BSW Timber Acquires 67-Acre Arjo Wiggins Site in Fort William

Phased Expansion Planned for Fort William Sawmill

45 New Jobs Created

BSW Timber, the UK's largest sawmilling group, is to acquire the former Arjo Wiggins paper mill site at Fort William. 

Contracts for the purchase have been exchanged and completion is anticipated during April.

The deal will pave the way for a phased relocation and expansion of BSW's Fort William sawmill, which sits opposite the Arjo Wiggins site on the shores of Loch Linnhe.   

BSW plans to invest more than £25 million into the new site as part of a phased expansion programme - likely to create 45 new jobs and safeguard a further 88 at the existing sawmill.  The company anticipate a further 100 indirect jobs will be created within its supply and distribution chain.

The new mill will have more than twice the output of BSW's current Fort William site and has the potential to become the UK's largest sawmill.  The expansion is being supported with an aid package of £5.25 million, made up of a £3million grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (including a £2m development grant, and £1m HIE productivity grant) and a further £2.25 million in Regional Selective Assistance from the Scottish Executive.

BSW Timber's Chief Executive Paul Barham says: "Since becoming part of BSW in 1988, our Fort William operation has been an important element of the BSW Group's UK production and distribution network. But the size of our current site is a major constraint on growing the business.

"The former Arjo Wiggins site gives BSW the perfect opportunity to invest in the expansion and relocation of our Fort William