OUR FAMILY STORY
In January 2000, after spending many years as a management consultant/head-hunter in the FMCG and pharmaceutical sectors, Chris decided to realise his passion for designing and a love of timber.
His carpentry and creative skills, along with CAD/CAM design work that involved collaboration with the senior composite engineer at Williams F1, had already been put to good use during his competitive sailing years, where he managed to win National, Regional and European championships. 4th in the Worlds and Olympic trials, but now was the time to step it up a gear and start a timber business utilising these skills.
After much research and converting an old boat trailer into a box trailer to keep tools inside and transport timber on the top, the journey started. The Quality Timber Decking company was born, and the Yellow Pages were used for advertising, offering a bespoke design and construction for customers in the residential and commercial marketplace.
At that time, grooved softwood decking was all the rage and was given publicity by Alan Titchmarsh and the TV program ‘Groundforce’. Unfortunately, grooved decking was driven on by uneducated marketing tactics, as its longevity and maintenance were poor. This was something Chris did not agree with and was therefore probably the first to start building elevated and ground decks and boardwalks, etc, using smooth profile boards, which he had specially machined by a local sawmill.
As business grew, the projects became more involved, including designing garden buildings and bicycle units for commercial developments using the highest quality and most stable timbers available. Several specialist projects soon followed, some of which are named on the website like the Wetlands Trust that the Queen opened.
Sandra (Wife) came on board in 2006 after being a key person in the HP and Compac merger, taking voluntary redundancy after 23 years’ service, to run the accounts and admin responsibilities and now as Joint Director is still a key person in helping to drive the business, especially from a finance point of view.
By 2016, Emma (Daughter) had just achieved her A levels and joined the business, starting at the bottom and learning everything. By 2018, she decided to take on a degree in Architecture, but in order to keep working in the company, she decided to study as a part-time student, so we granted her day release to do this. 7 years later, she achieved a first-class honours degree in BA (Hons) Architecture and is currently in the middle of studying for her master’s degree. Emma has advanced within the company and now serves as our Operations Director, overseeing the office operations, sales, marketing, and customer service departments.
We were increasingly being asked by commercial clients if we could also supply the materials we were sourcing, and Quality Timber Supplies was formed. Since then, we have steadily grown and diversified the business known today as QTD.
Our workshop manufacturing facilities allow us to design and customise different products, fulfilling our customers’ wishes for something bespoke. We have nurtured this passion to become leaders in our field, and through our green credentials, we are one of a handful of companies in this market to be able to provide an FSC® and PEFC full chain of custody certification from the harvesting of the timber through to project completion.
With QTD’s extensive construction knowledge in the field, machining and finishing using specialist ThermoWood’s and UK-grown timbers on external and internal projects puts us in the unique position of understanding what does and doesn’t work in the UK climate. We can, therefore, pass on our expertise and guidance in helping you to make the right choice of material for timber construction projects, whether you are Architects / Specifiers, Trade or Domestic customers.
QTD have achieved many firsts in this market under our brands ThermoChar®, AtelierClad® AtelierDeck® QFlex®, Invizifix® and Qbriquettes® ranges, and Qtd will continue to innovate and push the green boundaries using the latest technology.
Our production process includes kiln-drying all the UK-grown timbers ready to machine profile and finish, using equipment that enhances the woods grain structure before either Charring, Painting, Fire-Treating or UV sealing.
Director
What is FSC®?
The Forest Stewardship Council® is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.
FSC® runs a global forest certification system with two key components: Forest Management and Chain of Custody certification. This system allows consumers to identify, purchase and use timber and forest products produced from well-managed forests.
FSC®’s “tick tree” logo is used on product labels to indicate whether products are certified under the FSC® system. When you see the FSC® logo on a label you can buy timber and other wood products, such as paper, with the confidence that you are not contributing to the destruction of the world’s forests.
FSC® is recognised by WWF as the “hallmark of responsible forest management” FSC® certified forests are managed with consideration for people, wildlife and the environment…
OUR
CERTIFICATES
QTD has undergone an extensive audit process and has achieved accreditation, being awarded Chain of Custody Certification with FSC® (Cert No. TT-COC-002360) and PEFC (Cert No. BMT-PEFC-00356). QTD are one of very few Design, Build and Supply companies in the UK that can provide a full unbroken chain of custody certification from managed forest through to the customer. When you review our products you will see which ones are FSC® certified.
What is PEFC?
PEFC is the world’s leading forest certification system and an internationally recognised brand devoted to ensuring that forests are managed according to environmental, social and economic criteria.
They are an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management through independent third-party certification.
PEFC has spent almost 20 years promoting Sustainable Forest Management and creating a strong framework for the protection of the world’s forests and at the same time promoting a strong global timber market.
OUR
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
‘QTD Ltd recognises that it has an impact on the environment and is committed to minimising this impact when delivering its services. It also encourages its customers and suppliers to reduce their impact on the environment’
Environmental consideration is given to:
– Waste Disposal
– Energy Consumption
– Ordering
OUR FACTORY
Our mission is to provide our customers with high quality natural timber that is produced in the most environmentally friendly way without the use of chemicals and additives that are used in WPC, Composite hybrid products that harm the environment and end up in landfill sites.
All of our hardwood and softwood timber is premium clear grade and sourced from FSC and sustainable forestry practices, to provide maximum durability and stability that is expected in the 21st century. We constantly evaluate the current aesthetic trends in the market in accordance with customer requests which is important when creating visual and dimensionally stable products.
Read all about how QTD Ltd contribute to combating climate change.
As a company that handles its raw materials from sustainable sources and applies all the procedures for planting new trees in place of each raw material we use, we know that we need to do more.
