BSW Timber creates 25 jobs at Powys plant

BSW Timber says the planning permission will allow it to operate more effectively

A timber firm is to recruit 25 staff at its Powys sawmill after obtaining conditional planning consent to extend working hours.

BSW Timber employs 120 workers at Newbridge-on-Wye, near Builth Wells, and has invested £6m in the mill since 2006.

The plant is the largest single site sawmill in Wales.

Local MP Roger Williams said BSW Timber had a critical role in maintaining employment in the area.

"They have shown over the past five years that the operation at Newbridge-on-Wye is going from strength to strength, thanks to a rolling programme of continued investment in plant, people and environmental improvements," said Mr Williams, the Brecon and Radnorshire MP.

Mill manager Dave Burd said: "This conditional planning permission will allow us to operate more effectively and efficiently on site, and significantly increase production levels at the mill.

"This is good news for the business and good news for the local area as we continue to expand our workforce at the mill."

BSW Timber said it had the largest saw milling business in Britain.

This year it has spent £1.8m at the Powys plant with the installation of two biomass boilers.

The company has six sawmills in the UK and one in Latvia, and supplies sawn timber products to customers in the construction, DIY, pallet and packaging, fencing and garden products sectors.