A SALES boost has prompted a timber products firm to step up production at its Clow’s Top sawmills.

Industry doubts about continuity of supply and poor service levels from foreign producers presented M&M Timber with a welcome hike in sales of its agricultural fencing products.

This month, for the first time in the company’s 30-year history, M&M Timber has introduced a double-shift production pattern to meet a resurgence in demand for its all-British agricultural fencing products.

The timber treatment plant is now working around the clock to keep pace with output that is expected to double over the next year.

Two recent high-volume orders are an indication that customers are already building stocks for the early part of next year, in anticipation of winter and early spring shortages, according to the firm.

Managing director Nigel Poyner said the increase in demand for M&M Timber products in the agricultural and landscaping markets might be also a sign that customers are at last waking up to the “true values” of buying British.

“It’s all a matter of reliability and continuity of supply,” he explained, “British manufacturers are obviously best placed for servicing the needs of UK requirements and apart from generally supporting British industry, there’s also the carbon footprint to consider in importing products that are often inferior to our own.

“Customers should be taking a good look at their buying policies and, if they’re not buying from M&M Timber or any other British supplier for that matter, then what good reason could they possibly have?”

Founded almost 30 years ago, M&M Timber Company Limited manufactures machined round timber and supplies timber products for fencing, landscaping, garden furniture, playground surrounds and play area equipment.

The company is also an associate member of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) and the UKFPA - UK Forestry Products Association.