About Howarth

Welcome to the Howarth Timber Group.

Howarth Timber Group is the UK’s largest privately owned Timber Company. Timber has been the heart of our business for over 165 years.

The origins of the Howarth Timber Group can be found in the 1840's when the company started trading under the name of Hudson & Co. Over the years the company has grown and expanded from one-man to involving over 1000 employees.

In 1974 Hudson & Co and all the other businesses that had been purchased over the years came under the name of Howarth Timber Group Ltd. Over the years the Howarth Timber Group has been committed to worldwide environmental policies and were founder members of the Forests Forever Campaign encouraging the use of sustainable resources.

The Howarth Timber Group encompasses 25 Timber and Builders merchant branches, Howarth Windows & Doors and Howarth Timber Engineering.

Howarth Timber & Building Supplies Ltd.

With a network of 25 timber and builders merchant branches throughout England with facilities including specialist timber treatment, milling and machining, provides a complete service to professional tradesmen, major construction companies, self-builders and committed DIY enthusiasts.

Large stocks of timber, sheet materials and building products are held in stock for immediate collection or delivery. Further machining facilities are available on site at local branches to provide customers with timber cut to the exact specifications they need.

Our experienced staff are on hand to offer knowledgeable advice on our extensive range of premium quality products, which are generally available ex-stock for immediate collection or delivery. Delivery to site, with crane off-loading, is available from most of our branches.

Howarth Timber Engineering Ltd.

Initially established in Huddersfield in 1972, Howarth Timber Engineering developed a strong identity in the north across the key products of Trussed Rafters, Timber Frame and I Beam products. The acquisition in 2003 of Marlows in the south and the establishment of a business at Gloucester in the southwest provides a strong geographical base for future development.

Howarth Timber Engineering is a modern timber engineering business that is part of the Howarth Timber Group, a privately owned timber company established in 1840.

We provide over 250,000 roof trusses each year from our localities at Ashton under Lyne, Huddersfield, Scunthorpe, and Bury St Edmunds. I beam production from Breighton, Gloucester and Bury St Edmunds provides floors/flat roofs for about 12,500 houses each year. Our timber frame production from Breighton and Bury St Edmunds is currently over 1500 houses each year, most of which we supply and erect.

We operate an externally audited Quality Management system to ISO 9001:2000 and product conformity schemes for truss and timber frame. We are also Chain of Custody certified for all the major timber certification schemes.

The Company specialises in these core engineering products and is committed to providing a professional service through its experienced staff. We are currently expanding our business by organic growth achieved through a high level of repeat business and the development of new trading relationships with companies who require a specialist supply partner.

Howarth (Windows & Doors) Ltd.

Howarth (Windows & Doors) Ltd, is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of high performance softwood windows and door sets.

Our extensive range is the preferred choice of architects, housing developers, contractors, specifiers and merchants nationwide.

Part of our commitment to ongoing improvement is our programme of research and development of new products, many of which represent innovation at its best. Our NEW fully reversible and traditional flush windows are amongst our latest developments and we are working with the Carbon Trust in developing a window to further reduce carbon emissions.

As a founder member of the British Woodworking Federation's Timber Window Accreditation Scheme manufactures all windows within the guidelines set. The BWF scheme now runs in partnership with the BSI Kitemark scheme.

The Environment

At Howarth Timber Group we are committed to purchasing all timber from legal sources and seeking evidence of compliance from suppliers that they are operating in accordance with the laws of their country. We unreservedly condemns illegal logging practices and keeps informed of processes and changes in international legislation.

Howarth Timber Group have implemented Chain of Custody (CoC) procedures to ensure these materials meet the Government and C.P.E.T. (Central Point of Expertise in Timber) policy and guidelines on sustainable forest management practices and are obtained form legal and sustainable forest sources. As part of this system, it is our policy to ensure compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) criteria.

Timber Trades Benevolent Society- What do they do?

Founded in 1897 initially we provided regular cash payments for members of the timber trade who had fallen on hard times. This was of course before the welfare state was founded and occupational pensions were practically non existent. TTBS has evolved over the years and although we still provide regular cash payments we also pay a telephone allowance to cover the line rental, we pay for the TV license of many of our beneficiaries as well as sending a food hamper twice a year. At Christmas we send an extra cash payment of £100. We are always looking for new ways to help and in the last couple of years, following the sharp rise in gas and electricity charges, the Society has made a grant of up to £200 towards the heavy winter fuel bills.One off grants are made to help with replacement domestic appliances such as fridges, cookers and TVs. We shall also be assisting our beneficiaries with the cost of the change over to digital TV in the next few years by providing Freeview boxes and aerial upgrades as necessary. Grants are made towards repair and redecoration of beneficiaries' homes as well as helping with respite holidays. We help with the provision of specialist equipment for the disabled and work closely with Royal British Legion, SSAFA - Forces Help and other charities.

Howarth Timber and the TTBS

Over the years Howarth Timber Group Ltd has supported TTBS, not only with regular cash donations but also as one of the sponsors of the twice yearly TTBS Presidents Newsletter. Howarth's have been excellent supporters of the many TTBS fundraising events held all over the country both as as participants and sponsors.

Further information on TTBS events can be found on the website http://www.ttbs.co.uk