requirements for upcoming timber regulations.
TTJ: WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE PART OF A BUSINESS THAT’S NOT ONLY MODERNISING OPERATIONS BUT ALSO LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE TIMBER DISTRIBUTION? ST: It’s genuinely a lovely company to work for. Even though we’ve grown to 14 sites across the UK and Ireland, it still has that family feel. The values aren’t just corporate words – they’re lived.
That culture of care extends to innovation.
Tech is great, but it has to have a purpose. It’s not just about productivity – it’s about making people’s jobs easier and more fulfilling.
Above: James Latham has rolled out the
latest version of Epicor BisTrack and Warehouse Management System
For me, the transformation is as much about people as it is about process. We’re not just ticking boxes. We want to make a real difference in the timber industry. And that’s what makes it such an exciting place to be. ■
www.ttjonline.com | July/August 2025 | TTJ
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