Howarth Timber

About Howarth Timber

With over 175 years’ trading experience, the Howarth Timber Group has grown to provide not only the widest range of products, but expertise, service and knowledge you can rely on. Now the UK’s largest privately-owned timber company, our origins can be traced back to 1840 when we commenced trading as Hudson & Co. Over the years the Howarth Timber Group has expanded from a one man company to an employer of more than 1,000 people specialists who know the industry inside out.

Company culture

We are a family business rooted in family values, fostering a close-knit and supportive work environment. We prioritise employee engagement through our Colleague Engagement Groups and conduct an Annual Engagement Survey to gather feedback and continuously improve. Our commitment to the community is reflected in our regular charity events, and we actively promote employee wellbeing with our dedicated Wellbeing Calendar, offering initiatives throughout the year to support mental and physical health.

Employee benefits and perks

We offer a great range of benefits:

Additional leave (Buy & Sell)
Company pension
Cycle to work scheme
Employee discount
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Paid volunteer time
Sick pay
Store discount
Employee Assistance
EV car scheme

GP, Physio and Mental Health Support

Career development and growth

We provide a range of in-house training opportunities, including both levy-funded and non-levy-funded courses, to support the continuous development of our employees. Additionally, our Howarth Timber Academy platform offers further resources and training programs to enhance skills and knowledge across the business.

EDI (equity, diversity & inclusion) initiatives

Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is central to our workplace culture. We have a robust EDI policy that ensures all employees are treated fairly, respected, and valued, regardless of their background, identity, or experiences. This policy guides our efforts to create a workplace where diverse perspectives are embraced, and everyone feels empowered to contribute.

We actively promote several EDI initiatives across our business. Each year, we hold an event for International Women’s Day, celebrating the achievements of women and encouraging more women to enter and grow within our industry. This event provides an opportunity for networking, mentorship, and sharing experiences, fostering connections among women at all levels of the business.

Our focus on diversity extends to our hiring practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates. We continuously assess and refine our policies to ensure that we are creating a supportive and inclusive environment that attracts and retains a diverse workforce.

In line with our EDI principles, we encourage all employees to contribute to these initiatives and take an active role in promoting an inclusive workplace culture. We understand that candidates today seek employers who prioritise diversity, and we are committed to being one of those employers.

Sustainability / environmental stewardship

We are deeply committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. In recent years, we’ve recruited a dedicated Sustainability Manager to lead our green initiatives and drive eco-friendly practices throughout our operations.

We offer a range of sustainable, eco-friendly products and have implemented strategies to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and minimise our carbon footprint. Our goal is to continuously innovate and reduce our environmental impact, ensuring that our business contributes to a greener future.