July 2007

E.ON Wood Power Market Opens Near Lockerbie

With the start of commissioning at the E.ON wood fired power station near Lockerbie, the market for wood as a fuel on an industrial scale in Scotland has now become a reality.

The power station will shortly be generating enough power to meet annual energy requirements of 70,000 homes and will displace emissions of 140,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses. In order to achieve this, 480,000 tonnes of wood fuel will be required, equivalent to more than 50 lorry loads each day.

In order to achieve the necessary scale of wood fuel supply to operate successfully in this totally new, high volume market, Scottish Woodlands have established strong links with Euroforest Ltd.  The two companies have agreed to pool resources and work together on wood fuel development.

This approach has been very successful and, when deliveries of round wood to the E.ON plant commenced in early June, it was no surprise when Scottish Woodlands and Euroforest were first through the gate with initial deliveries!

May 2007

Senior Staff pass IOSH Managing Safely Course

The Directors and Divisional Heads attended a 4 day IOSH Managing Safely Course in Perth in the spring and achieved a 100% pass rate. The course was delivered by John Collins of Aon Risk Management Services and Rob Shaw, SEQ Director, sat in for most of the duration.

The course content of this nationally recognised qualification focuses on knowing the laws and regulations surrounding health and safety, identifying hazards in workplace scenarios and controlling risks.
 
The attendees worked through several complex risk assessments, including loading ships with timber in remote locations – see separate item below. The output from this course is to assist the Board in constantly improving risk management within Company.

May 2007

Successful timber operation concluded in Knoydart

The last load of logs can be seen being loaded at Inverie, Knoydart, in what was a 10,000 tonne contract for the North Timber team. Neil Stoddart, Area Harvesting Manager for the North West, oversaw the operation, which included transport of the specialist equipment to Knoydart by landing craft, and careful cooperation between local people, the Highland Council and the harvesting contracting squad.

The school children in Knoydart took an active interest in the project and subsequently made a film about the whole operation, which was then premiered in the village hall.
 
Knoydart is generally considered to be the most remote part of the Scottish mainland, and so trips in for supervision either entailed an overnight stay, travelling from Mallaig, or a fast powerboat trip from Armadale on Skye. The ships were generally loaded over a 24 hour period, with fully trained banksmen on hand to control the vehicle movements on and around the pier.

Thursday 12th April

Board Level Promotions in Scottish Woodlands

Colin Mann, Managing Director, far right, with new Board members from left to right Stephen Stanley, Rob Shaw and Ralland Browne

The directors of SWL Ltd, the parent company of Scottish Woodlands Ltd, have pleasure in announcing board level promotions which are effective as of 1st April.

Joining the Board of SWL Ltd, in addition to his responsibilities as Commercial Director of Scottish Woodlands Ltd, is Stephen Stanley. Stephen’s portfolio includes strategic timber marketing and energy wood development and in his new capacity he will be further involved in corporate development within these very important areas for the future as well as broader aspects of corporate management.

Joining the Board of Scottish Woodlands Ltd are Ralland Browne and Rob Shaw, both of whom have worked with the Company for some 20 years, starting as forest managers before becoming specialists in their respective fields.

Ralland has been appointed as ‘Investment and Services Director’, focusing upon forestry investment marketing, valuations and economics. Over the past number of years he has built up considerable experience in these fields and his expertise will become even more important as the interest in timber investment increases.

Rob has been appointed as ‘SEQ & Contracts Director’, a position which the Company recognises as being highly important to the operation of the highest possible safety, environmental and quality standards in the work done on behalf of clients and customers. The creation of this post at Board level demonstrates the Company’s commitment to the management of these issues within all spheres of activity.

In addition to his safety, environment and quality role, Rob will take over responsibility for the strategic management of the ‘Utilities & Landscaping Division’ following the pending retiral of Jim Nicol. Jim, presently ‘Utilities & Landscaping Director, is due to retire from the Company in October 2007 following a remarkable 41 years of continuous service to Scottish Woodlands.