Britton Timbers to acquire Burnie veneer business

Long established Tasmanian timber processing business, Britton Timbers is acquiring the Specialty Veneers (incorporating Corinna Timbers) veneer and panel processing facility at Somerset in North West Tasmania.

Britton Timbers General Manager Shawn Britton says the acquisition aligns perfectly with the company’s ongoing strategies to produce quality decorative timber and timber products for the furniture and joinery industries, including meeting the increasing demand for natural timber products in commercial applications.

Britton Timbers is a family owned company that for 112 years has operated a Tasmanian Oak and Blackwood timber processing business at Smithton in North West Tasmania, and timber distribution centres in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Acquiring Specialty Veneers means the company now employs over 180 people in permanent positions of which 105 are in regional Tasmania, as well as a significant number of local contractors to support its businesses operations.

“When the opportunity to purchase the veneer processing facility presented itself, we jumped at it. The veneer and panel business is a very important asset to the entire Tasmanian forestry industry and the purchase signifies a strong and prosperous future for Tasmanian veneers” Mr Britton said.

“The Somerset facility produces decorative veneers and veneered panels, primarily in Tasmanian Oak and Tasmanian Blackwood as well as small volumes of myrtle, huon pine, celery top pine and sassafras. The mill is operated by a highly skilled team of over 20 employees and we are thrilled to secure their employment and welcome them to the Britton Timbers team. Specialty Veneers has a loyal customer base that we will continue to supply with the same high-quality product they are used to and the mill’s current processing capacity will also be maintained.” said Mr Britton.

Mr Britton said that the co-operation of public forestry manager Sustainable Timbers Tasmania had been highly significant, particularly the transfer of existing supply contracts, as the ongoing availability of resource from Tasmania’s sustainably managed native forests will be pivotal to the success of the businesses going forward. The business will continue to be a proud processor and supporter of certified timber products in association with the Responsible Wood and Tasmanian Timber brands.

Source: Britton Timbers