The contract guarantees a supply of 600,000 cubic metres of larch over ten years from the Welsh Government’s woodland estate. This is alongside existing contracts with BSW to supply 700,000 cubic metres of spruce over the same time period.
The contract, a mix of roadside (pre-felled trees) and standing timber will help provide stability for the industry and enable it to develop new markets for felled larch trees.
The larch being felled is one of the largest forestry operations ever mounted in Wales to slow down the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, a disease which has infected over six million trees in Wales.
BSW Timber’s Chief Executive Tony Hackney said: “This long-term supply deal is a significant vote of confidence in BSW Timber and the Welsh timber industry. It allows us to plan for the future with a strong focus on market needs and requirements, enabling us in turn to invest with confidence in the development of our mill at Newbridge-on-Wye.
“Increased capacity will mean more shifts and more jobs for the area, and the ten-year supply guarantee will allow us to continue invest in developing the site, reinforcing our pledge to maximise our supply and production of home-grown timber.”
BSW Timber is the largest sawmilling business in Great Britain.
