The acquisition secures the future delivery of home-grown British trees to the UK forest industry. It also immediately benefits the quality tree supply to the whole of the forest industry through Maelor’s forthcoming expansion into Morayshire, which will provide the facilities to bring an additional 5 to 10 million plants into the supply chain annually.
Completion of the transaction also sees Maelor able to progress with its visionary expansion plans, which include its renowned scientific research work. The foundations for this work have been supported over many years by the close working relationship with Tilhill Forestry, also part of the BSW Group.
The Burges Salmon team that advised BSW Timber was led by Corporate team partner Danny Lee, with support from director Joanna Monaghan.
Danny says: “BSW Timber has been a client for over twenty years. In fact, my first ever corporate deal was for them back in 1998 so it is fitting that this is our first deal at Burges Salmon since joining the firm in May. We’re really pleased to have advised BSW on this particular transaction, which is so significant for the entire forest industry because it ensures the high quality supply of trees for many years to come.”
Alan Milne, CFO at BSW Timber Ltd, concludes: “We know Danny very well and are delighted to have had him and Joanna as our trusted legal advisers on this exciting, strategic acquisition.”
BSW Timber Group is the largest integrated forestry business in the UK. It is a family-owned business that has four main operating divisions: forestry, sawmilling, timber manufacturing and energy.
Maelor Forest Nurseries Limited is located at Fields Farm, Bronington on the Welsh Borders. It was independently owned and produces an extensive range of commercial forestry and native broadleaf species, marketing approximately 30 million trees a year to customers throughout the UK and Europe.