A new advanced timber frame manufacturing facility has opened in Scotland drawing timber from local sawmills and confirming sustained growth for both Alexander Timber Design and its owners Glennon Brothers.
In a landmark moment for Scotland’s manufacturing and construction industries, First Minister of Scotland, the Right Honourable John Swinney MSP, recently officially opened one of the UK’s most technologically advanced timber frame construction facilities.
Operated by Alexander Timber Design (ATD), the company is owned and run by UK & Ireland timber industry leaders, Glennon Brothers. Established in 1913, Glennon Brothers has grown into a major supplier of sawn softwood products for the construction, packaging, fencing, and timber frame housing sectors. The company handles over 1.1 million cubic metres of logs annually, producing more than 550,000 cubic metres of sawn timber.
All of the Troon sawmill supply comes from sustainably managed sources and is FSC certified with around 65% of its total annual intake sourced from within a 75-mile radius of the sawmill. The remaining 35% is delivered in bulk cargo by sea transfer from the Isle of Arran and from Argyll by Timberlink. Sitka spruce makes up 97% of its total supply. The official opening marks a significant leap forward in sustainable building practices and green manufacturing in the UK and Ireland and the £18million investment brings Glennon Brothers’ total investment in Scotland to over €80million.
Innovation and sustainability
ATD’s Irvine facility sets a ‘new European benchmark for innovation, environmental responsibility, and industrial integration’. The cutting-edge manufacturing plant is to become a central hub for timber frame housing innovation across the UK. It combines advanced robotics, precision engineering and the very latest next-generation design systems to deliver high-quality Scottish timber homes while excelling with world-class standards of ‘efficiency, sustainability and resource maximisation’.
Commenting at the launch, First Minister John Swinney said: “Today’s opening is a symbol of the kind of future Scotland is building with high-skilled, high-tech and environmentally responsible next generation industries. This facility brings together sustainable construction, advanced manufacturing and regional economic development, placing Scotland firmly at the forefront of the green industrial revolution. It is an excellent example of the kind of economic opportunities that can exist that can help both grow our county’s economy whilst tackling the climate emergency. Quite simply, it is creating Scottish homes from Scottish timber.”
The ATD business operates in a continuous and sustainable green cycle. Sitka spruce crops are grown in Scotland over a 35-year rotation before being felled to help meet the need for a sustainable supply of timber products. After processing these logs in the Troon sawmill, the company use the best quality C16 construction grade material to build new homes for the Scottish housing market, and all in a state-of-the-art timber frame facility that is only six miles away from the sawmill. Concurrently, the forest site that provided the raw material supply in the first place is being restocked to complete the green cycle.
Mike Glennon, Joint Managing Director of Glennon Brothers said: “This is a very proud day for our company. We’ve always believed in the potential of Scottish timber and in the skilled people who make this industry thrive. With this facility, we’re investing not only in advanced technology, but in Scotland’s sustainable future. We are honoured to have First Minister John Swinney MSP here today to share this very positive story about forestry, timber, and the outstanding economic and environmental benefits from which Scotland can prosper.”
Woodland resources
Glennon Brothers has welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to new woodland creation and target of 18,000 hectares of new planting this year. Commercial conifers are an essential part of the journey towards net zero and are highly efficient at sequestering carbon over shorter rotations, storing carbon in sawn timber products.
“Today’s launch provides a real-world example for governments, developers, and consumers looking for greener alternatives,” added Joint Managing Director Pat Glennon. “This facility offers a tangible example of how the timber industry can lead the transition to a low-carbon economy. It reinforces Scotland’s role as a leader in modern methods of construction (MMC), helping meet the rising demand for energy-efficient, affordable housing.”
As the UK construction industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, the opening of this plant offers a scalable, sustainable solution that aligns with national and international climate goals. Timber frame construction is now widely regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly building techniques available, offering lower embodied carbon, faster build times, and greater energy efficiency. This milestone represents not only a triumph for the two companies and the Scottish economy but is symbolic of what the future of construction can and should look like.
More at: www.glennonbrothers.ie www.alexanderstimberdesign.com
