30/06/05 Scott Timber Expands in Europe

SCOTT Timber, the UK's largest pallet company, is planning massive expansion in Europe and the rest of the UK, according to a recent report. With 16 acquisitions of British suppliers and competitors already completed, the Scotland-based company is hoping to complete another three before the end of the year.

"Through our acquisitions strategy, over 80 per cent of our turnover now comes from England,” said John Scott, managing director. “We have a fairly aggressive plan going forward.” When Scott took over the family business in 1990 at the age of 18, its annual sales were $175,000. Today they top $85 million, with over 500 employees.

Scott Timber has also set up a plant in Latvia for importing timber into the UK with annual sales of around $27 million. “There will be more European expansion and we plan to double our product range," he said.