The first logs have now been processed at the state-of-the-art mill, designed for an annual production of 300,000 cubic metres when the site becomes fully operational later on in the year. The expansion is major part of BSW's GBP 50 million ($76 million) company-wide investment programme over a five-year period to 2015.
Since 2008, the Fort William site has benefited from a wide range of infrastructure and plant investment. This has included the introduction of 10 new Mahild kilns and a battery of pressure treatment vessels - as well as two 5MW KIV biomass kiln heating plant and a high-speed planing and grading line.
To complete the current investment phase at the site, the latest in global saw line technology - a Hewsaw SL250 3.4 Trio line integrated with Kallfass sorting and stacking equipment - was installed last year and has since been extended to include an automated horizontal saw, allowing for maximum flexibility.
Marking the commissioning of the new mill after almost four years of development, Tony Hackney, CEO of BSW Timber said: "These are exciting times for BSW Timber and everyone involved in creating a sawmill of genuine world-class standing at Fort William. Great credit must be given to the management team at the mill who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.
"Going for growth is a theme that has driven the strategy for BSW Timber since the 1990s. The development of flexible and high capacity mills with the latest technology to provide first class home grown products is an essential part of the company plans.
"Strategic investments, such as Fort William, are a sign of the confidence in the medium-term that BSW has in the UK market. We are committed to being a highly competitive manufacturer of sawn timber and associated products and are expanding our portfolio of products and capacity to better serve the demands of our customers, as well as strengthening our partnerships with our chosen key suppliers."
BSW Timber is the largest sawmilling business in Great Britain and the company's foundations go back to 1848.
