• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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Innovative Shavings Manufacturer Safeguards the Future of Local Engineering Company

CaptureIt was announced that BEDMAX Ltd, has acquired one of north Northumberland’s leading independent specialist engineering firms. The Belford-based company has agreed terms to take over the business known as J H Wood (JHW), located in Berwick upon Tweed.  Having worked with JHW for a number of years, the acquisition of this engineering company perfectly complements BEDMAX’s highly successful manufacturing business.  More importantly BEDMAX will be safeguarding the future of JHW, which will now be known as JH Wood Ltd.

JHW, which employs ten full time members of staff was originally founded by Jimmy Wood in 1939 in the West End of Tweedmouth. It is a family run engineering business and moved to its present 16,000 square foot purpose built factory in 1978. With a reputation for high standards of work in the agricultural, marine and manufacturing sectors of industry and an extensive customer base, JHW are the largest established engineering and tools suppliers for a wide variety of trades suppliers both sides of the Borders.

The motto of JHW has always been ‘if we haven’t got it, we’ll make it’, and as Tim Smalley, Managing Director of BEDMAX Ltd explains this is a motto they will be keeping:

“The ethos of the company is that no job is impossible, and this is something we are very keen to carry on.  We intend to build on the ability to supply almost anything to do with metal and engineering, and to continue to repair, maintain and build anything the JHW customer wants.  As a company we have used the services of JHW since we started, and as we have an ongoing requirement for specialist engineering services we felt that there was a natural synergy.

“Understandably we are delighted with this acquisition and our aim is to build on the success created by Jimmy Wood and all of the staff.    The staff have a high integrity and a deep knowledge of engineering and engineering ability.  We are fully committed to continuing to invest in both the existing operation and premises at Tweedmouth to ensure future sustainability.

“I thought it vital that the company flourishes, for the good of us, its employees and all its customers. We are here to provide support to a thriving, busy, financially sound engineering company, with deep roots, and we are well placed to help manage it when business circumstances are challenging. It serves us well, and there is no reason that is should not serve us and its other 1400 customers far into the future.”

Operating from three factories across the UK, BEDMAX Ltd, holders of The Queen’s Royal Warrant is a successful and innovative manufacturer of horse bedding and fuel logs. Their market leading products are sold nationally throughout the British Isles, whilst also successfully exporting to Europe, The Gulf and Asia.  Currently employing a total of 55 staff throughout the operation BEDMAX processes in excess of 100,000 tons of timber annually and maintains a strong interest, understanding and considerable experience in engineering.

Commenting on the acquisition Bill Maltman Manager at JHW, who has been with the company for 42 years, said:

“Like BEDMAX, JHW has a very low staff turnover over and has an established team of totally committed staff, and today’s acquisition has future proofed the business and JHW is already preparing for the next stage in its development. Securing the future for this long established engineering company, which has been here since 1939, was paramount, and I am delighted that we can now build on our success and reputation.”

Bill goes on to say: “It is very good to know that the business is going from one family company to another, and from a customer’s point of view there will be total continuity, it really is business as usual.”

Further information about BEDMAX shavings can be found on www.bedmaxshavings.com or by telephone on 01668 213 467.

By admin