MGM Timber opens fifteenth branch as it invests in retail experience across Scotland

Scotland’s largest independent specialist timber merchant, MGM Timber, has opened a new branch in St Andrews, its fifteenth in Scotland, as the business strengthens its brand across the country.

Following a programme of extensive customer research, the St Andrews location has been designed to reflect the insights customers provided to offer an improved in-branch experience, with a focus on lay-out, range optimisation, visual presentation, and in-situ displays.

Starting in St Andrews, this new in-store format will roll out across all locations in the coming months, along with an improved online and digital experience to help trade customers plan, estimate, and manage projects.

Established in 1991, and part of the Donaldson Group since 2005, MGM has grown to become one of Scotland’s leading local independent timber merchants for both trade and retail customers. 

The business has sales in excess of £75m per annum, averages 16,000 customer visits per month, and has 46 trucks servicing Scotland. At the centre of the product offering is a commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer service.

Graham Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of Donaldson Group’s Retail & Distribution, said: “The opening of St Andrews marks an exciting time for MGM Timber as we celebrate the fifteenth location in Scotland and a new retail experience for customers. St Andrews is close to the original home of the Donaldson Group, founded more than 160 years ago, and we’re going back to our roots as we invest in the future of the MGM Timber business with an improved concept. 

With a focus on quality, sustainability, customer service, and a product range grounded in our timber expertise, we believe these updates will reflect the needs of our customers and strengthen our partnership.”

Steve Galbraith, Managing Director of MGM Timber, said: “Our research showed that 70% of our customers believe our timber specialism is fundamental to our offering, and demonstrated that our quality, expertise, and product range are the key points of difference.

Central to this is also our customer service, so we wanted to maximise this offering by ensuring all our branches provide a consistent experience with more clarity in our product ranges and improved retail displays, starting with our new location in St Andrews.”

MGM Timber operates from 15 branches across Scotland, located in Broxburn, Clydebank, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh (Newcraighall), Edinburgh City (Lochend), Glenrothes, Grangemouth, Hamilton, Inverness, Paisley, Perth, Prestwick, St Andrews, and Wishaw.

Currently led by the sixth generation of the Donaldson family, the 163-year-old Donaldson Group comprises a total of 16 specialist timber and building product businesses and brands, operating throughout the UK from 47 locations employing over 1,700 people. 

The businesses that make up the Group trade and operate independently, sharing best practice, innovation, purchasing synergies, and market analysis.