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There were celebrations at James Donaldson Timber Ltd (JDT) last week as student placement Charlotte Owen won first prize at an award ceremony in Edinburgh.

Charlotte has been working with JDT for the past two months through the Bright Green Placement scheme, looking into the energy usage and carbon emissions of the business. The placement is run across Scotland by The Business Partnership Ltd, and culminates in an award ceremony to honour the most enterprising student.

After competing against 12 students for the regional awards in August, Charlotte made it into the national final at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 6 September along with six other students from across Scotland. Following a presentation and exhibition to a panel of judges, Charlotte was awarded with ‘Most Enterprising Environmental Student 2011’ by Stewart Stevenson, MSP, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.

During her placement, Charlotte’s objective was to reduce the company’s energy consumption and carbon emissions, predominantly through developing a monitoring and targeting system to highlight the peaks and troughs of energy usage. Through her investigations, Charlotte identified that she could save the company 20[ ]][%]] on electricity bills, reduce paper waste by 4.5 tonnes and reduce its carbon emissions by 210 tonnes per year.

Charlotte explains:

“It was my intention that with an effective monitoring system, well researched recommendations and a voluntary ‘Green Team’, the company could make positive changes that would be welcomed and supported by its employees well into the future.

“I was absolutely delighted to win the national final of the Environmental Placement Programme. This has been one of the most learning intensive and valuable experiences of my life. Before my placement I had the passion and interest for sustainability and energy reduction as well as the skills to think analytically and problem solve. My placement has since given me the technical knowledge to carry out energy and carbon monitoring and assess the feasibility of a number of engineering and technical measures to reduce energy consumption. I’ve learnt a lot; I feel like I’ve had a positive impact on the company, and I’ve also had a great time.”

Donaldson’s Integrated Systems Manager, Mark Murphy comments:

”Charlotte far exceeded what was expected of her in her role, and has been a real asset to the company over the last two months. We’re extremely pleased and proud that she won the national award, and that her hard work has been recognised.

“As a company dedicated to managing the impact we have on the environment, we are always looking for new ways to perform our business in a more environmentally-responsible manner. I will be taking over Charlotte’s report and will ensure that where possible the company follows her recommendations. We wish her all the best in her future role.”

Since starting her placement, Charlotte has been offered a job with Kent County Council Highway Transportation Graduate Stream, where she will be planning new infrastructure developments, public transport and non-vehicular modes of transport. 

James Donaldson & Sons Ltd has announced its end of year results, with turnover up by 20[%] to almost £100M. 

Turnover for the year to March 2011 reached £97.3m, with the company achieving a profit before tax of £2.018m; up 228[%] from last year’s figures.

Excellent cash flow management has also reduced net debt to just £1.25M, which equates to a record low gearing ratio for the Group, of just 18[%].

Executive Chairman of the Donaldson Group, Mr Neil Donaldson comments:

“It is very pleasing to report that our turnover almost made the £100M mark, and we’re delighted to have performed so well when trading conditions remain incredibly challenging. 2010/11 was a huge year for us, as we celebrated many milestones within the company - notably our 150th anniversary and the appointment of Scott Cairns as Managing Director.”

Commenting on the trading operations for the year, Managing Director of the Donaldson Group, Scott Cairns said:

“2010/11 was truly a year of ‘two halves’ in terms of market activity. April to September saw trade reach its strongest level for several years; however, October to February was among the hardest trading months I can recall. Nevertheless, March 2011 saw a positive seasonal swing, and it was welcoming to see all of the subsidiary businesses finishing off the year on a high note.”

All four subsidiary companies within the Donaldson Group outperformed from last year. Hardwood specialist Parker Kislingbury Ltd delivered a strong performance with a modest rise in sales; engineered wood products manufacturer Donaldson Timber Engineering Ltd saw a return to profitability following two years of losses, and both timber merchant MGM Timber (Scotland) Ltd and timber importer and processor James Donaldson Timber Ltd returned record sales and strong profitability.

Leading hardwood timber importer and processor Parker Kislingbury (PK), is proud to announce the launch of its brand new website at www.pk-brill.co.uk.

As a business, PK focuses on high quality products and unrivalled customer service, which is reflected in the site’s sharp, contemporary design and user-friendly content. The site is jam-packed full of up to date information including details on the full range of PK products, PK’s environmental credentials and the company’s 50 year history.

Rob Wilbore, Managing Director of Parker Kislingbury Ltd comments:

“I am delighted with our new website. It not only provides all the information a potential or existing customer might require, but also portrays an excellent image of the business, allowing customers to see a true reflection of our dedication to quality and service.

“We aim to keep the site fresh and informative, so it will be regularly updated with new information on our products, services and developments. We sincerely hope our customers like it as much as we do.”

PK is part of James Donaldson & Sons Ltd, one of the UK's largest independent timber groups. PK supplies a wide range of beautiful, hardwearing and competitively priced hardwood products, including: sawn hardwood timber, hardwood flooring, worktops, doors, wood floors, cladding, engineered timber sections and custom-machined mouldings.

Employees at James Donaldson & Sons Ltd had an incredible completion to their exhausting but rewarding 2000Km cycle on 7 July, as they accomplished their goal of cycling around all 24 of the Donaldson branches throughout Britain.

The most remarkable effort was made by Alan Sinclair, a retired member of staff and non-executive director, who cycled the whole 2,000km in under three weeks. This enviable level of fitness was admired by the younger cyclists who took a relay approach to the journey - which even in small doses was a tasking voyage.

After a demanding three weeks, Alan still had enough energy left for a party at the finish line located at the Donaldson’s sawmill in Leven. Here Alan and the final ‘Team Donaldson’ cyclists were greeted fondly by a large crowd cooling them down with showers of champagne as they crossed the finish line.

Speaking about the experience Alan commented: “For me personally, the most outstanding aspect is the sense achievement. I worked out that including my two months of training I cycled over 1800 miles in three months! And I think one of the most incredible things is that I didn’t get a single puncture!

“Crossing the finish line was the best feeling ever. As I made the descent into the sawmill and saw everyone waiting it was absolutely breath-taking – and a really emotional moment for me. Looking back over the experiences I had, it was all absolutely amazing. The plans worked extremely well, and I think it was as good as it could possibly have been – if not better. Plus it was great fun! It’s fantastic to be back home though, I’m very glad not to have to get up and on to a bike every morning.”

Commenting on his fellow Team Donaldson cyclists, Alan said: “All of the Donaldson’s employees who participated were incredible and were a great support along the way. I think the best thing to have come out of the cycle (apart from the money we raised for Columba 1400) is that the employees who are not experienced cyclists amazed themselves, finding they could cycle much further than they expected. Seeing their feelings of pride and achievement at the end of each leg was truly inspirational, and I really hope it inspires them to keep up with the cycling.”

As well as promoting healthier lives for employees, the Donaldson Challenge also proved a success for team morale, with Donaldson employees full of praise for their fellow cyclists and cycle support teams. Furthermore, every single cyclist to have completed a leg of the challenge cited meeting employees from other branches; the support at each branch; and the company of their colleagues on the cycle as real highlights of their experience.

Over £6,000 has currently been raised for charity Columba 1400, with sponsorship still coming in.

It was pedals away for our first load of cyclists today, as the Donaldson Challenge 2011 began.

Donaldson’s Alan Sinclair, and Crown Timber’s Jeremy English and Anthony Burridge set off at 9:30 this morning from Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE) Ashford, making their way across to DTE Andover, with an overnight stop in Horsham.

Our keen cyclists have so far clocked up an impressive 42 miles, with a further 30 to go before they reach their destination for the evening.

Speaking from outside a pub, enjoying a much-deserved lunch break, Alan said:

“We’re currently sitting outside a pub in reasonable sunshine, which is wonderful. We’ve been extremely fortunate, with a light head-wind and no rain so far; it’s just a little muggy. Our aim is to get to Horsham before 5pm when a huge downpour is forecast – ideally we’d like to be inside by the time the rain hits! However, we have our waterproofs, so we’re ready for it!

“We’re having a great time so far - we’ve made excellent headway this morning and we had an absolutely fantastic send off from DTE Ashford. Lee Kent and his team were outstanding; we couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Challenge. Huge thanks to them all for their support – it really boosted our spirits and got us ready for the challenge ahead!"

So far, so good! Keep coming back for more updates and pictures from the cyclists!

Employees at timber specialist James Donaldson & Sons Ltd are counting down to a huge company event at the end of this month, as they set out to cycle 2,000km (1,223 miles) around the UK, via every operating branch within the Donaldson Group.

The gruelling cycle will go around all 23 branches of the Donaldson Group, from Kent in the South of England, up to Inverness, and back down the East of Scotland to finish in Fife, where the company was founded in 1860.

The cycle is being taken mostly as a relay challenge, with employees joining in to cycle their ‘leg’ of the tour, however retired Donaldson’s employee and non-executive director Mr Alan Sinclair will be cycling the entire route in under three weeks!

Starting on 20 June, 26 valiant Donaldson employees and friends are taking part in the challenge as a relay, accompanying Alan on his journey around the branches; starting at the Donaldson Timber Engineering branch in Ashford, Kent and finishing at the James Donaldson Timber sawmill in Leven, Fife.

The aim of the cycle is to raise £20,000 for Columba 1400, in connection with Donaldson’s company charity, the Donaldson Leadership Academy. Columba 1400 is a renowned social enterprise and charity, with a focus on young people who come from challenging backgrounds. Columba 1400 recognises the tough realities and restrictive environments in which many young people operate and the limited employment opportunities they face - these are often the young people who are the hardest to reach and those so often excluded.

 Executive Chairman of James Donaldson & Sons Ltd, Mr Neil Donaldson comments:

“Columba 1400's residential programmes, followed by ongoing support, are designed to give young people the strength and courage to find their own unique voice - and to use that voice to inspire the families and communities they return to. By raising money for this charity we are making a real and significant difference to a number of young people’s lives.

“We set up the Donaldson Leadership Academy to mark our 150^th anniversary to aid Columba 1400 in their truly fantastic work, and having been involved in the charity and witnessed the work they do, it’s a cause very close to my heart, and one we are very passionate about within the company.

“My wife and I are signed up to cycle two legs between MGM Timber’s Glasgow branch and MGM’s Inverness branch, which is a substantial 100 miles (and mostly up-hill!). Along with the endurance test ahead of us all, cycling over 100 miles in the Scottish summer is certainly going to have many challenges along the way, with the changeable weather and swarms of midgeys – not to mention the saddle-soreness!! Any support people can offer for this experience would therefore be very much appreciated."

If you would like to support the Donaldson Challenge, you can donate online through the ‘Just Giving’ page at http://www.justgiving.com/TeamDonaldson where you can also see a video of how your money can make a difference to the young people involved.

The cycle takes in seven branches of Donaldson Timber Engineering, two branches of James Donaldson Timber Ltd, the Parker Kislingbury branch in Buckinghamshire, 13 branches and the head office of MGM Timber (Scotland) Ltd, and the James Donaldson & Sons head office in Markinch, Fife.

Find out more:

Facebook: ‘Donaldson Challenge 2011’

Twitter: @JDonaldsonGroup

Fife-based timber specialist, James Donaldson & Sons Ltd is delighted to announce that as of 1 April 2011, Mr Scott Cairns will be taking over as Managing Director.

Mr Cairns has worked for Donaldson's for 15 years, during which time he has shown exemplary leadership skills and has been instrumental in developing both James Donaldson Timber Ltd and more recently MGM Timber (Scotland) Ltd to be the market leaders they are today.

Mr Neil Donaldson has been Managing Director of the company for the last 25 years, and will now assume the role of Executive Chairman. Neil will be mentoring Scott to help him deliver business growth without compromising the ethos or culture of Donaldson's; however Scott will be responsible for the trading performance of all companies within the Group.

Mr Donaldson explains:

"I often wonder how Donaldson's has survived 150 years and so many other similar businesses fell by the wayside. Good people are of course a necessity, as well as being able to make the most out of whatever opportunities are presented to us. However, I believe the other key ingredient is the ability to plan for succession whenever that time is right. I believe that time is now.

"Over the last 25 years we have come a long way, growing the business from being a small Scottish company to now being a national player with turnover of £100M and 600 employees. I am keen for this growth to continue and to that end I believe that a new Managing Director is required.

"Scott is keen and excited about the opportunity this offers him and also the challenges that he will no doubt have to face up to. This is an exciting time for the Group and we must embrace this transition with open arms. I would like to wish Scott well in this new position and I look forward to working more closely with him in the future."

Timber specialist James Donaldson & Sons Ltd is delighted to announce the appointment of Rowena McBlane as Director for Human Resources.

Rowena has worked in HR for most of her career and for the past three and a half years has worked as Group HR Manager for one of Donaldson's largest suppliers, BSW Timber Ltd.

Prior to BSW, Rowena worked for North Lanarkshire Council and spent ten years working in the Security industry in London.

Originally from Dunfermline, Rowena studied History and Politics at the University of Aberdeen. She is a Chartered Fellow of CIPD and is trained in Occupational/Psychometric Testing. In her spare time she enjoys Ceroc and tai-chi.

Chief Executive and Chairman of Donaldson's, Neil Donaldson comments:

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome Rowena to the team. We believe that her excellent HR skills and experience, coupled with her knowledge of the timber industry will prove to be a real asset to the company. I wish Rowena every success in her new role.

Fife-based timber specialist, James Donaldson & Sons Ltd is celebrating after winning three awards within one week.

Donaldson's scooped two awards at the Fife Business Awards on 11 November, including the prestigious award for 'Outstanding Business Achievement of the Year'. The company also won the award for 'Best Business and Education Partnership' for work undertaken with local schools Kirkland High School and Buckhaven High School for the Donaldson Leadership Academy charity.

The two local business awards came after the company won Family Business of the Year at a national award ceremony in London last week, held by leading resource centre for the family business community, Family Business Place.

Chief Executive and Chairman of James Donaldson & Sons Ltd, Mr Neil Donaldson comments on the success:

"We are astounded to have won not just one, but three awards in the space of a week. We're a family business with a family ethos which extends to our local community, so to have won awards for our status as a family business, as well as for our impact on the local community is a real honour, and something which means a great deal to us.

"We're particularly delighted that our work with local young people through the Donaldson Leadership Academy has been recognised and we are incredibly humbled to have won the Outstanding Business Achievement of the Year award. The award came as a huge surprise, but we are proud that our success in our 150th year has been acknowledged.

"There is a fantastic business community in Fife, with some truly great local, national and global companies, and we are proud to be a part of that."

Fife-based timber specialist, James Donaldson & Sons Ltd has been awarded Family Business of the Year 2010 by leading resource centre for the family business community, Family Business Place.

Donaldson's was awarded the Red Ribbon Family Business Award at the 'Family Ties' 2010 conference held at The Royal Institution of Great Britain in London on 4th November 2010.

Donaldson's beat a shortlist of national companies to win the award which is selected based on performance and achievement and the promotion of the family business in the way they operate.

Director of Family Business Place, Paul Andrews, explains why James Donaldson & Sons were awarded this prestigious award:

"We have seen some wonderful family businesses apply for the Red Ribbon Awards but none promote the beliefs and values of family business quite like James Donaldson & Sons. Not only are they a pillar of the local community, but are also proud ambassadors of the family business community itself."

Sponsored by Westwood Trustees, the Family Business of the Year award had an overwhelming number of entries from across the UK. Andrew Donaldson collected the award on behalf of the company. He comments:

"Both our family and business values are reflected in the work that we do and we're delighted that our efforts have been recognised. We're very proud to have retained our independence as a family controlled business for 150 years, and to win Family Business of the Year is a real honour."