National Timber Group England, one of the UK’s largest timber suppliers, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk as the business seeks urgent restructuring and rescue options.
The Sheffield-headquartered division, based on Bramall Lane, forms part of National Timber Group Midco, which has also submitted a notice of intention to appoint administrators, indicating financial challenges across the wider group.
The business operates a nationwide network of timber distribution and processing sites, trading under several well-known sector brands including Arnold Laver, National Timber Systems, SV Timber and NORclad. Branches in Alfreton, Nottingham and Leicester are among those expected to be impacted.
The group’s most recent accounts, covering the year ending 31 December 2023, reported:
Turnover: more than £196 million
Pre-tax losses: £6.3 million
Headcount: over 1,000 employees
Despite its scale and longstanding market presence, rising costs and weakening demand across the construction sector have contributed to sustained trading pressures.
National Timber Group England traces its origins back to 1920, when it was founded in Sheffield by Arnold Laver. Over more than a century, it has grown into a major supplier to:
joinery manufacturers
housebuilders and contractors
large-scale infrastructure projects
The business is supported by extensive warehousing, processing and distribution capabilities, making it a critical part of the UK timber supply chain.
A Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators typically provides the company with a short period of protection from creditor action. During this time, options may be explored including:
a refinancing or investment deal
a sale of the business
a restructuring process such as a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)
a trading administration if no buyer is found immediately
The goal is generally to preserve as much of the business and employment as possible.
The construction materials sector has faced sustained challenges, including:
reduced housebuilding activity
inflationary pressures on imported timber
higher financing and logistics costs
contractor insolvencies affecting supply-chain payment cycles
National Timber Group England’s situation is likely to have implications for timber availability and pricing, particularly for joinery and housing developers.
Administrators are expected to be formally appointed once the NOI period ends, unless a rescue option is secured beforehand. Suppliers, customers and employees are awaiting further updates as the restructuring process progresses.
While this news develops, here is a quick guide to the legal realities of the administration process.
The Process: Administration is a legal “moratorium” that protects insolvent companies from creditor action. Licensed Insolvency Practitioners take control to either rescue the business or sell its assets to achieve a better result than immediate closure.
Who gets paid? There is a strict legal queue. Secured lenders (banks) and “preferential” creditors (employees and HMRC) are paid first. Unsecured creditors, including trade suppliers and customers, are at the back of the line and often receive nothing.
Employees: Redundancies often occur in the first 14 days. After this window, the administrator “adopts” remaining contracts, making ongoing wages a priority. Unpaid redundancy or notice pay can usually be claimed through the government’s Redundancy Payments Service.
Suppliers & Customers: Suppliers should negotiate “pro-forma” (upfront) terms for any new orders. For customers, gift cards and deposits are rarely honored. However, if you paid over £100 via credit card, you may be able to claim a refund under Section 75.
Written ByRobert Moore
Marketing Manager
Rob has over two decades of experience in web and general marketing. He has extensive knowledge of the Insolvency sector and has helped many worried directors with their questions.
Rob is now working with the Board at RMT to develop strategic marketing programmes to support the business plan and drive more company rescues.
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