Over time, the construction sector in the UK has experienced profound changes. In keeping with that, Mon Timber Engineering, a specialist division within the Premier Forest Products Group, has completed a substantial machinery upgrade at its facility in Newport, South Wales. The strategic investment, centered around a state-of-the-art MiTek Mk8C Frame Press, is immediately yielding substantial returns, increasing the company’s bespoke timber truss production capacity by an impressive 25 per cent.
This surge in capacity is crucial, as the engineered timber products manufactured by Mon Timber—primarily roof trusses and engineered floor joists—are essential components for the vast majority of new domestic and commercial builds across the UK and the West of England. The increased throughput is a direct response to customer demands for faster delivery and better responsiveness in a market pressured by the need to meet ambitious national housing targets.
Nigel McKillop, Commercial Director at Premier Forest Products, emphasised the dual benefit of the investment. “We are delighted to have invested in our engineering division at our Newport site,” he said. “This machinery will not only improve the quality of our trusses but also increase our productivity levels to enable faster lead times and a faster rate of build completions.”
The centerpiece of the upgrade is the MiTek Mk8C Frame Press, a sophisticated truss manufacturing press mounted on an A-beam structure. This advanced equipment automates key elements of the assembly process, where sawn timber pieces are joined together using metal connector plates to form the triangular webbing of a roof truss.
The technical enhancements brought by the new machine go far beyond mere speed, focusing heavily on operational efficiency and environmental sustainability:
- Enhanced precision and quality: The highly engineered system ensures superior dimensional accuracy and joint integrity for every truss produced, directly contributing to the structural quality of new homes.
- Improved safety and ergonomics: Mounted on an A-beam, the press features a walk-through jig, which makes the unloading of finished trusses significantly easier and safer for personnel, streamlining the crucial final step of the manufacturing cycle.
- Reduced carbon footprint: The machine incorporates an innovative automatic start/stop system. This feature minimises running costs by only consuming electricity when actively pressing, dramatically lowering overall energy consumption. Furthermore, the efficiency of the design process, supported by the new technology, allows for the optimal use of sawn timber, reducing material waste. This efficiency directly aligns with the company’s mission to minimise its environmental impact.
“The innovative machine reduces running cost through its automatic start/stop system and the ability to use less material, supporting the company’s mission to reduce its carbon footprint as it lowers electricity consumption to more efficient designs,” the company noted.
The increase in production capacity is timed perfectly to support the pressing demand within the UK housing sector. The UK government has repeatedly stressed the national need to increase the rate of new house construction, and efficient supply chains for key components like roof trusses are paramount to achieving this goal.
Trussed rafters are the dominant form of roof structure in UK residential construction due to their cost-effectiveness, speed of installation, and design flexibility. The ability of Mon Timber Engineering to shorten turnaround times and dispatch products more quickly means that housebuilders across the South Wales and West of England regions can accelerate the completion of the roof structures, which are critical milestones in the overall build schedule.
Nigel McKillop underscored this point, noting, “This supports the UK Government’s agenda to build more houses; the ability to dispatch and sell quicker and more efficiently means houses being built quicker around the country.”
Mon Timber Engineering’s success is bolstered by its membership in the Premier Forest Products Group, a vertically integrated timber operation. This structure, encompassing importation, wholesale distribution, milling, processing, and manufacturing across multiple UK sites, ensures a reliable and robust supply of the high-quality TR26 graded softwood required for truss manufacturing.
Mon Timber Engineering: Historic background
Founded in 1974 and acquired by Premier Forest in 2022, Mon Timber has a long-standing reputation for quality. Its commitment to design excellence was highlighted in 2024 when its work on the Bristol Beacon earned it a finalist spot in the prestigious Wood Awards, which recognise outstanding wood design and craftsmanship.
With strategically located sites in Newport, Cardiff, and Crumlin, Mon Timber is well-placed to service a wide geographical area. This latest investment reinforces Premier Forest’s strategy of diversifying its product portfolio while leveraging technology to drive efficiency and sustainability in the entire wood products industry value chain. The commitment ensures that Mon Timber Engineering remains at the forefront of providing the engineered timber solutions necessary for the UK’s future housing and construction needs.
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