Lowfield Timber Frames (LTF), part of the SJ Roberts group, is based on the Shropshire/Mid Wales border. It is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of timber framed structures. Lowfield’s currently have over 70 staff and is achieving continuous growth year on year.
Creating a broad spectrum of timber frame buildings from Hotels, large housing developments to one off self-builds allows LTF to appeal to a wide range of customers and accommodate many building needs.
Lowfield’s are long established and pride themselves on the reputation they have built over 18 years within the industry. They offer a high-quality service with excellent attention to detail leading to a high number of repeat customers.
LTF provide the structural design, engineering, manufacturing and erection of your prefabricated timber frame kit, in which a dedicated contracts manager is assigned. They can also offer a supply only package if required. Lowfield’s are also proud Kingspan Tek delivery partners and process many SIP panels and associated timbers for the industry.
Lowfield’s factory consists of 73,000ft2 of bespoke manufacturing floor space. With their latest new building featuring a 22mtr span 5 ton travelling crane.
LTF have never rested on their laurels and are constantly looking at ways to improve their factory processes to ensure the clients get the best quality product possible. This has seen an impressive growth of 63% in annual turnover over the last 5 years.
Due to an increase in Glulam processing, primarily required for larger contracts such Hotels and the processing of associated timbers for the Kingspan TEK system, the decision was made to invest in a state of the art Hundegger SC-3 machine back in 2014.
Darren Jarman, Managing Director of LTF commented “The decision to make the initial investment took quite some time as we were successfully processing the components required using hand tools and the need wasn’t obvious at first. As the structures became more complex the time involved getting all the timbers processed was proving prohibitive and the change was made. What we quickly realised was the other avenues this would open for us and we are now seeing big improvements in all areas of the business”.
To support further expansion, LTF have promptly invested in their second Hundegger machine due to increase in demand and capacity. Darren continued “Whilst the SC-3 has taken the manufacturing time uncertainty out of the complex processing, it’s so busy that we are not getting the benefits for the more repetitive components such as studs and joists, that’s where the turbo drive comes in”.
The Turbo Drive will help speed up cutting times and accuracy of Timber, SIP timbers, Green Oak, I Joists and Kerto. The investment will help LTF keep a highly efficient factory as the number of projects are increasing.
Lowfield Timber Frames are taking full advantage of the growing timber frame industry and is thriving at a time where many are failing. Steady growth and keeping the businesses core values in sight of maintaining a personal, informative relationship with their customers is allowing LTF to succeed.
Email us at enquiries@ltf.uk.com or call 01743 891922 today to talk through your project with a friendly team member.
