MGM Timber, reputedly Scotland’s largest independent specialist timber merchant, has opened a new branch in St Andrews as the business looks to strengthens its brand across Scotland.
Established in 1991, MGM Timber’s new branch in St Andrews has become is its fifteenth location in Scotland. Following a programme of extensive customer research, the business says that the new store has been designed to reflect the insights provided by “offering an improved experience, with a focus on layout, range optimisation, visual presentation, and in-situ displays.”
Starting in St Andrews, MGM Timber states that this new in-store format will roll out across all locations in the coming months, along with an improved online and digital experience to help trade customers plan, estimate, and manage projects.
Steve Galbraith, Managing Director of MGM Timber, said: “Our research showed that 70% of our customers believe our timber specialism is fundamental to our offering, and demonstrated that our quality, expertise, and product range are the key points of difference. Central to this is also our customer service, so we wanted to maximise this offering by ensuring all our branches provide a consistent experience with more clarity in our product ranges and improved retail displays, starting with our new location in St Andrews.
“We know that our trade customers are busy and need to be able to manage their projects efficiently, and we hope our new branch will provide just that. And in creating this optimisation, we believe members of the public visiting our stores will also find that our new retail layout creates an even better experience. This is at the heart of everything we do.”
Graham Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of parent company Donaldson Group’s Retail & Distribution, said: “The opening of St Andrews marks an exciting time for MGM Timber as we celebrate the fifteenth location in Scotland, and a new retail experience for customers. St Andrews is close to the original home of the Donaldson Group, founded more than 160 years ago, and we’re going back to our roots as we invest in the future of the MGM Timber business with an improved concept.
“With a focus on quality, sustainability, customer service, and a product range grounded in our timber expertise, we believe these updates will reflect the needs of our customers and strengthen our partnership.”
A part of the Donaldson Group since 2005, MGM Timber’s highly knowledgeable staff operate from 15 branches across Scotland, located in Broxburn, Clydebank, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh (Newcraighall), Edinburgh City (Lochend), Glenrothes, Grangemouth, Hamilton, Inverness, Paisley, Perth, Prestwick, St Andrews, and Wishaw.
Currently led by the sixth generation of the Donaldson family (with Andrew Donaldson as CEO and Michael Donaldson as Chair), the 163-year-old Donaldson Group comprises a total of 16 specialist timber and building product businesses and brands, operating throughout the UK from 47 locations employing over 1,700 people. The businesses that make up the Group trade and operate independently, sharing best practice, innovation, purchasing synergies, and market analysis.
Donaldson Group companies:
Donaldson Timber Systems: leading offsite timber systems manufacturer.
Donaldson Timber Engineering: national manufacturer of roof trusses and flooring systems.
James Donaldson Timber: forest product importer, further processor and national distributor.
MGM Timber (Scotland): independent timber merchant.
Kitchens International: independent kitchen retailer with six showrooms across Scotland.
Nu-Style Products: manufacturer of laminate panels, including Perform Panel brand and furniture.
Donaldson Door Systems: joinery manufacturer of door sets.
James Donaldson Insulation: distributor of insulation products to the trade.
Smith & Frater: design and manufacture of kitchens and home office furniture.
Stonecare: supplier of solid worktops to the UK kitchen industry.
Plane & Simple: pioneering online DIY marketplace, featuring high quality building materials and home improvement supplies.
Perform Panel: manufacturer of high-quality laminate wet wall panels and high-performance modern shower panels.
Donaldson Direct: online roof truss ordering service.
MGM Kitchens: UK’s largest partner of Bauformat and Burger kitchens, available from 12 branches across Scotland
TimberCut4U: e-commerce site supplying cut timber for DIY projects.
Optima Kitchens: design and manufacture of quality kitchens across Scotland for over 30 years.
