Barratt Developments plc announced on Thursday the acquisition of Selkirk-based Oregon Timber Frame Limited, one of the UK’s largest timber frame manufacturers.
Oregon Timber Frame operates from factories at its Selkirk base and in Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire, manufacturing more than 2,000 units each year with around 170 employees.
On June 15, Oregon reported that its order intake for the first half of 2019 rose more than 60% compared to this time last year, leading to a new recruitment drive.
“In 2018 Barratt announced new targets of volume growth of 3-5% over the medium term, supported by a target of building at least 20% of its homes using an element of offsite construction, including timber frame, by 2020,” said Barratt.
“Over the last three years, Barratt has built c.5,500 homes using timber frame construction.
“It currently uses timber frame in the majority of residential properties it builds in Scotland and is increasing its use across England and Wales.
“Oregon is one of Barratt’s key timber frame suppliers providing high quality products and excellent customer service.
“Following the acquisition Oregon will remain based in Selkirk, Scotland where its experienced management team will continue to lead the business, complementing the Barratt operations in Scotland.”
Barratt Developments chief operating officer Steven Boyes said: “Barratt is committed to increasing the number of homes we build using offsite construction as part of our overall volume growth aspirations and to mitigate the current skills challenges facing the industry.
“Oregon is the perfect company to help us do that, with a highly experienced management team, a skilled workforce and a high quality product.”
Oregon Timber Frame chairman Rod Lawson said: “We’re very proud of what we have achieved over the last two decades, building a successful company with a fantastic workforce.
“Now we welcome the next chapter with Barratt who are as committed to quality as we are and have exciting plans for the future of both of our businesses.”
In April 2018, Oregon Timber Frame completed a buy-out of its non-management shareholders including the 15% stake in the business held by its largest external shareholder Archangel Investors, the Edinburgh-based business angel investment syndicate.
The move ended a near 20 year relationship between Oregon and Archangels