Oregon Timber Frame

The Selkirk-based company expects to turn over £18m this year supplying timber frames to UK housebuilders including Miller, CALA, Wimpey, Countryside, Redrow and Bellway and has enjoyed 30% year-on-year growth thanks to the property boom.

But with the decline of the Borders knitwear industry, many local workers had moved to other towns to find employment and Oregon was struggling to find labour to meet capacity - until last June.

"There are quite a lot of Polish people in Selkirk and as we are classed as one of the major businesses in the area, three Poles approached us directly and we recruited them on spec," explained human resources manager Tammy Yourston.

"Because there was no local labour available at the time, they continued to improving our productivity and they also have very low rates of absenteeism. The local workers and the Poles are treated the same in the factory and everyone is made to feel part of one team."

The Poles work as timber frame fabricators, responsible for cutting and assembling floor cassettes and wall and gable panels. Working as a team has helped overcome initial communication problems and allowed the group to learn about handling and health and safety procedures. The Poles are now an integral part of Oregon's 92-strong workforce.

"We've certainly not had a bad experience to date and they bridge the employment gap that we were experiencing," Yourston said.

"Traditionally the Borders has been known for the knitwear industry rather than construction, but Oregon has grown from strength to strength and I think people now regard us as a successful company that has prospects."

Contact

Tammy Yourston
Human Resources Manager
Oregon Timber Frame
Portland Buildings
Dunsdale Road
Selkirk TD7 5EB
Tel: 01750 724940
Web: www.oregon.co.uk