Woodmarque specialist joinery manufacturer has acquired Bristol-based Doorlining.com Ltd for an undisclosed sum in a move that is set to drive growth and increase capacity.
Woodmarque managing director, Ronan Quinn, said the acquisition of Doorlining.com Ltd, which had been a long-standing part of the company’s supply chain, would bring a host of major strategic benefits.
He said: “As well as giving us an additional 30,000 sq ft of manufacturing space in Bristol with 20 staff, the purchase will give us a key strategic presence just two hours from London, where our biggest market is located. There will also be considerable benefits for our carbon footprint and in terms of our overall efficiency.”
Established in January 2003, Doorlining.com Ltd describes itself as a leading manufacturer of made to measure Door Linings, Frames, Screens and Doorsets in the UK.
Woodmarque has embarked on a measured growth strategy growing its manufacturing facility in Dungannon from 50,000sq ft in 2019 to 130,000 sq ft, with employment numbers doubling and turnover increasing six-fold in the past decade. The firm works mainly in the commercial sector for contractors and developers working on residential developments, office fitouts and hospitality.
Leading specialist joinery manufacturer Woodmarque has revealed plans to develop their factory, infrastructure and machinery to potentially create 150 new jobs over the next five years.
The Dungannon based company are one of the leading specialist fire door manufacturers in the UK and Ireland and have recorded significant growth over the last four years. Woodmarque which is owned and operated by the Quinn family was established in 1977 and currently employs 58 staff. This investment could see their workforce grow by 30 staff per annum over the next five years.
The specialist joinery firm currently works in the Hospitality, Residential, Office & Retail sectors supplying turn-key joinery solutions including fire doors, panelling, case goods and specialist joinery to a range of clients in the construction sector. Recently completed projects include Intercontinental O2 Hotel, London, Lots Road Power Station on Chelsea Waterfront and Dublin Landings Apartments along North Wall Quay.
This investment will also see the development of a further 100,000 square feet of factory and storage warehousing on the site, coupled with a research & development centre and an Apprenticeship Key Skills area.
Announcing the proposed investment Ronan Quinn, Managing Director, Woodmarque, said:
“We have worked hard to forge relationships with key clients and grow our business, particularly into export markets resulting in sustained growth in recent years.’’
“As part of our five-year growth strategy, we are now looking to extend our facilities and grow our team. Our plans include doubling our current floor space, this will enable us to develop new and existing products and seek additional business opportunities across other sectors.”
“The Grenfell Tower tragedy has resulted in huge refurbishment schemes across the UK, in particular London. As a leading Fire Door manufacturer this has led to increased demand for our fire door & screen products as many councils seek to refurbish and upgrade their buildings.”
“We are committed to innovation as a means of driving future growth in the company and this investment aligned with R&D and testing will be key in development of products and processes.”
Ronan continued: “This investment represents a real boost for the local workforce and will provide excellent opportunities for apprentices, graduates and experienced professionals who want to make their mark in a growing company.’’
Woodmarque will commence a consultation into their planned development over the coming weeks ahead of a full planning application.
Woodmarque in Dungannon has been given ‘exemplar’ status to honour high levels of innovation and collaboration between a company, a graduate and an academic institution as part of InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost programme. It was the only business from Northern Ireland to receive the accreditation. Alan Morrow, assistant director for
InterTradeIreland, said: “Woodmarque’s success is a great example of what the Innovation Boost programme is about – giving firms the tools to boost their business though innovative collaboration.”
“Covid-19 has caused issues for many firms, but innovation is way you can unlock growth. You can also directly address challenges in your business by harnessing programmes like Innovation Boost to help you solve problems. It can even help you to anticipate future obstacles and mitigate them. It will assist you to develop solutions.”
Through the Innovation Boost initiative, Woodmarque employed graduate, Sean McKenna and benefited from the services and support of the University of Limerick. They set about finding uses for wood waste, a by-product of Woodmarque’s work.
Managing director Ronan Quinn said: “We’ve been in business for over 40 years, and know our industry inside and out. We specialise in hotels and apartments and projects that we have worked on include the Chelsea Waterfront in London and the North Wall Quay in Dublin.
“However, this is the first time we have ever worked with someone in academia. It’s been eye-opening, in applying innovative research to industry. It brings together the best of both skill sets and helps take an idea and actually turn it into reality.”
Mr Morrow added: “The programme is also an indication of areas in which forward thinking SMEs want to build more expertise. For example, Woodmarque is looking at the area of sustainability, which is very high up the business agenda. Other winners this year include firms that have used Innovation Boost to gain more experience in robotics.”
Belfast Telegraph
At Woodmarque, we’ve always invested in our people,processes and technology. Our established, successful and still growing business has been founded on a tradition of quality craftsmanship that embraces the latest technology to produce the highest quality products. We’ve also always drawn on a strong tradition of apprenticeship to grow our skills, knowledge and expertise.
Our Academy is our investment in the future and demonstrates our commitment to growing exceptional talent and supporting worthwhile, rewarding careers. Along the way, we’re also addressing the issues associated with traditional apprenticeships where hands-on work experience and learning can be disjointed.
In just 2 years, students can achieve advanced qualifications in Wood Machining and Digital Design manufacture and the skills essential for future employment.
By giving our apprentices full-time, on site learning, we provide a seamless experience that enables better progress and creates well-rounded craftspeople who are capable of building a world-class career.
Inspiring future generations with industry led education.
For more information about the Woodmarque Academy call +44 (0)28 8772 4807
Situated along Dublin’s North Wall Quay, Dublin Landings is one of Dublin’s most iconic new developments. Working
alongside well renowned developer Ballymore, Woodmarque manufactured and installed 707no. fitted wardrobes across this 1 million square feet development which overlooks the River Liffy. Woodmarque also completed specialist joinery & panelling to concierge front of house areas in all of the Apartment blocks.
Woodmarque rapidly completed installation on site making use of the unique quick fit clip connection system allowing all joinery to be delivered to site in flat pack and quick assembly on site. 3D digital technology was used to survey the site which transfers seamlessly to their computer aided manufacturing systems, increasing productivity and accuracy from site measure to site installation.
Woodmarque has revealed plans for an £8 million investment to develop their factory, infrastructure and machinery and to create 150 new jobs over the next five years.
This investment will also see the development of a further 100,000 square feet of factory and storage warehousing on the site, coupled with a research and development centre and an Apprenticeship Key Skills area.
Announcing the proposed investment Ronan Quinn, managing director of Woodmarque, said: “We have worked hard to forge relationships with key clients and grow our business, particularly into export markets resulting in sustained growth in recent years.
As part of our five-year growth strategy, we are now looking to extend our facilities and grow our team. We plan to double our current floor space which will enable us to develop new and existing products and seek further business opportunities across other sectors.
The additional warehouse and storage space will also help to make our business more resilient allowing us to store more production materials and completed product.
This will help to provide certainty to clients and help protect against any negative supply chain problems caused by Brexit.” The Grenfell Tower tragedy has resulted in huge refurbishment schemes across the UK, in particular in London. As a leading fire door manufacturer this has led to increased demand for our fire door and screen products as many councils seek to refurbish and upgrade their buildings. We are committed to innovation as a means of driving future growth in the company and this investment aligned with R&D and testing will be key in development of products and processes.
This investment represents a real boost for the local workforce and will provide excellent opportunities for apprentices, graduates and experienced professionals who want to make their mark in a growing company.
Woodmarque will begin a consultation into their planned development over the coming weeks ahead of a full planning application.
