Forestry firm Scottish Woodlands hails profit jump
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Scottish Woodlands, which is based in Edinburgh with offices across Scotland and in the rest of the UK, said it is marking the milestone with an anniversary book and planting a celebration woodland of 50 trees at Crieff Hydro, a long-standing client of the business.
It said the book tells the story of the firm, which is unique in being 80 per cent owned by its 140-plus employees, and covers its management buy-outs in 1986 and 2005.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, its full-year results to 30 September showed turnover up almost £1 million to £70m, with profits jumping to £1.6m from £1.3m.
Managing director Ralland Browne said: “It is striking how our own history has mirrored that of forestry in Scotland.
“We became a commercial company in 1967, the year of the last Forestry Act – and, as we turn 50, a new Forestry Bill is coming before the Scottish Parliament… the company and the wider forestry and wood-processing industry are both in good health in 2017, and we are optimistic for the future, with a strong focus on driving up tree planting rates.”
Scottish Woodlands chairman Tom R Bruce-Jones, also joint MD of sawmiller James Jones & Sons, said that in Scotland politically “there appears to be a focus on new planting and restocking, and it is hoped this impetus will continue as well as providing the platform for stronger investor confidence in forestry”.