April 3 2007 - Scotframe and Norbord - a partnership for sustainable growth
April 3 2007 - Scotframe and Norbord - a partnership for sustainable growth
Founded in 1989 by managing director Bob Edwards, Scotframe has grown to its present leading position in the timber frame industry from humble beginnings. With its extensive timber industry, Scotland has ready access to high quality raw materials. It is therefore no accident that Scotframe, as a leading name, is a major customer of Norbord, the UK’s leading manufacturer of engineered wood-based panels.
 

The success of Scotframe Timber Engineering is the story of modern timber frame construction.

Founded in 1989 by managing director Bob Edwards, Scotframe has grown to its present leading position in the timber frame industry from humble beginnings, as marketing manager, Peter Hall explains:

“Bob set up the business, employing just a few guys, in a small shed in Aberdeen. Just two years later, they’d moved into a purpose-built factory in Inverurie” says Mr Hall. Bob had projected a turnover in the region of £500,000 in the first year but, in fact, completed nearly £1.5 million worth of business. Last year, the company turned over £35 million.

Scotframe’s growth is due in large measure to Bob Edward’s own skill and determination; it also helped that he was in the right place at the right time as ever. Modern timber frame, a building method almost completely ignored in England and Wales until relatively recently, saw huge growth in Scotland during the 1980s and 90s. Speed and efficiency, excellent thermal performance and very low susceptibility to defects were warmly embraced by the Scots.

Furthermore, with its extensive timber industry, Scotland has ready access to high quality raw materials. It is therefore no accident that Scotframe, as a leading name is a major customer of Norbord, the UK’s leading manufacturer of engineered wood-based panels.

Based in Scotland, Norbord produces the famous Sterling OSB (oriented strand board) and Caberwood MDF products using native softwood from sustainably-managed forests as its raw material. Both are extensively used in the timber frame industry and both play an important role in Scotframe’s production.

The basic element of the Scotframe system is the wall panel. This is designed to provide the structural inner leaf of a cavity wall (the outer leaf is usually of traditional masonry construction). Panels are manufactured to order in the factory and delivered to site ready for erection.

The panel cross-section consists of a plasterboard inner surface fixed over a vapour barrier to the main structural timber frame. Outside this is an insulating quilt held in place by a sheathing board made of Sterling OSB. A waterproof breather membrane completes the inner leaf.

Today, Scotframe manufactures in three locations. In addition to the original factory in Inverurie, Scotframe now also has a factory at Cumbernauld, near Glasgow and Hillsborough, near Belfast. Last year, the three factories produced in excess of 1,500 units. “We have manufactured and supplied timber frame house kits and commercial structures sufficient to build the equivalent of a small town since we began in 1989” says Mr Hall.

With 42 standard house designs in its portfolio, Scotframe has the largest range in the UK timber frame market. Significantly, the self-build market has always been buoyant for Scotframe and this sector now accounts for approximately 20% of Scotframe business. “The remaining 80% of our annual turnover is made up from a wide range of trade customers – either builders or developers” comments Mr Hall.

Scotframe customers benefit from a comprehensive range of products, services and kit packages. Needless to say, Sterling OSB features prominently in the structural elements. “In addition, MDF is widely used for skirtings, mouldings and a variety of other interior finishes, “and we also use a lot of Caberwood”, says Mr Hall.

The future for timber frame looks very promising indeed. “The UK Timber Frame Association recently issued their Market Report for 2005 which predicts a steady growth in the UK timber frame market for the foreseeable future”, says Mr Hall. “The Irish Republic is now specifying a lot of timber frame and Wales is also buoyant. Northern Ireland and England are also now beginning to use more, with high growth projected in these areas”.

Timber frame appeals to contractors and developers who like its fast erection, high quality and site-safe characteristics while homebuyers who appreciate its quality and energy efficiency. And, by using Norbord timber products grown locally in sustainably-managed forests, everybody in the supply chain knows they are doing their utmost to reduce the environmental impact of the building industry.