JDS Grows Presence in North of England with Acquisition
Leading timber specialist James Donaldson & Sons Ltd has strengthened its position in the North of England safeguarding nearly 40 local jobs following its purchase of Palgrave Brown in Chorley.
As part of the deal James Donaldson has acquired all the land and buildings, plant and machinery and stock from the Palgrave Brown site.
In future, the site will trade as Alfred Hulme Ltd, the original name of the company when it started on the current site around 1919.
One of the UK’s largest manufacturers of timber engineered products, Palgrave Brown was hit hard by the downturn in the construction industry and went into administration in early November.
Strong performance from all its operating divisions in recent years has seen family business James Donaldson, which in 2010 celebrates its 150th anniversary, achieve turnover of nearly £100 million.
While not escaping the downturn of the construction industry, the business has avoided the worst with its policy of ensuring a broad spread of customers across different industry sectors.
Neil Donaldson, Chairman of James Donaldson and Sons Ltd, sees Alfred Hulme playing a key role in his company’s ambitions in the North of England.
He said: “The Chorley site was rightly being sold as a going concern as it has good facilities, a skilled workforce and geographically is well positioned to help us grow strongly once the economic conditions improve.
“Customers of the site can rest assured that they will continue to receive the same excellent service and will have access to the current product range. In 2009, our aim is to enhance this service by increasing the product range on offer.
“I am pleased we have been able to safeguard local jobs in the area and we look forward to working well with the latest additions to our team.”
James Donaldson and Sons Ltd includes the primary operating divisions of sawmilling company James Donaldson Timber Ltd (JDT), the UK’s largest roof truss manufacturer Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE) and timber merchant MGM.
In the spring the company opened a further two locations of MGM Timber which
resulted in an increase of staff in this division from 127 to 148.
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