Building strong foundations with Timber and Technology

Kirklees-based Timber Frame Construction company, TimberTight is experiencing a surge of growth, as demand increases for residential and commercial timber frame buildings. After recording 38 percent growth during October 2022 to 2023 - an increase from £3.75m to £5.2m - they have their sights set on doubling production capacity, with increased investment in staff, equipment, and digital marketing.

Identifying the opportunity to capitalise on growth, TimberTight sought out grant support from Digital Enterprise. Since 2016, Digital Enterprise has been empowering established businesses across West Yorkshire to thrive and innovate. Through their expertise, impartial advice, and grant funding, Digital Enterprise has enabled businesses to invest in resilient technology solutions, laying the groundwork for growth and complete digital transformation. With the successful application worth almost £5,000, TimberTight put the grant towards developing a new website, enabling them to elevate their brand and support their launch into the self-build housing market.

Led by husband-and-wife team, Paul and Tamsyn Williamson, TimberTight focusses on ‘doing things right’, with excellent customer service and quality products – while championing timber as an ethical choice of material, due to its carbon storing capabilities and sustainable forestry practices. TimberTight’s Structural Timber Association Gold status and ISO certification ensures that only the best certified materials are used in their manufacturing processes.

Tamsyn explains that she and Paul have always been open to new ideas and funding opportunities, “From very early on in our journey, we’ve had great input from Gill Watson, our Kirklees business manager. Gill has been instrumental in helping us source grant opportunities that have absolutely changed the direction of our business”. Coming full circle, Tamsyn explains “Gill suggested we look at Digital Enterprise at the perfect time, and this application resulted in a grant of almost £5,000 from Digital Enterprise, which has allowed us to take the next strategic step for the business.”

Now taking on a more active role in the business’s marketing, Tamsyn elaborates, “The new website had to be something special. By incorporating interactive 3D rendering and animation, we are able to showcase our services and products, and give potential customers an insight into our abilities and professionalism in this growing and niche sector. We wanted the upgraded site to future-proof our growth for the next 5 years and increase awareness of our PassivHaus eco-home standards.”

Responding to the surge of interest in independent, self-built homes, TimberTight’s strategy targeted potential clients who align with their sustainable, energy efficient, and affordable construction values. To prepare for an influx of new commissions, TimberTight created two new roles, a Trainee Technical Designer and a Factory Operative, to ensure a skilled, full team was ready to meet the demand.

Speaking on behalf of Digital Enterprise, Programme Manager Suzanne Bradbury notes, “TimberTight has had an incredible 5 years building the company. Supporting them with this grant has shown how sometimes, established businesses need that extra ‘push’ to encourage them to take a leap into new markets and grow their workforce. This is what grant funding does, it provides confidence which breeds opportunity. It’s fantastic to see.”
Following the success of this grant application, as well as many others since the launch of the third iteration of Digital Enterprise (DE3) in July 2023, the programme is looking for more businesses to apply for support before the programme ends in March 2025. Suzanne Bradbury continues, “We have over £3.5 million to assist over 450 businesses across West Yorkshire. We’ve helped some brilliant businesses already, but we know that there are still more businesses looking to invest in digital that we can support. The window of opportunity is getting smaller, and business need to apply sooner rather than later to take advantage of the funding that’s still available.”