Donaldson Timber Systems

Meeting the UK’s housing demand is one of the greatest challenges facing the construction industry today. With government targets to deliver 300,000 new homes annually, traditional construction methods alone cannot deliver at the speed or scale required. This is where Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), including timber frame systems, play a critical role in transforming how homes are designed, built, and delivered.

What is MMC?

Modern Methods of Construction refers to innovative building techniques that improve efficiency, sustainability, and quality in housebuilding. These include offsite construction, modular systems, panelised timber frame solutions, and other approaches designed to accelerate delivery while meeting the highest performance standards.

Why is MMC essential to scale housing delivery?

1. Speed of build

Offsite timber frame systems, such as those manufactured by Donaldson Timber Systems, allow homes to be assembled on site much faster than traditional masonry methods. Components are precision-engineered in factory conditions and delivered just in time for installation. This reduces construction programmes significantly, enabling house builders and housing providers to meet urgent demand.

2. Consistent quality

Offsite production ensures that every panel and system is manufactured under controlled conditions, minimising defects and delays. For housebuilders, local authorities, and affordable housing providers, this consistency translates into greater reliability and long-term performance of homes.

3. Sustainability and net zero

The government’s Future Homes Standard and net zero targets require lower carbon solutions in construction. MMC, and particularly timber frame, provides a natural, low-carbon building method with excellent energy performance. By adopting MMC, house builders and housing providers can not only meet regulatory requirements but also deliver greener, more sustainable homes for communities.

4. Cost efficiency at scale

By reducing time on site, minimising waste, and improving predictability, MMC helps developers and housing associations manage costs more effectively. Combined with growing housing demand, the efficiencies of MMC make it a commercially viable and scalable solution.

5. Supporting affordable housing delivery

Local councils and housing associations face the dual challenge of delivering more homes at lower cost while maintaining high quality and sustainability standards. MMC offers a practical solution, enabling providers to accelerate delivery of affordable, energy-efficient homes that meet community needs.

Leading the way in MMC and timber frame

With over 50 years of expertise and more than 150,000 homes built, Donaldson Timber Systems  is at the forefront of MMC in the UK. Our timber frame systems combine speed, sustainability, and reliability, helping our customers reduce costs, cut carbon, and deliver homes at scale. Backed by accreditations such as BOPAS+ and BBA, we offers trusted, future-ready building solutions.

The demand for new homes will only continue to grow, and traditional construction alone cannot keep pace. By embracing Modern Methods of Construction, and in particular timber frame systems, the UK housing sector can deliver more homes, faster, while achieving higher quality, sustainability, and affordability. We are committed to supporting housebuilders, contractors, and housing providers in making this transition — ensuring housing delivery meets the needs of today and the future.

In 2022 DTS created a new training programme to develop the next generation of contracts supervisors and managers. It brings in colleagues at a junior level and takes them through a series of steps and experiences to understand timber frame manufacturing, particularly the site management side of the business.

Six people in total have started the programme, including Kim Veness, who joined the programme in June last year, having formerly worked in the DTS commercial team.

We sat down with Kim to find out what inspired the career change and to see where the journey is taking her so far.

Tell us about your role

My current role at DTS is a trainee contracts supervisor. As part of my development within this role, I attend a day release college course doing a HNC in Construction management (2 years).

What does your average day look like?

My role is to visit one of my sites at least once a week, especially when there are kit deliveries. I’m there to support our installers on site, so I make sure they are following H&S rules (RAMS) and are working to our details and procedures. I’m also a support to the client, making sure they’re happy that everything is running smoothly.

What role did you start in at DTS?

I started within the design department in 2018 as a design processor. Prior to starting at DTS I was doing an apprenticeship at a local horse racing yard but due to the long and unsociable hours I decided to apply for a job a DTS.

I really enjoyed my time in design as it taught me the processes involved in our industry from a design manufacturing and construction element.

I joined the commercial department as a commercial controller in March 2019. This role meant I engaged with the construction department and our sub-contract installers. While the apprenticeship was gruelling, I really enjoyed not being behind a desk all day and engaging with clients.

DTS embarked on this new trainee scheme, and I jumped at the opportunity to develop further.

What attracted you to a career in the timber industry?

There was a vacancy in the drawing office for a design processor, and I was the successful candidate. This was where my career in timber frame started.

When will you finish the programme and what will you end up with on completion? 

My trainee programme and college course are due to finish in July 2026, and I will be promoted to an assistant contracts manager.

Where do you hope to be in five years?

In five years, I will be one of the first female supervisors or contracts managers at DTS.

What do you like best about your job?

I enjoy learning new things, but mostly being customer facing and engaging with different people from all walks of life.

What would you say to someone considering a career in construction?

Go for it!!!

There are so many avenues to take within the construction industry, and it is always changing and evolving. The industry currently has a shortage in skilled workers so there are plenty of opportunities out there.

Interested in working with us? We’re always looking out for new talent. Contact us at DTScareers@donaldsontimbersystems.com or take a look at our careers page for more information.

As featured in Builders Merchants News, Alex Goodfellow, CEO Donaldson Offsite, explains how partnering with a timber frame manufacturer can help merchants seamlessly expand their offering and tap into a growing market.

There’s no doubt that timber buildings will be key to the response to climate change by replacing high impact materials like concrete and steel.

Backed by bodies like the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and National House-Building Council (NHBC), and supported by government initiatives, timber has gained significant support in UK housebuilding over the last decade. It is a future-proof material, which addresses challenges around housing supply, environmental impact and skills shortages, offering sustainability benefits, speed of construction, and alignment with the government’s net-zero targets.

In recognition of this, we’re seeing a culture shift – and it’s not just the big housebuilders making the move—local and regional builders, contractors, and developers are also transitioning to timber frame as a solution to sustainable housebuilding. As demand rises, builders’ merchants have a prime opportunity to diversify their product range, add value for customers, and drive new revenue streams.

The good news? Transitioning to selling timber frame doesn’t have to be complicated.

How a timber frame partner can help

For merchants new to timber frame, the idea of offering a full structural solution might seem daunting. But with the right manufacturing partner, the process is simple, streamlined, and packed with benefits.

By partnering with a trusted manufacturer like us, merchants can access:

• Quick and accurate pricing tools – A digital system that helps merchants price projects efficiently.
• Carbon calculator – A tool that allows builders to see the carbon savings of timber versus traditional materials before placing an order.
• Online learning platform – Training resources for both merchants and their customers, making timber frame expertise accessible and easy to understand.

We provide full training and technical support to ensure merchants and their customers understand timber frame construction, what works, what’s compliant, and how to deliver high-quality builds. Our CPD-approved training, including an introduction to timber frame, equips merchant teams with the knowledge they need to confidently offer timber solutions.

Ready to go house designs

One of the biggest advantages of working with a leading timber frame partner is access to pre-designed, fully compliant house types. For example, our customers have access to the Donaldson Timber Systems House Range, a portfolio of 18 core designs, which includes cottage flats with a mix of 1 and 2 bedrooms; semi-detached and detached 2-bed bungalows; and a selection of detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms.

Each design is:

• BIM-ready – supported by a suite of architectural design information with Level 1 BIM models for seamless digital integration
• DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) compliant – ready for efficient construction
• Aligned with UK building regulations in your region of operation (England, Scotland, and Wales)
• Optimised for sustainability with embodied carbon calculations and PMV assessment for each house type

These ready-to-go designs give builders and developers an easy way to adopt timber frame without any design headaches and with most of the legwork already complete, reducing lead times and up-front costs. Merchants can offer a full package—including SAP calcs, material specifications, and cost guidance—helping customers make informed purchasing decisions.

We conducted extensive research in the sector to understand the needs of residents, developers, planners, and all relevant regulations, and these house types provide homes that are designed to offer maximum flexibility while meeting all space standards in the most efficient way possible.

How it works

When customers have seen the benefits of choosing timber frame, the sales process is straight-forward. The merchant submits a set of outline drawings from the customer; we put a detailed quote together and return it to the merchant to give to the customer.

We’ve got a pre-construction team who will handle any technical queries. Plus, we can be flexible – we can offer supply only or supply and erect depending on requirements. Merchants can trust that their customers are in good hands and the project will be delivered as promised.

Time to act

Offsite timber frame is the future of UK housebuilding. It’s tried, tested, and already widely used across the country. With 50 years of expertise in the sector, we know what works—and we’re here to support builders’ merchants in making timber frame a profitable and seamless addition to their offering.

For merchants looking to stay ahead of the curve, timber frame is an opportunity waiting to be seized.

Get in touch today to find out more.