MP visits James Jones sawmill

Douglas Ross, Conservative MP for Moray,discussed how the company’s on-going programme of investment is creating rural jobs in Moray and Aberdeenshire and contributing to local economies in Scotland as a whole.  Mr Ross was shown the primary and secondary timber processing and timber treatment facilities by James Jones’ Director David Leslie and senior site manager Neil Petrie.

Mr Leslie outlined in detail the development programme at Mosstodloch in recent years, totalling £10 million, the latest investment being the development on an innovative round fencing line, the first in the UK of its type.

The site – which employs more than 80 people - specialises in carcassing, fencing and palletwood and also has a timber retail centre that has become an important resource for the local domestic and agricultural markets. It also offers opportunities for young workers and employs two mechanical apprentices and one electrical apprentice.

Mr Leslie said: “With the forestry and sawmilling sectors facing major challenges in terms of supply, it is vital that companies like James Jones & Sons have the opportunity to speak openly and regularly with ministers and policy-makers to ensure that the decisions they make will support the future of our sector.

“Since acquiring the site at Mosstodloch almost 30 years ago, we have invested continually, as well as elsewhere in the North East and South West Scotland. We are committed to further investment in the North including projects of £8.5m at our Forres I-Joist plant and £5m at our Aboyne sawmill over the next year. This visit allowed us to demonstrate first hand to Mr Ross the important contribution our company is making to the Moray economy and what an integral part of the community James Jones Group continues to be.”

Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, said: “It's always great to see politicians across the UK visiting member companies to see the modern, hi-tech nature of our wood processing industry. James Jones & Sons and other Confor members have invested hundreds of millions of pounds over the last decade to create some of the world's most advanced wood processing facilities here in Scotland.

“This has helped the forestry and timber industry in Scotland deliver more than £1 billion in annual economic value and it now supports well over 25,000 jobs, largely in rural areas."

Mr Goodall added: “It is crucial that politicians from Westminster and Holyrood work together to protect this vital rural industry after Brexit. Forestry and timber production can deliver many of the public goods which Michael Gove has put at the heart of future rural policy - including climate change mitigation, reduced flood risk, public access and greater biodiversity. Confor works closely with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry (APPGF) at Westminster, to ensure forestry and wood is central to our rural future. We encourage all MPs to join the APPGF to ensure forestry and timber can deliver the widest possible range of economic, environmental and social benefits.”

Douglas Ross MP said: “Since first being elected to represent Mosstodloch over 10 years ago, I have been aware of the important role James Jones & Sons have played in the local area. They are a considerable business employing many local people and clearly they are employers who treat their staff well. I heard of several employees, who had worked at Mosstodloch for 40 or 50 years.

He added: “The visit was an ideal opportunity for me to see the huge range of products which are made at the Mosstodloch sawmill, and the sheer volume of timber which leaves this site destined for locations all over the UK. I’m very grateful to David and Neil for taking the time to show me round the site. It is a significant national business and local employer and I’m keen to work with them going forward as I am sure James Jones & Sons will continue to invest and expand in Moray in the future.”