ABERDEENSHIRE timber frame specialist Scotframe, which was acquired by French group Saint-Gobain last November, has flagged its ambition of trebling its annual turnover in England to about £7.5 million over the next three years.

Inverurie-based Scotframe, which has an overall annual turnover of £35m and employs 160 people, is targeting a larger share of the fast-growing, self-build housing market in England, capitalising on recent legislative change.

Malcolm Thomson, sales director at Scotframe, noted 83 per cent of new-build homes in Scotland used timber frame, compared with just 23% in England.

He added: “However, the market share for timber construction in England is steadily rising and I believe this trend will continue.”

Scotframe, which was acquired by French giant Saint-Gobain last November, has launched a permanent sales office and showroom at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon.

The NSBRC describes itself as “the UK’s only permanent venue designed specifically to meet the needs of anyone looking to undertake a self-build, renovation or home-improvement project”.

Mr Thomson said: “Timber frame is a particularly attractive option for self-build, which is growing in popularity south of the border, thanks to the recent Right to Build legislation. We hope having a presence at the NSBRC will help us tap into this burgeoning self-build market in England.”