“Always do good.” This was the message that was ingrained in me from the day I started at the Donaldson Group 38 years ago.

Sustainability has been at the heart of our business for a long time, but the term ‘sustainability’ has taken on a different meaning over the years. For many, sustainability is about purely environmental matters, but to us, being sustainable means doing the right thing in the world we live in and how we operate as a business.

As a 164-year-old family business, this has always been part of the company ethos – from employing local people and supporting the local community, right through to ensuring our product is as responsibly sourced and manufactured as possible.

Proving sustainable procurement was something our former Chair and MD, Neil Donaldson was championing before any certification schemes were established. As soon as chain of custody and sustainable sourcing were available, we were one of the first timber businesses to achieve and maintain FSC® and PEFC certification -sustainability has never just been a box-ticking exercise.

Jump forward to 2024, and ‘sustainability’ in an environmental sense, has never been more important. In true Donaldson style, when considering our own environmental impact, we aimed high and promised to do good – in environmental terms, this means Net Zero. To achieve this, we need to more meaningfully reduce value chain emissions; looking beyond what we do as a business and considering what our customers and suppliers do too.

As part of this process, we established our carbon footprint to ISO 14064 (carbon footprint verification) and discovered that only 3% of our carbon footprint is generated by the Group. 97% of carbon is generated by suppliers and customers.

This led us to look at the whole life carbon of our products, and the often overlooked (and trickier!) area of embodied carbon. These are the cradle to grave emissions, including: growing the core material, transportation, the addition of our own carbon footprint through manufacture, delivery to our clients, end of life and how we dispose of it.

We know that our customers are looking to meet targets, and they need proof of environmental claims to do so. Our work on achieving ISO 14064 and our goal to meet the changing needs of our clients, resulted in a project on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These are key to proving and achieving zero carbon, as they give the lifecycle of a product through third-party verified data.

We believe that our products are the sustainable choice for our customers, but these days, claims are not enough. To support the customer transition to Net Zero and provide them with the information they need, we started a project to achieve EPDs for our flagship products across the Group. In this time, we’ve seen an increase in demand for EPDs, as more businesses look to become Net Zero and meet Government targets.

EPDs are a big investment, but they’re worthwhile. We’re proud to have completed seven EPDs in the last 12 months, showcasing the sustainability credentials of a fantastic array of products, from Perform Panel’s laminated wet wall panels to James Donaldson Timber’s European Redwood.

Our offsite frame manufacture business, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS) became the first timber frame manufacturer to offer an independent, accredited environmental product declaration (EPD) for an off-site assembled timber frame wall panel. This is key evidence for sustainable housebuilding and meeting Government targets.

Our goal as a Group is to become a leading independent Net Zero Carbon Business. We want to provide solutions that help our customers to be carbon neutral; we want to ensure a sustainable supply chain, and crucially, we want to guarantee that all parts of our business can back up any environmental claims.

The next task is how we target improvements over the next 20 years to fully achieve carbon Net Zero. We have plans in place to generate our own electricity – solar panels have been installed at five of our sites over the last 10 months – and we’re already seeing the benefit from this. When we add this to our ISO 50001 certification which helps to manage our energy use, these strategic initiatives mean when we come to undertake our EPD assessments in five years’ time, the results will be even better.

Nobody knows what the next 20 years have in store, but we’ll continue to do good – leading the way in sustainable business approaches.

A former Donaldson Group intern has developed a unique 3D house visualisation software tool to help housebuilders market new homes.

The fully walkable virtual home selection software, Spec3D, provides everything needed to digitalise entire show homes and manage and sell upgrades in full 3D.

Using cutting-edge technology, the platform gives housebuilders the power to let customers select key elements – such as kitchen units, bathroom tiles and bedroom enhancements – put them together and explore a realistic 3D version of their new home, from any device, at any time. The tool prices items as they’re added, and it has a customer management system that helps sales staff sell their homes easier.

Following a successful internship, Euan Gibson‑Smith, part of the Entrepreneurial Scotland Saltire Scholars programme, was given a full-time permanent position at the Donaldson Group, with a focus on the best use of virtual reality (VR) across the 17 businesses in the Group.

After developing a visual selector tool for the Group’s kitchen retailer business, Kitchens International, during his internship, Euan recognised that the technology could be effective for all parts of a house, which led to the creation of Spec3D.

The tool has seen immediate success, and within just nine months, the Spec3D team has signed deals with a number of housebuilders, including construction company, Easy Living Developments for a site in Fife, as well as securing two clients to supply website visualisers for their brands.

Commenting on the new brand, Euan said: “I was initially tasked with a project investigating the potential of VR within the Group. Through my research I found that the Interiors division would benefit from enhanced virtual visualisation tools. When the software was so well-received for kitchens, moving into the full house was an obvious next step.

“While show homes, samples, plans, and photos of existing developments have their place, some people struggle to see the full picture. This software lets homebuyers really see what their new home will looks like, and all from the comfort of their own home.”

Les Calder, Chief Technology Officer at the Donaldson Group adds: “The reaction so far has been fantastic. Customers are finding that it dramatically decreases sales office consultation time; reduces errors with a more streamlined management system; increases average upgrade order values and provides a more enjoyable house buying experience for all. Crucially, it allows housebuilders and developers to showcase all their new homes – and sell them – before they’ve even been built.”

Jacqueline Hutchison, Sales Liaison at Easy Living Developments said: “I couldn’t believe Euan hadn’t been in one of our houses when he sent the initial models over—it looked exactly like our House Types. The attention to detail was incredible, and it really feels like you are in the home when using the software.

“This software is going to completely transform how we sell homes and allow customers to easily customise their selections. We can’t wait to fully integrate it with our clients and see the impact and I can already tell it’s going to dramatically enhance the customer experience.”

High-quality panel manufacturer Perform Panel, part of the Donaldson Group, has announced its expansion into Europe with its wet wall laminated shower panels, a unique alternative to tiling.

Perform Panel has over 35 years of experience and is well known in the UK industry, manufacturing wet wall laminated panels and supplying floor, splashback and ceiling products under the Perform Panel brand.

In a first for the company, it has partnered with a distributor in Europe to supply Perform Panel to the Netherlands & Belgium, with further opportunities being explored.

Perform Panel is the beautiful, high-performance, modern alternative to tiles. The panels are suitable for various internal applications within both domestic and commercial environments.

Perform Panel will be supplied via a partnership with Panel-X, which is supporting the growth and distribution across Europe as well as offering market updates and informing on trends.

The decision to expand into Europe comes as part of Perform Panel’s five-year strategy, which has included a £1 million investment to increase both capacity and decor offering, with a new range of 26 tile effect panels recently launched into the market.

From their site in Maastricht in the Netherlands, Panel-X stocks 48 designs across four collections and has access to the complete Perform Panel range.

Stephen Murray, Sales Director Perform Panel, said: “We are thrilled to bring Perform Panel’s innovative bathroom panels to the Netherlands. Our aim is to be the number one panel manufacturer in the UK and further afield, so this expansion and partnership with Panel-X supports our strategic plan and growth. We look forward to building lasting partnerships and helping new customers in Europe.”

Manon Braakhuis, from Panel-X, said: “We started Panel-X because we shared mutual values for listening to our clients and accommodating their needs. For us, there is no greater reward than a satisfied customer. While searching for quality products to expand our range, we came across Perform Panel, a company that shares our values, and offers the same standards, quality and service. We are now striving to become the leading bathroom wall panel brand in the Netherlands, Belgium and Europe. Together we are looking forward to this exciting challenge, as well as a long-term partnership with Perform Panel.”

All manufacturing is currently carried out in Aberdeen, with a distribution network throughout the UK. Predominately supplied through the merchant base, it also appeals to contractors, bathroom showrooms, plumber merchants and joiners.

The boards are manufactured using a plywood core, which is the preferred option for installers.

Perform Panel’s head office is also based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Perform Panel offers a stylish and cost-effective alternative to tiles, providing a number of hygiene, cleaning and maintenance benefits, as well as versatility and ease of installation. The panels come with a 35-year guarantee, have seamless borders and are five times quicker to install than standard tiles.

Scotland’s largest independent specialist timber merchant, MGM Timber, has opened a new branch in St Andrews, its fifteenth in Scotland, as the business strengthens its brand across the country.

Following a programme of extensive customer research, the St Andrews location has been designed to reflect the insights customers provided to offer an improved in-branch experience, with a focus on lay-out, range optimisation, visual presentation, and in-situ displays. Starting in St Andrews, this new in-store format will roll out across all locations in the coming months, along with an improved online and digital experience to help trade customers plan, estimate, and manage projects.

Established in 1991, and part of the Donaldson Group since 2005, MGM has grown to become one of Scotland’s leading local independent timber merchants for both trade and retail customers. The business has sales in excess of £75m per annum, averages 16,000 customer visits per month, and has 46 trucks servicing Scotland. At the centre of the product offering is a commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer service.

Graham Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of Donaldson Group’s Retail & Distribution, said: “The opening of St Andrews marks an exciting time for MGM Timber as we celebrate the fifteenth location in Scotland, and a new retail experience for customers. St Andrews is close to the original home of the Donaldson Group, founded more than 160 years ago, and we’re going back to our roots as we invest in the future of the MGM Timber business with an improved concept. With a focus on quality, sustainability, customer service, and a product range grounded in our timber expertise, we believe these updates will reflect the needs of our customers and strengthen our partnership.”

Steve Galbraith, Managing Director of MGM Timber, said: “Our research showed that 70% of our customers believe our timber specialism is fundamental to our offering, and demonstrated that our quality, expertise, and product range are the key points of difference. Central to this is also our customer service, so we wanted to maximise this offering by ensuring all our branches provide a consistent experience with more clarity in our product ranges and improved retail displays, starting with our new location in St Andrews.”

MGM Timber operates from 15 branches across Scotland, located in Broxburn, Clydebank, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh (Newcraighall), Edinburgh City (Lochend), Glenrothes, Grangemouth, Hamilton, Inverness, Paisley, Perth, Prestwick, St Andrews, and Wishaw.

Scotland’s largest independent specialist timber merchant, MGM Timber, has opened a new branch in St Andrews, its fifteenth in Scotland, as the business strengthens its brand across the country.

Following a programme of extensive customer research, the St Andrews location has been designed to reflect the insights customers provided to offer an improved in-branch experience, with a focus on lay-out, range optimisation, visual presentation, and in-situ displays. Starting in St Andrews, this new in-store format will roll out across all locations in the coming months, along with an improved online and digital experience to help trade customers plan, estimate, and manage projects.

Established in 1991, and part of the Donaldson Group since 2005, MGM has grown to become one of Scotland’s leading local independent timber merchants for both trade and retail customers. The business has sales in excess of £75m per annum, averages 16,000 customer visits per month, and has 46 trucks servicing Scotland. At the centre of the product offering is a commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer service.

Graham Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of Donaldson Group’s Retail & Distribution, said: “The opening of St Andrews marks an exciting time for MGM Timber as we celebrate the fifteenth location in Scotland, and a new retail experience for customers. St Andrews is close to the original home of the Donaldson Group, founded more than 160 years ago, and we’re going back to our roots as we invest in the future of the MGM Timber business with an improved concept. With a focus on quality, sustainability, customer service, and a product range grounded in our timber expertise, we believe these updates will reflect the needs of our customers and strengthen our partnership.”

Steve Galbraith, Managing Director of MGM Timber, said: “Our research showed that 70% of our customers believe our timber specialism is fundamental to our offering, and demonstrated that our quality, expertise, and product range are the key points of difference. Central to this is also our customer service, so we wanted to maximise this offering by ensuring all our branches provide a consistent experience with more clarity in our product ranges and improved retail displays, starting with our new location in St Andrews.”

MGM Timber operates from 15 branches across Scotland, located in Broxburn, Clydebank, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh (Newcraighall), Edinburgh City (Lochend), Glenrothes, Grangemouth, Hamilton, Inverness, Paisley, Perth, Prestwick, St Andrews, and Wishaw.