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JW Timber has invested considerably in its modern approach to merchanting while holding fast to the best old values of the trade. Stephen Powney reports
It's been hard work, with many sacrifices along the way, but as Kent-based JW Timber celebrates its 10th anniversary, managing director John Wardle can allow himself more than a little satisfaction.
Years of working evenings and weekends and taking calculated financial risks have helped build a £ 1.5m annual turnover merchanting business which has made a profit every year since starting in 2003.
Being voted TTJ Small Business of the Year in 2011 brought acknowledgement of the company's achievements to the wider industry.
And now the company, based on a rural site near Maidstone, has positioned itself for the economic recovery by completing a new mill, and it has plans for new offices.
It's clear from talking to Mr Wardle that he is passionate about the timber trade and loves the old-fashioned industry values, but he also wants to add a "modern twist" to business.
He is also frustrated with the time and cost of red tape and talks honestly of the pressures of running a small business and balancing work with family life.
The seeds for JW Timber were sown when Mr Wardle was working for Morgan Timber and was left £13,000 in his grandfather's will.
Guided by an ambition to strike out on his own and to do something worthwhile with the money, he launched JW Timber Ltd, signing a five-year lease on a site in East Farleigh.
Mr Wardle's wife Louise continued in her accounts job to help pay the mortgage and they set up their spare room to do the paperwork during evenings and weekends.
Day one wasn't an ideal start; Mr Wardle had an accident involving a fork lift, requiring surgery to his hand.
In 2006, Mrs Wardle left her job to give her full support to the firm and an opportunity arose to rent larger premises in nearby Marden. They ended up purchasing the site, remortgaging their home and selling 20% shares to his mum and dad to finance the deal.
Planning permission to develop the new site took 12 months and Mr Wardle, family and friends spent most weekends and evenings...