Timber firm logs profit boost

TIMBER merchant James Donaldson & Son has seen profits rise by nearly a third despite tough times in the housebuilding sector.

The Scottish firm, which owns timber merchant MGM, which has a base in Edinburgh, has seen turnover rise by 30 per cent to £97.41 million.

In a year when the company cemented its position among the elite of the UK timber trade, it saw the number of trading sites increase to 23 while employees increased from 560 to 572.

MGM also achieved sales growth to £30m, up from £16m two years ago.

Neil Donaldson, the firm's chairman, said: "The work that has been done to place us on a solid footing, such as ensuring robust margins, is going to be at the heart of how we grow as a business in what are turbulent conditions."