A Warm Welcome from the James Donaldson Group

Welcome to the James Donaldson Group of Companies, which encompasses James Donaldson Timber, Donaldson Timber Engineering and, more recently, MGM Timber. For detailed information of these separate divisions, please use the link to the dedicated sites.

Since we were formed in Tayport in 1860, we have grown to become one of the UK's leading independent processors, manufacturers and distributors of timber and engineered timber products. Indeed, Donaldson Timber Engineering is the country's largest independent timber trussed rafter manufacturer.

Our Growth over the Years

Today, after over 140 years in business, our organisation is firmly based in three locations in Fife, Scotland. We also operate from six bases in England and one in Southern Ireland, making us a truly national supplier. More recently the James Donaldson Group has grown substantially with the acquisition of MGM Timber that consists of 10 timber merchant branches situated throughout Scotland, with its headquarters in Perth.

Suffice to say, the James Donaldson Group of Companies is, undoubtedly, a leader in its sector with a reputation for exceptional customer service.

Company Information

Employing 600 people, our Group consists of:

• a headquarters organisation - James Donaldson & Sons Limited in Markinch
• a sawmilling company - James Donaldson Timber Ltd (JDT) in Leven
• the highly successful timber engineering company - Donaldson Timber Engineering, with its manufacturing bases in Buckhaven in Scotland, as well as Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, Ashford in Kent, Andover in Hampshire, Ipswich in Suffolk, and Mountmellick in Southern Ireland.
• the newly acquired timber merchant MGM Timber, headquartered in Perth, with branches in Perth, Grangemouth, Dundee, Dunfermline, Glasgow, Glenrothes, Edinburgh, Wishaw, Hillington and Inverness.
• a hardwood business - Parker Kislingbury Ltd (PK) in Brill, Buckinghamshire

The range of products and services provided by Donaldson's trading companies is comprehensive.

James Donaldson Timber Ltd is a major timber importer and distributor in Scotland, handling some 100,000m³ of softwood per annum, principally sourced from Scandinavia.

Donaldson Timber Engineering operates out of eight centres across the UK and has the capacity to produce some 20,000 timber trussed rafters per week. These are distributed nation-wide, and increasingly in the South of England.

MGM is the fastest growing independent timber merchant business in Scotland today. Operating from 10 branches, the business sells the full range of softwood, hardwood, finishings and structural sections, also plywood, MDF, OSB, insulation, doors, windows, joinery products, plasterboard, hardwood floorings, ironmongery and a whole host of related products.

The business operates with a pronounced trading, personal approach. Fantastic service and total quality throughout the product range sets MGM above its competitors.

Primary Priorities

Customer care and communication are primary priorities for the James Donaldson Group. Driven by a commitment to customer value, we are structured to respond to the centralised buying policies of the UK construction industry, and to give increased customer focus and accountability to our trading subsidiaries.

Quality assured by the James Donaldson Group

The Group was the first company in its sector to be Quality Assured ISO 9000. We operate an in-house quality programme and, as members of Forests Forever, the James Donaldson Group also supports environmentally responsible timber sourcing policies.

Message from Neil Donaldson, Chief Executive

"I hope you have enjoyed your virtual visit to the Donaldson Group of Companies, established in Tayport, Fife, in 1860 by my great, great grandfather. Little could he have realised when he founded the company that people would be able to visit it via the ever-expanding advantages of modern technology."

"It is with understandable pride that I can say the organisation has grown to become one of the UK's leading suppliers of timber and timber-related products with fourteen centres in Scotland, six in England and one in Southern Ireland."

"Whilst much has changed over the years, much has stayed the same - specifically Donaldson's commitment to exceptional customer service. This remains our driving force and I am confident that the Donaldson Group is now better placed than ever to deliver exactly what the customer wants well into the 21st century and beyond."

Financial Highlights