WJ Group Reflect On A Fantastic 2024
As we close out 2024, we reflect on a year of remarkable growth, innovation, and achievement across all areas of our business. From new product launches to major infrastructure investments, this year has set the stage for future success. Here's a comprehensive look back at our accomplishments. WJ Components This year marked an extraordinary leap forward for our components team, with innovation at its core. The launch of our timber chassis was a standout achievement, with us receiving two patents for the innovation. The chassis was also showcased at our first-ever Harrogate Show stand, where it garnered significant attention and encouraged the conversation of the increased use of timber as a sustainable material. Rigorous field testing of timbers and various treatments are helping us to reinforce the quality and durability of the chassis. I-beams and I-beam kits saw growth and popularity this year as an alternative to solid timber, with adopting manufacturers benefitting from meeting the new BS-3632:2023 specification changes regarding improvements in caravan U-values. We also developed multiple new truss designs for our widest range of customers to date, including our vaulted I-beam truss and a unique curved I-beam truss. Our timber engineering factory also benefitted from the introduction of a new Stromab automatic cross-cut machine, boosting our in-house cross cutting efficiencies. We introduced modular timber holiday home decking, adding versatility to our product offerings and giving parks a more sustainable and quality option to UPVC. A particularly exciting milestone was the construction and sale of a full shepherd’s hut on a timber chassis, demonstrating the practical applications of our pioneering product range. Recognition of our efforts this year culminated in winning the TTJ Innovation Award 2024 and being a finalist at the 2024 HEY Business Award for our chassis product. DeckWright® This year, DeckWright® were honoured with the 2024 WPA Treated Project of the Year Award, reflecting the quality of our provision. To further support our merchant stockists across the UK, we introduced new display decking panels, improving product visibility and customer engagement at merchant sites. Once again, we achieved the TDCA DeckMark® Performance Plus certification underscoring the superior performance of DeckWright anti-slip decking and strengthening customer confidence in our brand. Our anti-slip treatment service saw the widest range of species treated throughout the 2024 year across both of our treatment sites with softwood, hardwoods and thermally modified. Continuous testing and development through the year has led to new and exciting things to come in 2025. FireWright FireWright® saw significant progress this year, focusing on both capacity expansion, treatable species and documentation. All this, while expanding our customer base as the FireWright treatment rapidly grows in popularity due to our comprehensive documentation and non-toxic treatment chemical. With the purchase of three new kilns, we have substantially increased our kilning capacity heading into 2025, ensuring we can meet growing demand through a reduction in our lead times. The investment into the testing of two new species and the consequent certifications demonstrated our ongoing commitment to broadening our treatment capabilities. A fantastic result came through in October with FireWright treated materials undertaking successful, random testing by the Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), providing assurance of compliance and safety. Timber Treatments A new 19-metre treatment tank was a significant investment for our Timber Treatments team, opening the future for WJ to handle larger capacities and meet increasing demand efficiently moving into 2025. Our Hull treatments team saw an increase in haulage for existing and new customers throughout the year further utilising our fleet of HGVs and offering customers an all-in-one solution. Investment was also made to our Hull site, improving an existing tank with a new door and seal while also extending the office on site. Group-Wide Achievements As a Group, we also enhanced our digital presence this year by launching three new websites (WJ Group, FireWright & DeckWright) ensuring better accessibility and customer journeys for stakeholders and customers alike. Across the organisation, we made strides in sustainability, professional development, and branding. The installation of solar panels at our Head Office in Hull marked a major step toward reducing our carbon footprint and aligning with environmentally responsible practices. Staff participation in wood science courses, including sawmill site visits, enhanced team expertise and technical knowledge, further strengthening our workforce. Branding efforts also received a boost, with newly branded vehicles hitting the road and increasing our visibility in the field. Our haulage operations expanded into more regular external haulage jobs for our customers and saw a new 18T truck purchased to add to our existing fleet. As 2024 comes to a close, we are proud of the progress made across all areas of the business. This year’s achievements have positioned us for continued innovation and success in the years ahead. We would like to thank all of our customers for their continued support and we wish everyone a lovely Christmas break.