Timloc finds the space to boost growth

Managing director Michael Leaf said developing new residential ventilation products would be key to the expansion of the Goole-based firm.

The company, which has both a manufacturing site and a warehousing site in the town, produces and distributes specialist building supplies,

Last year it launched its Aero range, a modular ventilator system to prevent condensation and mould growth throughout the home. Mr Leaf said the technical team was developing more products this year in response to demand for improved ventilation as the insulation and air tightness of houses increases.

The company, which is part of the Alumasc Group, is in the process of moving its warehouse from its 20,000 sq ft Nielsen Road site in Goole to a four-acre site with 45,000 sq ft warehouse and office in New Potter Grange Road, also in the town. The move will add nine new loading bays and increase the number of pallet spaces from 750 to 1,150.

Timloc, which employs 50 staff in total, has spent £200,000 fitting out the building, which will employ around 10 staff.

Mr Leaf, who joined the company last July, said: “The business was outgrowing the existing warehouse, where it had been for six years. Sales have been growing year-on-year since 2009 and we have plans to substantially grow this year.”

Timloc produces around 300 products including pre-formed cavity trays, roof and wall ventilation products and loft access doors along with many other building components.

Its customers include major building merchants and housebuilders, including Jewson, Grafton and Persimmon.

Mr Leaf said: “We were affected back in 2008 when house building stopped in the UK but since then we have seen growth. We kept our sales force during that period and I feel that has enabled us to gain market share.

“In the last 18 months there has been a shift from building flats to family homes, which has also helped.”

The company, which created five new manufacturing jobs last year, has seen an increase in demand for access panels for boilers ahead of new regulations by the Health and Safety Executive. In addition, there has been a rise in demand for loft access doors following the increase in the number of family homes being built.

As part of its growth plans, the company is also planning to invest in new automation equipment for its manufacturing site, although Mr Leaf declined to say how much it would spend.

In the longer term it is looking to expand overseas in the US and Middle East.

“This year is going to be a promising year for us,” Mr Leaf said. “We are taking new products to market and now we have got a new warehouse to support our expansion plans.”

Alumasc’s revenues for the year to June 30, 2011 stood at £106.8m, up from £87.5m in 2010 due to a growth in blue-chip customers and emerging market demand for construction and mining. Alumasc said its building products division, which includes Timloc, had grown 10 per cent to a £71.2m turnover. However, operating profit in the division was down from £5.4m to £3.9m.

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