Moray firm to expand and create jobs

Moore Timber Company is a small business operating in the Elgin area. The company currently employs two people, but this is expected to double to four as a result of the project.

The company sells a range of hardwood and softwood timber to customers mainly in the Elgin area and provides a mobile milling service. Its ethos is to provide locally sourced timber to local businesses, while working with and promoting sustainable timber use.

Moore’s main source timber is from larch and Douglas fir, both of which are found locally in abundance.

The HIE funding will help cover the costs of a new Sawmill and installing three-phase electric cabling and power supply to the firm’s premises. This will enable Moore Timber to continue servicing its predominantly Moray customer base, while expanding into Highland and across the north of Scotland.

As well as creating two new jobs, the improvements will enhance the company’s environmental credentials and boost annual turnover by around £190,000.

Senior development manager with HIE’s Moray team Steve Richards said:

“Moore Timber is an ambitious small company looking to grow and create new jobs. At the same time, it’s committed to the low carbon agenda and promoting sustainability. This latest expansion project will help strengthen the company’s position as a valuable local employer and contributor to the wider Moray economy. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to offer support and look forward to continuing to work with the company on its growth journey.”

Moore Timber owner Benjamin Moore said:

“This investment itself has sped up development incredibly. Being fully electric has enabled us to reduce running costs and diversify our product range. The new sawmill has increased output to the extent that we have now changed our production system to reduce down time, increase the quality of our products and make better use of our storage spaces.

“As a side effect this has reduced the stress on management! Grants had seemed unattainable for little businesses like ours but HIE provided a route to securing investment and we have now taken on one additional full-time member of staff.”