Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK’s largest residential developers, plans to expand its timber frame activities to develop a new, fully automated timber frame factory in Kingston Park, Peterborough. The development of an in-house timber frame manufacturing facility offers Taylor Wimpey significant operational and environmental benefits, supporting the business’ goal of increasing the usage of timber frame on its sites.

This new facility is an important piece in Taylor Wimpey’s Timber Frame strategy, which will further embed sustainability throughout the business whilst also providing significant operational benefits.

Timber frame can have a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional ‘brick and block’ building techniques due to the nature of the materials and use of off-site manufacture techniques. Increasing the use of timber frame, amongst other low carbon construction materials, significantly advances Taylor Wimpey’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint towards net zero and supports the business’ wider ESG commitments as well as further ensuring the business’ preparedness for the incoming Future Homes Standard.

From an operational perspective, timber frame provides a cost-effective solution for establishing internal control and visibility of supply that will also improve process and logistics efficiencies.

The factory spans over 240,000 sq ft and neighbours Taylor Wimpey’s existing Logistics site at Kingston Park, Peterborough. Construction is expected to be completed by Spring 2023 with initial focus on the production of external panels, internal partitions, and floors.

Nick Wright, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Director of Taylor Wimpey, said: “The establishment of a new timber frame factory demonstrates our commitment to delivering futureproofed homes and communities. Timber frame is a key part of Taylor Wimpey’s long-term strategy to deliver low carbon, energy efficient homes and communities, whilst also providing operational efficiencies and security of supply.”