James Latham, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading timber, panel, and decors distributors, affirms its ongoing commitment to, and investment in, Ireland’s thriving building products market, with a complete brand refresh for its businesses in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Bringing its entire distribution network into the James Latham brand family, the move will see its existing partners, Abbey Woods, and IJK Timber Ltd, officially adopt the parent company’s name, aligning with the business’ other Irish division, Latham Direct Timber.

Not only does this initiative underscore the company’s unwavering dedication to growth and innovation within the Irish market, but it also celebrates the similar values, ethos, and approaches shared across the whole business. 

Whilst customers will experience the same great service and expert support they’ve come to expect, they will also benefit from the enhanced proposition this strategic recalibration will bring.

Stronger together

James Latham first took a footprint in the Irish market in 2019, with the acquisition of Abbey Woods followed by IJK Timber Ltd in 2021 and the establishment of Latham Direct Timber’s direct from port operation in the same year. Since then, it has worked to fine-tune its proposition across the territory and now with island-wide coverage, it possesses one of the territory’s most extensive ranges of timber, décors, and timber panels.

The decision to rebrand Abbey Woods and IJK Timber Ltd marks a new chapter in the company’s 268-year history.

From today, both will begin trading as one entity, under the existing group name: James Latham.

Assimilation with the parent brand will improve internal processes, strengthen supply chains, and boost confidence in the company’s security amongst customers, investors, and stakeholders alike. Importantly, it will position the business as one of Ireland’s largest, and furthest-reaching, material distributors.

Access all Ireland

The Irish rebrand will also see James Latham increase its distribution and logistical efficiency, to get products to clients, from enquiry to delivery, as quickly as possible.

To help achieve this goal, it has merged Abbey Woods’ Cork and Dublin depots, increasing capacity in one centrally-located hub. This will facilitate faster distribution of products to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland alike. James Latham will continue to maintain IJK Timber’s existing foothold in Belfast.

Combining a personal touch and local knowledge with the wider support of the entire James Latham portfolio of services, the territory’s two distribution depots are fully equipped with a wide array of premium products sourced worldwide, including hardwoods, softwoods, engineered and modified timber, decorative surfaces, cladding, decking, shingles, and specialist panels.

A dedicated and direct service

The Dublin and Belfast depots work closely with the ‘Latham Direct Timber Team,’ a specialised division based in Naul, focused on supplying bulk quantities of timber direct from Dublin Port to large volume users such as furniture and joinery shops, scale-housing developers, and timber & builders’ merchants. A valuable part to the Group’s Irish offering, this service offers the advantages of unprecedented speed and cost-efficiency through direct load shipping.

To complement this robust distribution network, Latham Direct Timber also has extensive kilning facilities in Co. Kildare, ensuring timber distributed is perfectly dry and ready for immediate use (if required), meeting even the most immediate needs.

Unmatched expertise

That’s not all, the Irish market will have access to James Latham’s entire service proposition, bringing its broader network of 12 depots and support services, including decorative timber and cladding specialist Dresser Mouldings, closer together than ever before. Customers will also have cross-border access to the company’s full complement of seasoned timber professionals, each poised to offer expert advice and guidance, even for the most challenging of briefs.

Commenting on the move, Andrew Wright, Managing Director at Lathams Ltd said: “Ireland is one of our fastest growing markets. This division alignment is a gesture toward how much we value our presence in the territory and our ongoing commitment to supporting our amazing colleagues in the region.

“Customers can look forward to greater access to a wider variety of materials, ensuring a one-stop solution for all timber, décors, and panel product needs. The streamlined service from merged depots ensures efficient and reliable distribution across Northern Ireland and the Republic, delivered by familiar teams, but with more resources and support from the wider James Latham Group.”