Premier Forest Products in Newport, one of the UK’s leading timber importers and timber product distributors, has been shortlisted for one of the industry’s leading awards.

Out of hundreds of panel products distributors across the UK, Premier Forest Products is one of only four finalists - and the only Welsh contender - for the Timber Trade Journal’s Panels Trader of the Year Award.

The shortlist is chosen by buyers from a broad spectrum of consumers from builders merchants to furniture manufacturers.

Premier Forest Products, part of one of the UK’s leading vertically-integrated timber groups, Premier Forest Group, imports timber products from around the world into its 33,200m2 site in Newport Docks.

Since 1993, Premier has become one of the UK’s leading companies within its sector and has seen further significant growth in recent years.

Joe Walker, managing director of Premier Forest Products, said: “To be nominated as a finalist for this award by our customers, in what is a highly competitive industry, is an honour. Our customers face their own challenges in respect of competition. Value for money, service and efficiency gains from their key suppliers are essential in helping them realise their own business aspirations, so a vote from them is validation of the commitment and effort Premier strives to deliver for its customers. We have a fantastic team and this nomination is a testament to their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months.”

Formed in 1993, Premier Forest Products imports an extensive range of premium, specialist and commodity timber products, including panel products, structural softwoods, hardwoods and fencing as well as providing processing and component manufacturing services and operating two sawmills.

Premier’s customer base is extremely diverse. From its Newport headquarters and operations in Birmingham, Bristol and Uxbridge, the company provides goods and services to the likes of builders merchants, large furniture manufacturers, timber frame construction firms, concrete formworkers, train builders, joiners and shop fitters.

The Premier Forest Group operates from 14 sites within the UK and Ireland and is principally engaged in importation, sawmilling, processing and the distribution of timber and associated products. The group employs more than 300 members of staff.

Through an expansive acquisitions programme, which commenced in 2011, turnover has grown from £53m to a forecast figure of £120m this financial year.