Ronald and Scott Gordon of Gordon Timber discuss the long history of the family business and the innovations and good practices that have made their Nairn sawmill business a resounding success.
“They say that manufacturing in the UK is dead. But we are here in the north of Scotland and very proud of the fact that we actually make something, and it’s grown in the Highlands, processed here and it’s competing with products from all over the world. So that gives us a great sense of achievement and I’d like to think the vast majority of our workforce share in that pride as well.” — Ronald Gordon, Gordon Timber
Podcast excerpts. Interview by Drew Hendry
Drew: This is a very special business, isn’t it? It’s a central part of your local community too. Tell us a bit about the history of Gordon Timber.
Ronald: The business was founded in 1862 by Hugh McIntosh, so it wasn’t our own family that started it, but our great grandfather John Gordon and his brother James joined the firm about 1875. John Gordon eventually bought over the business in 1900 and it’s been the family business ever since.
Scott: We believe that we’re in the top 15 longest-established family businesses in Scotland. So that’s an accolade that we’re very proud of and want to continue for many, many years to come.
Drew: What is the role of innovation here and is there a vision that drives that forward? And if so, how do you get your employees to buy into that?
Ronald: I think the innovation’s got to be at the heart. You know what you do in the sense that nothing stands still. At the moment, I suppose we’re recognizing that there’s more and more importance, rightly so, attached to the environmental credentials involved with green industry, so I think that’s very much got to be at the heart of what we’re doing.
Drew: And just how important is it for your employees to be invested in that vision?
Ronald: I think it’s absolutely essential. We very much see them as being a part of what we do, and I think when we’re talking about innovation and adaptability, I mean, I think we all know that the world is a more complicated place than ever before. And I think we’ve got to try and be very much in tune with what a good employer needs to be doing to look after their people and to I suppose take them with them, as it were, make them feel engaged. You know, I think we work very hard at that to make them feel like part of a team.
Drew: Earlier we talked about the challenge of supply issues. So, if you had to send just one message out, what would it be?
Scott: I think that there’s a greater appreciation of timber and processing, but we very much feel that timber is the building product of the future. It’s got great green credentials. We’re generating employment. What’s not to like? So, planting more trees and accepting that some of these trees will not be beautiful to look at, but they perform a function, and they generate the kind of resources that allow people to go and enjoy the countryside. So, it’s a win-win situation. I think planting more trees for the future is definitely the main message that we would have.
Ronald: I think it’s also seen in the context of how the industry has developed over the last 30, 40 years. When Scott and I first got involved in the late eighties we were supplying as an industry about 15% of the softwood requirements in the UK. We’ve managed to successfully grow that market share up to 40%.
Listen to the full Podcast to learn more about Gordon Timber, their use of technological innovation, the philosophy of business re-investment, the elimination of wastage, and how they meet the challenge of continuity of raw material supplies.