Michael (Mike for short) is the Executive Chairman for James Donaldson Group Ltd. He started working for the Donaldson Group in 2003 and is the 6th generation of the Donaldson family to work for the business. He was the first person to graduate from Napier University with their new MSc in Timber Industry Management and started his career on the ‘shop floor’ for Donaldson Timber Engineering. Since then, he has worked with 3 of the groups 5 trading companies and therefore has an excellent grasp on the companies that form the group. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with his wife and his three children. The question is, will they be the 7th generation to be part of the Donaldson Group legacy? We like to think so!
Andrew joined the family business in 2010 and is the sixth generation of the Donaldson family to be part of the business. Andrew took over as CEO in April 2020 and previous to that was Group Finance Director. Andrew’s other roles within the Group include; Commercial Director of MGM Timber and then Commercial Director of James Donaldson Timber. He is passionate about the business and its employees. Prior to joining the family business, he graduated from the University of Aberdeen and joined KPMG where he qualified as a chartered accountant. A keen sportsman, he likes to play golf and rugby fives and can even be found participating in triathlons. When he’s not working, he’s planning his next trip – as his aim is to visit every country in the world with his wife Alyson.
Next:
David – Sales Manager
David joined the group in 1985 straight out of college as a management trainee. The management trainee programme was designed to train new recruits in all aspects of the business from the saw mill, to designing and assembling roof trusses to accounting and sales. David quickly identified sales as the area in which he was best suited to excel in, and has since been a Sales Manager for James Donaldson Timber.
January 12, 2022David has climbed the career ladder (and a few Munros!)
Name: David Seath
Job Title: Sales Manager
Company: James Donaldson Timber
David joined the Group in 1985 straight out of college as a management trainee. The management trainee programme was designed to train new recruits in all aspects of the business from the saw mill, to designing and assembling roof trusses to accounting and sales. David quickly identified sales as the area in which he was best suited to excel in, and has since been a Sales Manager for James Donaldson Timber.
Despite being in the business for over 30 years, David says that every day is still a school day with its own unique challenges, yet he wouldn’t have it any other way. We also know that with over 30 years experience, he’s a great teacher for younger and less experienced colleagues too.
When we asked David what he values most about working for the Group, he said that is the fact that as a family business, the Donaldson Group “values the employee’s input and rewards them accordingly”, also adding that “the same treatment is levied for both suppliers and customers.” The result of this is evident in the loyalty and commitment the staff, suppliers and customers have for the company. David has been with the company for over 32 years and has been working with colleagues, suppliers and customers who have been with the company long before he joined.
When he is not selling timber for a living he spends time with his family including walking his dog. If you want to climb a Munro in Scotland – David is your man to ask for advice! He’s certainly climbed career heights in his role at JDT and we’re delighted that David has been a core part of the team there for so long.
The Donaldson Group acquires Stewart Milne Timber Systems
Timber expert, the Donaldson Group, has acquired the UK’s leading timber frame manufacturer, Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS), marking the Donaldson Group’s entry into the timber frame market.
December 16, 2021Timber expert, the Donaldson Group, has acquired the UK’s leading timber frame manufacturer, Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS), marking the Donaldson Group’s entry into the timber frame market.
Established in 1975 as the timber frame arm of the Stewart Milne Group, Aberdeen-based SMTS is a UK pioneer in timber frame technology and manufacturing, operating throughout the country from three manufacturing plants in Aberdeen, Witney and a new facility in Falkirk.
All staff and operations will continue unchanged. Alex Goodfellow (Stewart Milne Group Managing Director – Strategic Development) will transfer with the business into the role of CEO, Donaldson Off-site Manufacturing and join Rod Allan (SMTS Managing Director) and the current Board of Directors in continuing to drive the business. The Donaldson Group is committed to the Board’s growth plans and supporting SMTS achieve its ambition.
With 160 years of expertise in timber importing and distribution, as well as decades of experience in timber engineering and merchanting, this acquisition strategically and operationally complements the Donaldson Group portfolio, allowing the Group to offer a stronger timber package for residential and commercial applications to all their current and future customers.
The move further supports Donaldsons growth strategy and follows a run of acquisitions by the Group, following the additions of Kitchens International, Stonecare, Rowan Manufacturing and Smith and Frater since the start of 2020.
Announcing the acquisition, Andrew Donaldson, CEO of the Donaldson Group, said: “We’re delighted and proud to have successfully acquired this terrific timber frame business. This deal secures the future for a leading UK Business; enabling the growth plans for it to reach its full potential, while providing reliability and stability for its existing and new customers. SMTS is a natural fit for the Donaldson Group; it offers a similar family-owned ethos, and has a strong reputation and track record for investment and innovation. We’re pleased to welcome all 411 employees to our family business and look forward to working closely with Alex and the full team.
“This is an exciting move for the Donaldson Group, as we venture into the timber frame market at a time when interest in the material has never been higher. The use of timber frame is anticipated to double in the next five years as housebuilders turn to modern methods of construction and renewable sources to achieve crucial net-zero carbon targets. This acquisition supports the Donaldson Group’s commitment to sustainability: building a sustainable business and supporting a sustainable industry.”
Alex Goodfellow, CEO, Donaldson Off-site added, “We have secured the perfect partner who is committed to our growth strategy and who will support us to achieve our vision. The Donaldson Group has a strong reputation for partnerships, reliability and integrity and we are clearly aligned both strategically and operationally which can only help strengthen our market-leading position.”
Rod Allan, SMTS Managing Director said, “Through our service, our scale and our capabilities we have focussed on how we can differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. There is no doubt that being part of one of the UK’s leading timber-based group of companies will offer huge opportunities that will benefit our people, our customers and our other key stakeholders.”
SMTS joins the Donaldson Group portfolio of leading independent brands: MGM Timber, Donaldson Timber Engineering, James Donaldson Timber, James Donaldson Insulation, Smith & Frater, Rowan Manufacturing, Nu-Style Products, Kitchens International and Stonecare.
The acquisition of SMTS will further strengthen the Donaldson Group portfolio of businesses and its position as the UK’s leading independent in its markets.
Currently led by the sixth generation of Donaldson, the 160-year-old family business comprises 11 specialist timber and building product businesses, operating throughout the UK from 45 locations employing over 1500 people. The businesses that make up the Group trade and operate independently, sharing best practice, innovation, purchasing synergies, and market analysis.
Mark – Chief Risk Officer
Mark isn't only a valued member of the Donaldson Group, he's also a very loyal one. So loyal in fact that (as he likes to point out) he was in the company before the internet was even invented!
December 5, 2021Our Chief Risk Officer is making his ‘Mark’ on the Donaldson Group!
Name: Mark Murphy
Job Title: Chief Risk Officer
Company: Donaldson Group
Mark isn’t only a valued member of the Donaldson Group team, he’s also a very loyal one. So loyal in fact that (as he likes to point out) he was in the company before the internet was even invented!
Mark started at Donaldson Group in 1986 as a management trainee. Throughout his three decades with the Group, Mark has taken on a variety of roles and is now the Group’s Chief Risk Officer, which involves supporting the expansion of the Group into a more diverse product range and service offering through the ongoing delivery of a risk management strategy, as well as continue to identify and mitigate risks.
What Mark loves about Donaldson’s is that he gets to work with some amazing people at all levels within the business. Mark commented that he likes that “everybody has the opportunity to contribute and the best ideas happen when people get involved.” It is this collaboration in fact, that helped the Donaldson Group win the Lord Cullen award for health and safety. Mark is very proud that he and the team implemented a system to make the unloading of roof trusses safer for our customers, which was adopted as best practice by the HSE and the Trussed Rafter industry.
In Mark’s role, he ensures that the Donaldson Group always acts with Integrity. For him, that runs across many factors, from the way we treat people, source our products, comply with legislation, sell, produce or deliver our products. Mark feels he can therefore say with confidence that we conduct our business in the right way.
Outside of work, Mark can be found walking his three rottweiler dogs – in fact he loves the breed so much he even has a Facebook group for rottweilers. We’re lucky that Mark is as loyal to us as his lovely dogs are to him!
TimberCut4U is Announced as an ‘Excellence in Marketing’ Finalist for the Annual TTJ Awards
August 26, 2021
The TTJ Awards has just released its shortlisted finalists for the 2021 awards, and we are delighted to announce that James Donaldson and Sons owned brand, TimberCut4U has made the shortlist in the ‘Excellence in Marketing’ Judged Category.
The annual TTJ Awards has been held by the Timber Trades Journal (TTJ) since 1997 and has grown into the timber industry’s leading annual awards event. The TTJ awards is celebrating its 25th edition this year and will be a hybrid event: featuring a live in-person lunchtime awards function in London, with livestreaming to an additional audience digitally.
The Excellence in Marketing award recognises businesses that have undertaken a campaign promoting a timber or related product or service between January 2020 and June 2021. As a supplier of quality hardwood, softwood and timber products to the DIY market, TimberCut4U has been shortlisted for the award based on its successful marketing campaign to refresh the brand and e-commerce website, as well as ongoing digital marketing activities which have been carried out with the help of the brand’s agency partner Three Part Story, all of which have resulted in a sales increase of over 600% from the previous 5 years.
Group Marketing Manager of James Donaldson and Sons, Jean Paul Malum commented: “I am delighted that TimberCut4U has been shortlisted for this award. It was important for us that we were able to fully maximise the e-commerce functionality of the website in order to capitalise on the DIY and home renovations boom that the industry experienced throughout the COVID pandemic.”
He continued, “The success of this campaign has shone a positive light on the potential opportunities available through marketing within the group, and as a result, we are looking to increase our marketing efforts further for TimberCut4U, to maintain momentum as we look to expand the brand operation.”
The winners will be announced at the event in London on 17th September.
Leading timber expert, James Donaldson & Sons Ltd (JDS) has further developed its programme of growth, with the acquisition of leading worktop specialist, Stonecare.
Established in 1999, Glasgow-based Stonecare is one of Scotland’s leading independent suppliers of solid worktops to the UK kitchen industry, and the only kitchen worktop manufacturer in Scotland offering the choice of Granite, Silestone, Marble, Quartz Stone and Corian worktops.
The addition of Stonecare adds to JDS’s expanding kitchens offering and presents strong synergistic opportunities for both businesses. It follows JDS’s acquisition of Kitchens International earlier this month and enhances its growing interiors portfolio, which also includes Optima Kitchens, Smith and Frater, Perform Panel and Buzz Home Offices.
Staff and operations at Stonecare will remain unchanged by this business development, with all 11 employees remaining in position.
Announcing the acquisition, Andrew Donaldson, CEO of James Donaldson & Sons Ltd, said: “We’re proud to add Stonecare to our growing JDS family. Stonecare has an excellent reputation for quality, craftsmanship and service; an extremely high-quality product; and a great team of people. The business perfectly complements our existing portfolio in JDS and aligns well with our strategy to enhance our offering in the market, with a focus on kitchens, bathrooms and home offices.
“Historically a timber specialist, this is an incredibly exciting time for our business, as we continue to grow through sustainable organic growth and by the strategic acquisition of market-leading specialists. We look forward to welcoming the Stonecare team on board and moving forward together as one.”
Andrew Crombie, MD of Stonecare added: “I am delighted that in our 21st anniversary year, Stonecare is joining the JDS group. With our shared family values and strong business synergies I am confident we will provide our great team with opportunities for growth and am looking forward to this next chapter for Stonecare.”
Stonecare will join the JDS portfolio of leading independent brands: MGM Timber, Donaldson Timber Engineering, James Donaldson Timber, James Donaldson Insulation, Smith & Frater, Rowan Manufacturing, Nu-Style Products and Kitchens International.
Family business, JDS celebrated its 160th anniversary last year. The eight businesses that make up the Group trade and operate independently, sharing best practice, innovation, purchasing synergies, and market analysis.
James Donaldson & Sons Continues Growth Strategy with Acquisition of Kitchens International
June 10, 2021
The Boards of James Donaldson & Sons (JDS) Ltd and Kitchens International Ltd are delighted to announce that, following its acquisition, Kitchens International Ltd, has become the latest addition to the JDS brand portfolio.
Kitchens International Ltd, Scotland’s leading independent kitchen retailer, will join the JDS portfolio of leading independent brands which includes MGM Timber, Donaldson Timber Engineering, James Donaldson Timber, James Donaldson Insulation, Smith & Frater, Rowan Manufacturing and Nu-Style Products.
Kitchens International Ltd is Scotland’s most award-winning kitchen brand, popular amongst both consumers and trade, with 6 showrooms across Scotland and a strong contract fitting division. It will strategically and operationally complement the current JDS retail and manufacturing portfolio, working closely with the existing kitchen offering through Smith & Frater and MGM Timber, allowing JDS to offer a full suite of interior options for both trade and retail customers.
Announcing the acquisition, Andrew Donaldson, CEO of James Donaldson & Sons Ltd, said:
“It is a privilege to welcome the Kitchens International Ltd family to our Donaldson family; we anticipate exciting times ahead both within the Kitchen market and its associated interiors including Bathrooms, Bedrooms and Home Offices. Adding the Kitchens International brand to our current portfolio will yield strong synergistic opportunities for both businesses. As always, the most important thing will be People and we are looking forward to working with Kitchens International Ltd across both the Board and full team. Together, as one family, we are well placed to build our Kitchen and Interiors business for the future.”
Gerry Watson, MD of Kitchens International added: “Over the past 27 years we are proud to have grown Kitchens International to become a leading UK Kitchen brand and are excited that our next growth chapter will be as part of the James Donaldson Group. With shared values and vision, together we can provide greater opportunity for all our brand community; our staff, our brand ambassadors and our suppliers.”
James Donaldson Group has announced that it will donate to 32 foodbanks local to its 32 UK sites throughout December. These donations will take place until the Group’s holiday shut down on Friday 18th December.
Food banks across the UK have been severely impacted by COVID-19. They have seen a 47% increase in usage since March and are facing an overwhelming demand for support. Operational capacity is also strained as a result of restrictions, creating further challenges for foodbanks across the UK.
The Group will contribute £100 per site every week in December, totaling £10,000. A donation box has also been set up at every site for employees who wish to donate any additional items.
Andrew Donaldson, CEO of the JDS Group said: “2020 has been a tough year for everyone in many ways, and it has reminded us all of the importance of community and helping each other out in times of need. As a family business that operates UK wide, we want to help in our local communities where we can. The willingness of our employees to get involved in this initiative fills me with pride. All 32 of our sites has a foodbank local to it that we hope will benefit from our collective donations.”
You can find details of your local foodbank here.
James Donaldson Group Driving Innovation with Launch of New Home Office Furniture Business
November 26, 2020
James Donaldson Group, a leading Scottish timber and manufacturing specialist, has announced the arrival of its latest business, Buzz Home Office, which will offer expertly crafted, made-to-measure home office and study solutions.
Launching to market in January 2021, Buzz Home Office is a new business, developed to embrace homeworking lifestyles that have come as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. With the demand for homeworking and studying having increased dramatically, and looking set to continue, Buzz Home Office will offer a range of fully bespoke and customisable furniture options for professionals and families alike who are adapting to this new normal. Customers will be able to purchase Buzz Home Office solutions from January 2021 and trade partners are now able to register interest and discuss partner opportunities and pre-orders in preparation for the new year.
As part of one of Scotland’s leading family timber and manufacturing groups, James Donaldson Group, the vision for Buzz Home Office was born out of a continued commitment to deliver exceptional service and quality to its customers. The business incorporates three flexible and fully customisable core ranges, including: Buzz Hive, a range of space-saving units for adults and kids, delivered pre-assembled; Beespoke, a made-to-measure solution for those with limited space to work with; and Home Hive, a bespoke range designed to transform a dedicated room in any home into a home office. All three ranges will be available in a vast selection of colours and woodgrains.
The Beespoke and Home Hive ranges will be supported by the Buzz Home Office design service, for customers or trade partners looking for a tailored, made-to-measure home office solution. The service will support customers throughout the full process with an expert team on hand to find the solution that best meets needs and requirements, including initial consultation, a recommendation of options and 3D rendering design visualisation.
With the demand for homeworking on the rise, the overall aim of the business is to ensure that the best possible service is given to all customers looking for a new home office solution. Once the final product has been manufactured, special attention will be given to all delivery or installation details, ensuring the solution is set-up, ready to use and that all packaging has been taken away for ultimate customer convenience.
Andrew Donaldson, CEO of The James Donaldson Group said of the launch, “Innovation has always been central to the JDS vision and we are delighted to announce the arrival of the exciting new brand, Buzz Home Office. Everyone has faced unprecedented challenges this year and as a team we were eager to create products that would support the new normal and flexible ways of working moving into 2021. We always put customers, service and quality at the core of everything we do, and I believe Buzz Home Office will reflect this in market.”
The Buzz Home Office ranges will be delivered by existing James Donaldson Group businesses including Smith and Frater, Nu-Style Products and MGM Timber, which operate out of a number of Scottish locations. These businesses will be opening their doors to Buzz Home Office customers for consultations as part of the design process.
Find out more about the Buzz Home Office ranges at www.buzzhomeoffice.co.uk
