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About Us

With over 175 years' trading experience, the Howarth Timber Group has grown to provide not only the widest range of products, but expertise, service and knowledge you can rely on. Now the UK's largest privately-owned timber company, our origins can be traced back to 1840 when we commenced trading as Hudson & Co. Over the years the Howarth Timber Group has expanded from a one man company to an employer of more than 1,000 people specialists who know the industry inside out.

title

About Us

With over 175 years' trading experience, the Howarth Timber Group has grown to provide not only the widest range of products, but expertise, service and knowledge you can rely on. Now the UK's largest privately-owned timber company, our origins can be traced back to 1840 when we commenced trading as Hudson & Co. Over the years the Howarth Timber Group has expanded from a one man company to an employer of more than 1,000 people specialists who know the industry inside out.

Much more than just timber

Today, the Howarth Timber Group encompasses a network of 30 timber and builders' merchant branches geographically spread across the country, complemented by dedicated manufacturing divisions supplying class-leading windows and doors and highly specialist timber engineering products and services.

The group has achieved Chain of Custody certification covering all divisions, proving compliance with government specifications for timber sourced from legal and well-managed sources. The accreditation also confirms that the company meets the requirements of the construction industry's independent third party audit organisations. We work consistently to reduce the impact our activities has on current and future generations.

With a continued clear focus, the Howarth Timber Group is proud of its place at the very forefront of its industry.

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Leading Supply Partners

Howarth Timber & Building Supplies is proud to be associated with many of the top manufacturers of construction and home products in the UK.

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Our history

When a young man, John Howarth, came from Lancashire with his family to work for his uncle’s small but thriving timber business in Leeds in the latter half of the nineteenth century, the idea that, today, the firm he joined would not only bear his name but still be owned, managed and controlled by his descendants must surely have never entered his head.

Under the imaginative direction of successive generations of the wider Howarth family, the group has developed into the clear leader it is today – a business with character, strength and values, and a company that enjoys the loyalty of those it employs.

Such qualities are reflected in the service we offer our customers today – those on the front line and those who work behind the scenes share a passion for putting the customer first, imparting detailed knowledge and supplying products and services that are recognised throughout the industry as class leaders.

A determination to be the best has been the hallmark of the Howarth Timber Group since its formation more than 180 years ago. Then and now, this marks us out as more than different – it makes us unique.

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