May Jun 2022 Westender

32 | www.westendermagazine.com
Homes & Interiors
So where does Liam and Thornbridge
Sawmills come in? ‘Working through the details
of products for Mel’s projects and making sure
our service is top rate,’ says Liam, ‘and just
generally having a laugh when we can.’
‘For my branch in particular, we are very
driven to work the details, never assume, and
if we see a better option we bring it to the table.
Our involvement is in getting the right product
for the build, we leave the design and building
to the professionals. Getting involved at this
level makes our job more interesting.
Covid, closely followed by Brexit, has been a
challenge for all in the building supply business
however. ‘As a company we buy well and have
plenty of connections in Britain and Europe,
so we just about keep the supply going. However,
this year’s challenge is different. Trade
embargos could go on for months, maybe years,
and unfortunately prices will soar again.
‘However, I see these situations as being
beneficial sometimes to produce new market
ideas and new products. Like all businesses,
you can jog along with what you know but as
soon as that’s turned upside down, and if you
are forward thinking, you can diversify your
product range, create market disruption and
unveil new products.
‘This can be exciting if you have customers
like Mel and Kim who are open to new ideas.
Mel has been a whirlwind in the Scottish market
in recent times and has chosen to move with
sustainable new products, such as the IRO
cladding at grange used on the garden rooms in
this recent project. It requires real skill to install
but as can be seen – the outcome is brilliant.’
outsideingardenrooms.co.uk
hopegroundworks.co.uk
thornbridgesawmills.co.uk