The 50-year-old from just outside Kintore replaces the recently retired factory manager and joins the firm as it extends its geographic reach and operations beyond Scotland, south of the border.

As part of the extended role, he will be responsible for overseeing production, logistics, factory operational efficiency, and production development.

His appointment marks a strategic time in the expansion of the Aberdeenshire business, which from its inception has invested significantly in its factory facility. This includes £3 million in state-of-the-art machinery and technology, to ensure it has the capability and capacity to support the growing timber frame market and customers’ needs.

Alan’s unique set of skills and significant experience – with over 30 years working in manufacturing – means that he can further support lean methods of operations, maximising the innovative technology of Kirkwood’s factory.

He has worked for British Steel, where he completed its graduate trainee programme and has considerable experience in the construction industry, having worked for one of the UK’s leading timber frame companies and more recently a refrigerated trailer manufacturer, managing teams of up to 150 people.

Amongst Alan’s skills is site operation planning, Health and Safety (H&S) improvement initiatives, team leadership and management, cost control and reduction. He is also well versed on a variety of Microsoft and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

He said: “I was attracted to the role at Kirkwood Timber Frame due to its vision and the significant investment it has made in its factory.

“It is a growing business which identified the opportunity - and positioned itself -to tap into the English market. It has the equipment and knowhow to help developers, SMEs, and self-builders in England, become early adopters of this modern method of construction. The business is also well known for its green efficiencies and cost saving credentials.

“It is exciting to be part of such a skilled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic team that is driving the business forward by investing in its people, technology, products and services, for the benefit of its customers.”

Malcolm Thomson, managing director at Kirkwood Timber Frame, added: “Alan is a key appointment to the team. We are committed to recruiting and retaining experienced and skilled staff.

“His appointment marks a pivotal time in the business, as we begin working on new contracts in Scotland and the rest of the UK. We are confident that Alan will maximise our factory capabilities as well as supporting our operatives, who are an integral part of our team.

“According to the Structural Timber Association’s research, there is existing capacity in the established structural timber sector to double timber frame manufacturing output to achieve 100,000 homes per annum – equivalent to 1-in-3 of the 300,000 homes needed each year.

“We want to lead in the delivery of more timber frame properties and buildings, by being a tried and tested partner that can support customers through the entire process - from conception to design and delivery. We understand that this is not a ‘one size fits all approach’ and we continue to collaborate with our customers to create bespoke timber frame solutions within budget, but that exceed expectations.”

Kirkwood Timber Frame has over 40 years’ experience in delivering timber frame structures. Its factory is one of only a handful in the UK to have the machinery and capability to produce panels of 12 meters in length, 3.2m high and up to 300mm deep.

Recent milestone projects include supplying and installing the timber frames for:

• Accommodation to house 55 students in Dundee
• 64 affordable homes in Earlston, Berwickshire
• 45 homes in the Northeast of England delivering a regional housebuilder’s first timber frame development.
• 38 properties for Cala Homes in Aberdeenshire
• 120 homes for Cruden Group in East Calder
• Partnering Places for People Scotland on delivering its Timber Frame Framework. This includes five live sites, with a sixth due to start in January 2025, combined these total 580 homes. 

Kirkwood Timber Frame also has a proven track record of successfully delivering self-build projects for customers in city, urban, rural, and isolated locations across the UK.