HIGHLAND timber specialists GMG Energy is set to play a bigger role in Scotland’s construction sector as it secures new stress test wood credentials.
The Halladale-based business has seen three of its senior employees, including Director Malcolm Morrison, secure visual softwood structural grading credentials.
This qualifies the company to supply builders and joinery businesses with the stress tested timber used in housing and commercial property construction projects.
Mr Morrison said: “As a result of securing these credentials, GMG Energy can now stress test wood to reach the highest building standards.
“This, in turn, will lead us into supplying market demand for structural timber from joiners, builders and architects not only in the North of Scotland but throughout the country.
“We are now accredited to apply a unique stamp on specific timber products we manufacture to assure potential customers of its quality and fitness for construction projects.”
GMG Energy’s sawmill manager Vasile Damian and his deputy Adrian Cegielka also underwent the training.
It consisted of a five-day on-site visual grading of softwood certification training and a testing challenge set by accredited training supplier, bmtrada.
Mr Morrison continued: “I’m delighted that all three of us passed our softwood structural grading test at the first attempt.
“The pass mark is 80 per cent and at £1350+ VAT each to undertake the course it’s a significant investment in training for a growing business like ours.”
GMG Energy this year invested £150,000 in sawmill equipment which takes its larger timber and processes it into posts, rail, cladding and purlins, or structural roof members.
It has also recently spent in the region of £100,000 on timber treatment equipment to help open up new markets among construction companies and farm businesses which require treated and stress-tested products.
As a major plank of its business model, the company is committed to replacing every log of timber it uses and plants 10,000 trees a year, which grow to maturity in 35 years.
It far exceeded this target in 2021, planting in the region of 20,000 trees.
