The biggest UK timber trader tries to avoid bankruptcy

The largest British wood trader has been forced to take measures to prevent bankruptcy and is negotiating the sale of parts of its business. The company in question is the National Timber Group, which was established in 2018 to consolidate the wood trade. It was formed by Thornbridge, NY Timber, Rembrand Timber, Orchard Timber, Hymor Timber, SV Timber, Norclad, and Arnold Laver. But what led to its current state, and how might this affect the construction industry as a whole?

The main source: Timber consolidator set for break up

The reason for that situation

The NTA was initially created to consolidate the wood trading sector. However, this vision became blurred due to difficult trading conditions. The latest reports made by NTA for the year ending 31 December 2023 show a pre-tax loss of £6.3 million on a turnover of £197 million. After financial restructuring in January 2025, the ultimate controlling party became Sylvan Span. It`s a limited liability company registered in Delaware, USA, managed by Pricoa Private Capital. (Pricoa had previously provided financing for acquisitions.) Mark Dixon joined the company as chief executive officer in June this year from Rubix UK (formerly Brammer UK) to reorganize it.

How does the biggest UK timber trader’s bankruptcy influence the UK building industry?

In the event of bankruptcy, the initial consequences for the market would be extremely negative — even shocking. Isolated disruptions in material supply are already being recorded, and if the company were to disappear, the consequences could be far more serious. Fencyx, as one of the leaders in the UK building industry, hopes that situation will be corrected. In other case – it may cause bigger troubles with supplying UK building industry wood materials. Also it may cause delays in project implementations.

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