There is no doubt that 2025 has been a volatile year across the wider economy. Buyer confidence has been under pressure, and many areas of the construction and home improvement industry have felt the impact. Against that backdrop, I am proud to say that Southgate Timber achieved 7.5% growth in turnover compared to 2024. That growth is a direct result of careful planning, strong stock positions, a varied sales strategy and the commitment of our team.

Sourcing timber has not been without its challenges this year. Certain species, particularly high demand hardwoods such as Ipe, have been harder to secure. Rather than allowing that to restrict us, we have invested heavily in alternatives to ensure we can continue to meet demand while maintaining that high performance standard our customers expect.

Our thermally modified range has been a standout success. Products such as Thermo Ayous, Thermowood Pine and Thermo Ash have proven increasingly popular, with demand continuing to grow. In particular, we have seen a strong shift towards strong performing, budget friendly options, with Thermowood Pine becoming a go to choice for many customers who want durability, stability and value.

Larch as a species continues to raise questions for customers following the long-term disruption to historic supply routes. Many people remain unsure about alternatives such as European or Canadian sourced Larch. Education and transparency have been key here, helping customers understand what is available today and how these materials perform in real world projects.

Like many in the industry, we have seen growing competition from composite products. However, timber continues to stand the test of time. For regular users especially, timber remains the most trusted option, valued for its performance, repairability and natural appearance.

We have also felt pressure from a growing number of start up businesses offering timber through websites with little or no physical stock or overheads. While this has added competition, it has also highlighted our strengths. Our depth of stock, experienced customer support and fast, reliable delivery service continue to set us apart and reinforce our position as market leaders.

While many general building trade suppliers have been hit hard by reduced homeowner investment, our broader strategy has worked well. Larger stock volumes, a wide range of products across different budgets and a strong attention to detail have helped us counter the challenges facing the trade.

The industry itself is changing. More independent timber merchants are closing or being absorbed by larger groups, often leaving customers with generic supplier options and less specialist knowledge. Southgate Timber remains firmly committed to offering expertise, interest and specialist products that larger chains often overlook.

This year has also seen a renewed investment in social media, with Christian joining the team and making such progress in a short space of time, providing our customers with a variety of both informative, and entertaining videos. Working with influencers and supporting local charities has significantly increased our brand awareness across social platforms, and this is only the beginning.

Giving back to the community continues to be one of our core objectives. We are proud to regularly support charities such as St Clare Hospice, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Parkinson’s Disease charities, alongside local causes including Enfield Town Ladies Under 14s football team, ODAS Ongar Fishing Club and Ronnie Smith’s ongoing motorsport journey.

Internally, the past twelve months have been about strengthening our foundations. Staff training, investment in new machinery, improvements in health and safety and the opening of our new showroom have all been completed, putting us in a stronger position than ever as we move forward.

Our loyalty scheme for landscapers and trade customers has been particularly well received. With over 500 businesses now signed up and ordering regularly, it reinforces our belief in winning repeat business through better service and a better customer experience than our competitors offer.

None of this would be possible without the people behind the business. I would like to personally thank our entire team for their commitment and professionalism, with special recognition to Perry for warehouse leadership, Lizzy as sales manager and Matt overseeing transportation. Their leadership and dedication continue to drive the business forward.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we enter our 42nd year of trading, we do so on the front foot. Staying ahead of our rivals remains a strong motivation for the entire team. We never stand still. Plans are already in motion for further development of our website, with a focus on easier navigation, a more modern look and improved functionality to better serve our customers.

Video content will be given greater priority, with more fun and informative videos planned. Customers consistently engage more with visual content, and we want to meet them where they are.

Brand awareness will continue to grow through social media and influencer partnerships, alongside an expanded product range. In 2026 we will introduce more new products than ever before, offering greater choice across more budgets while maintaining our focus on high performing timbers.

Above all, we remain committed to our core values. Swift, personal service, genuine expertise and valuing every customer who chooses to do business with us. Thank you for joining us on our journey. We truly appreciate the hard work of our reliable staff and the continued support of our customers. We look forward to welcoming you into 2026 and beyond.