Woody’s Firewood and Forestry Services is a business with deep roots in the timber and forestry industry. Now, the Towcester-based business is all set for another period of commercial growth thanks to grant support from West Northamptonshire Council and Ngage Solutions.
Woody’s is run by husband-and-wife team Philip and Sarah Whatton, who saw an opportunity to expand as the demand for local firewood was rising, with domestic users transitioning away from coal and gas fires. However, the amount of logs they could process was constrained by the capacity limitations of their existing diesel-powered log cutting equipment. Unhappy to leave unmet orders on the table, they knew it was time to invest.
They turned to the government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which exists to promote economic growth in struggling rural communities, and secured a Rural Business Grant of £35,725. This was achieved with the help of Ngage, who supported businesses through the application process in their role as West Northants Council’s programme partners.
The grant aided the purchase of an electric-powered Posch S-415 MULTI Firewood Processor. The machine, which is used for slicing whole tree trunks into the kind of 20-50cm billets that fit neatly into your fireplace, increases the business’s log-splitting capacity by 30-40%. It also boasts a range of enhanced safety features for machine users, reducing the risk to operators from crushing hazards and industrial saws, which will simplify staff training requirements. Meanwhile, transitioning to electric significantly reduces Woody’s overall carbon footprint.
Business owner Phillip Whatton said, "With its much quicker cycle time and ease of operation, we are able to produce up to 40% more firewood. This enables us to open up sales to new customers in the very near future. In previous years, we have not been able to keep up with demand."
The continued popularity of firewood is in part down to the traditional appeal of hearth and home. Despite the easy convenience of central heating, traditional fireplaces and wood burning stoves remain an aspirational option for those drawn to the cozy aesthetic of the crackling fire. But as consumers become more environmentally conscious, so more people are coming to view trees as a renewable energy source and a much cleaner option than coal or gas. Though the carbon is released when the wood is burned, the trees are replaced and, depending on the species, will typically grow for between 7-10 years before harvesting. This means the energetic process is in balance – carbon storage matches carbon release. There are also multiple benefits of having local woodland in management ensuring an important habitat is maintained.
One element customers are increasingly sensitive to is the need to secure a local wood supply to minimise reliance on fossil fuel-guzzling lorry transportation. And thanks to this new investment, Woody’s will be able to serve more local demand from local plantations. Removing supply-side constraints has also enabled Woody’s to take on one additional full-time member of staff.
Philip said, "Having an additional member of staff processing firewood frees up our time to take on more forestry work in the area, so we’re in a position to land additional woodland management contracts now. This new machine has already proved itself to be productive, safe, and efficient. We are looking forward to the future of our business."
The Whatton family have been working in the forestry sector for generations, dating back to 1920 when Phillip’s great grandfather, Eric Whatton, was involved in saw milling. Over the years, their business has diversified and today specialises in firewood and forestry management, supplying Woodsure-certified firewood to rural communities and businesses.
Supporting a legacy business that was so strongly connected to its local community was something Will Dallimore, Ngage’s Rural Business Development Manager was delighted to be able to do. “Being able to support forestry activity with a rural grant funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund is a great example of how the funding can be used. Increasing productivity and allowing the business to undertake more forestry work is not only good for local employment, but it also supports active woodland management bringing associated environmental benefits.”
For information and support for rural businesses, contact Rural Ngage on 01494 927167, email ruralngage@ngagesolutions.co.uk or book a chat here.