3 Job Opportunities

Are you looking for a new opportunity? Well we have four different openings for enthusiastic people, in different parts of our business.

SKILLED FENCE ERECTOR Required – PRO FENCING Farnham/Petersfield/Midhurst areas

We require a proven Fence Erector for our busy fencing department. Working out of the Farnham site, the team will be working normally within a 40 mile radius of Farnham. Working on new build sites and domestic work. CSCS cards are preferable, but can be obtained once employed.

Refreshed on  16/08/2016

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FENCE ERECTORS MATE/LABOURER Required – PRO FENCING Farnham/Petersfield/Midhurst areas

We require an energetic person to pair up with a skilled fence erector for our busy fencing department. Working out of the Farnham site, the team will be working normally within a 40 mile radius of Farnham. Working on new build sites and domestic work. CSCS cards are preferable, but can be obtained once employed.

Refreshed on  16/08/2016

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FULL TIME WOODWORKING WORKSHOP ASSISTANT

We are looking for someone who is a practical person, good with their hands and a bonus if you are already interested in the woodworking industry. Carpentry skills are a bonus. You will be learning to use various woodworking machinery and processes.

Refreshed on  16/08/2016

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For all of these adverts call 01798 861611 for more details. CV’s to jobs@wlwest.co.uk

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Don’t forget, for all of your hardwood and joinery softwood requirements…………………

Call our Sales Team on 01798 861611 or email: sales@wlwest.co.uk

Sustainability – Do we understand it?

Sustainable?

One of the Oxford English dictionary definitions of  ‘Sustainable’ is ‘Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level’. But what does that mean in the timber industry?

Timber is a sustainable product, we all know that. It can grow again given robust forestry practises. However, lets take the European Oak – Quercus Robur, a staple in the construction and furniture industry in North Western Europe. It is sustainable, but not necessarily in larger sizes and lengths. The Oak, as we all know has a very long life cycle, saplings planted in 2016 probably will not be ready for harvest of a good size until 2116!!! So sustainable yes, but over a long period. Wide diameter and long logs may not be available indefinitely.

Why, you ask am I rabbiting on about this? Well, in my view when we talk about ‘Sustainable’ those of us in the timber industry – from Forester to Carpenter and every process in-between, should all be making the absolute most of the timber that we are using.

I see the word ‘Sustainable or Sustainable supply’ on nearly all timber related websites, whether supplier or customer. Do we use the word without thinking about what it means? Why do we see timber returned for the smallest of knots or character? Where have the skills in carpentry, joinery and cabinet making gone? Our forbear craftsmen, many of which are in their 90’s or not now with us, would have been able to look at the piece of timber, turn it around in their hands a few times and then know exactly how to use that piece of timber on their project with whatever knot or character it contained. We have some fantastic modern wood fillers now, some you mix with the species wood dust that is almost undetectable in knot holes once sanded, a great solution to ensure we can use all of the timber.

We take a customer order, then select from either a square edged board or waney edged board to cut and machine the order. We select in good faith knowing through experience that trees have branches. We buy as good a timber grade as the market can supply. We ensure that we get the very best recovery rates possible to minimise wastage at every stage. But having cut the job in good faith, we then have timber returned that, in our opinion could be used given higher skills in the industry, because it has a knot or a small split, what are we meant to do with it once it is cut?  Our plan to minimise wastage has gone out of the window – together with the profit margin!! So, not very ‘Sustainable’!!!!!

We must, must, must as an industry take a more responsible look at how we use each and every piece of wood we cut. We need to educate our customers that trees have branches and all sorts of other beautiful characters in it. We must encourage them to accept that clear timber is not the be all and end all, that timber is natural and that every piece is unique.

Then we may be able to truly claim our industry meets ‘Sustainable’ practises!!

Don’t forget, for all of your hardwood and joinery softwood requirements…………………

Call our Sales Team on 01798 861611 or email: sales@wlwest.co.uk

Gates of Distinction

Gates have been manufactured by our company for literally over a century. Our gates are handmade to order and we put pride and passion into them. On many occasions we are able to copy existing gates, sometimes our customers brings that old gates in for us to measure and copy.

But recently we had the opportunity to make three quite unique gates for the Goodwood Estate.

They asked us if we could replicate some gates that once hung on the estate. We had a photograph that probably dated back to the 1920/30s and an architects drawing as an interpretation of the picture.

The estate wanted the gates to hang on the entrance of one of their exclusive hospitality lodges.

We took their photograph and plans and constructed three gates from Oak, a matching pair of vehicle gates that have been automated, and a pedestrian gates that sits beside the pair as an entrance to the woodland. As you can see, the construction involved quite a lot of curved work with solid steel bars through the centre of the timber. We used powder coated steel to improve the life of the steel. The gates were made strong enough to be able to cope with the automation. To set off the gates we turned Oak Acorns to sit on the handing posts.

We are very pleased with the result, and we know that the Goodwood Estate are happy as well.

If you have gates that you would like re-made or if you have seen some gates that have struck a chord with you, then call us, we can discuss what you would like constructed. We can also hang them for you if you would like us to.

Don’t forget, for all of your hardwood and joinery softwood requirements…………………

Call our Sales Team on 01798 861611 or email: sales@wlwest.co.uk

Training in the Timber Industry

www.wlwest.co.uk

For some time now in this country there has been a lot of criticism of education that there has not been enough practical training for students. Computers and ‘clean hands’ options for students seem to have become the norm, with traditional ‘hands on’ trades falling behind.

I still think that there is a way to go, to ensure that we identify those students who are suited to ‘get their hands dirty’ in a practical way – Carpenter, bricklayer, plasterer, painter …….. the list goes on, rather than pointing them in an academic direction that they may fail in.

But it is changing, there are colleges who have thriving and growing construction skills departments, Chichester College is one of them.

We have had the pleasure in sponsoring the Furniture section of Chichester College for over 15 years. One element of our sponsorship is the end of year awards, of which we sponsor the years Best Furniture Ne wcomer. In 2016 we will also be sponsoring the Carpentry & Joinery Outstanding Achievement Award.

Why is all of this important? Well, from our company’s point of view it is two fold. We are seeing the beginning of the careers of possible future employees, and also the start of future customers.

It is therefore brilliant to hear that Chichester College furniture student Edward Harringman has just won Gold medal in the World Skills competition in Brazil. This is a tremendous accolade at the very start of Edward’s career. We would like to congratulate him on this award.

This is not a ‘one off ‘, Chichester College has entered students into the World Skills competitions for some years now, with previous students also winning Gold and lower medals. This is a real reflection on the talents, skills and passion of the tutors at the college. Christian Notley, who heads up the Furniture team at the college, also has the role of World Skills UK Training Manager. At the end of each academic year, I get invited to the end of year exhibition for the furniture students, and every year I am amazed both at the quality of the work and the ideas for innovative furniture. Where the inspiration for the ideas comes from I don’t know, but I’m glad it does. The students work is awesome, and I’m glad that we are seeing male and female, young and mature students training together to give a vibrant future to our industry.

Well done Chichester College, its Principal – Shelagh Legrave and all of the tutors. You are leading the way in Construction training  .

 Don’t forget, for all of your hardwood and joinery softwood requirements…………………

Call our Sales Team on 01798 861611 or email: sales@wlwest.co.uk

150 Years in the Timber Industry

There are not many companies that can boast 150 years in business !! But we can!

www.wlwest.co.uk

Donald  with Cecil West and Mary, their mother in the wheelbarrow

This year we are celebrating 150 years in the timber industry. We have standing timber records back to 1865 (see below), these were used to record the dimensions of the round timber being purchased. To be honest, it is probable that these were not the first records, our current family members can trace their Great Grandfather – James West, back to the 1851 census. He was aged 52 and described as a ‘Wood Reve’ – which, according to Collins Dictionary was a ‘Steward responsible for a wood’. 

So ….. the West family have been in the timber industry for a long time. Indeed of Walter Luke West’s 15 children, yes you read right, 15 children, 6 of the sons were involved with the business at some time. Latterly various members of the family have been involved, some long term and some dipping in and out at various times.

  

An early sawmill 1912-1918

The foundations of the current company were laid in the 1920/30’s by Walter Luke West and Cecil Owen West – Father and Son and Grandfather and Uncle of two of the current directors. Initially working in the woods, the early premises were located on a corner of the railway yard in Midhurst. working with steam to power the saws. Slowly additional ground was purchased, with Dr Richard Beeching MP increasing the availability of land with his cuts of the railways. We eventually bought the whole  site and developed our sawmilling there until 1986 when we moved to our current location.

Our directors have included members of the family for the whole of our history. Family members are still on the board of directors which also includes Simon Smith as one of our Joint MD’s and Heather Rickards who is our Accounts Director, both of which have over 20 years each with the company.

Our static steam engine being towed to a new owner

I had a look at the current team here, and in particular the members that are involved in the timber production. Of the 16 people involved in the various stages of buying, selecting, converting and manufacturing timber products, there is 469 years of experience in our industry.

Unloading Oak in the 1960’s

The timber industry in the UK has changed over the years, that has meant changing with the times. We focus very much in working with our clients on projects, many of which we work with for many months working through to project conclusion. Our portfolio is wide reaching these days, spend a few minutes having a look at our website – http://www.wlwest.co.uk it includes machined and profiled timber, cladding, worktops and bartops, bespoke gates, beam timber and much more.

What is clear, if you have a project that includes timber, having a chat with us is a good idea. We would love to get involved with your projects.

 Don’t forget, for all of your hardwood and joinery softwood requirements…………………

Call our Sales Team on 01798 861611 or email: sales@wlwest.co.uk

Firewood Firewood Firewood – at a great price.

www.wlwest.co.uk

Its been a mild winter so far this year, and fires and woodburners haven’t been as busy as they may have in previous years. But we are sure that a cold spell is on the way. All the more reason to stock up on Firewood.

We have an abundance of small offcuts. These are a by-product of our profile cutting mill and are ideal for Wood Burners. The stock originally was kiln dried. I can offer this at £5.00 a boot load, yes you read correctly £5.00 a boot load – while stocks last. Other quantities by negotiation. Pop in during opening hours and fill your boot.

Don’t forget, for all of your hardwood and joinery softwood requirements…………………

Call our Sales Team on 01798 861611 or email: sales@wlwest.co.uk

New Planing facilities – The Cube

www.wlwest.co.uk

We have recently installed another Weinig machine. The CUBE is a foursided planer with size capibilities of: Width 15-260mm and thickness of 5-160mm. Made by Weinig, it’s simplicity in design and operation means that turn around times for planing can be improved dramatically by comparison to using our profile moulders.

Have you any planing jobs that you would like priced?
Give our sales team a call.

 Just a taster of some of the other areas we can help you with.

Hand Cleft Oak and Larch Shingles
We are working with a Bavarian family company to bring this superb product to the UK. If you have a project that would suit the natural beauty of shingles, give us a call

Handmade Bespoke Gates
We have been making bespoke entrance gates for decades. We use traditional construction methods to produce the gate to our customers design. Whether it is to a new design or copy an existing gate, we can help.

Bespoke Hardwood Worktops
This is another area that we have majored in for a couple of decadess. We concentrate on making those bespoke sizes or shapes that are not available from mass market sources. Have you a project coming up?

Don’t forget, for all of your hardwood and joinery softwood requirements…………………

Call our Sales Team on 01798 861611 or email: sales@wlwest.co.uk