Hundreds of jobs lost as UK's largest timber firm axes five more sites across Scotland

More than 200 jobs have been lost as the UK’s largest timber firm axed a further five sites in Scotland after collapsing last month.

National Timber Group, which operates companies such as Rembrand, Scotia Roofing, and Forfar-based Orchard Timber Products, appointed administrators at the end of November.

The company had 25 locations in Scotland, and axed six of those, in Dumbarton, Forfar, Newton Stewart, Edinburgh – Hawkhill, Anniesland and Stirling last month.

169 jobs in Scotland were lost as part of 561 roles across the UK being made redundant.

National Timber Group had 25 locations in Scotland National Timber Group

The administrators have since confirmed a further five of the group’s sites in Scotland closed in Coatbridge, Baldovie, Inverness, Inverurie and Glasgow on Friday.

A further 33 jobs have been lost at those sites, while 11 jobs at previously closed sites in Forfar, Dumbarton, and Grangemouth have also been lost.

The job losses bring the total number of roles being made redundant in Scotland to over 200.

The business, which has a combined turnover of £350m, employs 1,200 people across the UK.

The company also has bases, including merchant and distribution locations, in Aberdeen, Ayr and Skye, among others.

In an update, administrators from Alvarez & Marsal said the closures were necessary at branches where no offers of sale were received.

A statement read: “We have received offers for a number of the group’s sites, but not for the whole business.

“As a result, it has been necessary to make further redundancies in the branches where we have received no offers for a sale.

“We have also made a number of employees redundant from central functions, given the reduced size of the group and pending transactions. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.

“We are working on a number of transactions for the group’s sites, which we hope to complete prior to Christmas, and which would rescue parts of the business and retain employment for those who would transfer to a purchaser.

“We would like to thank the workforce of National Timber Group for their continued support during this process.”

The firm’s CEO, Mark Dixon, said last month it was in “advanced discussions” with an interested party regarding the sale of a substantial part of the business.

However, the administrators said it had not received an offer for the businesses as a whole.

Mr Dixon said the business has been experiencing “difficult trading conditions and liquidity challenges for some time”.