Donaldson Timber Systems

Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS), has published, third party accredited environmental product declarations (EPD) for its full wall panel range.

In 2024, the DTS open panel Alpha system became the first off-site assembled timber frame wall panel in the UK to offer an approved EPD. DTS now also holds EPDs for its pre-insulated wall system, Delta; and the award-winning closed panel system, Sigma II solid stud and Sigma II I stud.

The EPD, which transparently communicates the environmental performance of a product over its lifetime, allows customers to accurately measure their carbon footprint and make informed decisions on the best product choices to meet sustainability goals. It also improves transparency regarding product performance claims, making it easier to compare the impacts of different materials and build systems accurately.

The use of EPDs is in line with the Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap to get Britain building with the use of sustainable and low carbon building materials, which was announced in February. Originally launched in late 2023 under the Conservative Government, the Roadmap has been updated with more ambitious targets. The first priority theme is ‘improving data on timber and whole life carbon’. It is also a measurement which will become increasingly important if the proposed Part Z amendment to Building Regulations is accepted.

Valid for five years, the EPD is based on current available and published data for end-of-life assumptions. DTS is working on EPDs for its full product range, with floor and roof systems to follow.

John Smith, Technical Director at Donaldson Timber Systems, explains:

“We always champion the use of offsite timber frame construction as the best way to achieve sustainable building practices and meet net zero targets but telling customers this is no longer enough. If we are to make meaningful change, all environmental claims need to be backed up with proof. The only way to achieve zero carbon is to measure and reduce the whole-life carbon of buildings. The availability of environmental product declarations (EPDs) is an important step in recognising this.

“We’re proud to be leading the industry with proof that timber frame is a carbon sink, and we’re thrilled that we’re already seeing significant improvements on the EPD we achieved for our Alpha system just six months ago.”

Adam Gravely, Head of Technical and Innovation at the Future Homes Hub said:

“Understanding embodied and whole life carbon is a crucial next step if we are to meet our net zero carbon ambitions as a sector. There is a challenge around getting product-specific embodied carbon data and homebuilders are increasingly calling on their supply chains to provide EPDs to support their whole life carbon assessments.

“It’s great to see DTS’s commitment to supporting their customers and engaging with the Hub on how to drive down the embodied carbon impact of new homes.”

Along with an EPD, Sigma® II has achieved a range of third-party approvals, including BOPAS Plus, BBA, NHBC Accepts and STA Gold Assure, delivering the confidence that it is durable, complies with building regulations and technical standards while being designed, manufactured and installed to last for at least 60 years. Sigma® II was also the first timber system verified by Cast to exceed Homes England (HE) Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) target of 55%, achieving up to 58.4%.

As part of the Donaldson Group’s Offsite division, DTS prides itself on being highly sustainable, innovative and efficient. Celebrating it’s 50^th anniversary this year, DTS offers unrivalled experience and knowledge in offsite construction, with an established history of bringing new commercial and operational innovations to the market.

To better understand why measuring carbon is so important, read the blog post by our technical director, John Smith: There’s more to achieving Net Zero – Donaldson Timber Systems

To discuss how our systems could improve your project, get in touch today.

In 2024, our Head of Manufacturing South, Alanna Bowler, was named in the CITB Top 100 most Influential Women in Construction. In honour of Women in Construction Week™ (WIC Week™), we sat down with Alanna to ask her some questions about her time at DTS, as well as her top tips for anyone considering a career in construction.

What role did you start in at DTS?

I joined DTS in 2015 as a factory administrator. They had recently introduced a complex target pay system to the factory and needed someone to process timesheets from the factory and calculate the wages.  Being a bit of an excel nerd and a very logical thinker, this role suited me down to the ground!  In my previous position I had been quite interested in the finance aspect so being able to work with numbers interested me.

Can you tell us a bit about your career progression at DTS?

Sitting in the busy manufacturing office opposite Frank O’Reilly (who was production manager at the time), I absorbed a lot of what was going on around me.  Frank always encouraged me to go out in the yard or on the shop floor to look at something if I wanted to get a better understanding.  Whenever I questioned something on the timesheets that the factory had written we would head out to look at it.  This helped to build my knowledge of the whole manufacturing process.

Around 18 months into my time with the company they were recruiting for a logistics manager. As I had generally been quite curious about all aspects of the department, I was offered the opportunity to be taken on as a trainee manager. I took the opportunity and after two years became manager.

I was materials and logistics manager for two years until the company grew to a point where heading up both materials and logistics was too much for one person. I chose to take on the materials manager role.  At this point Frank had become factory manager, so I was still working very closely with him, often taking on roles that weren’t officially part of my remit. I had worked my way in to a trusted position and found myself as the go to person in the department to get something done or get answers.

When Frank was promoted to manufacturing director the Head of Manufacturing South position was open and it felt like a natural progression. I was successful and have been working in that role for two years.

What do you like about your job?

Every day there is a different challenge, and I get satisfaction from overcoming them. But I would say the main thing I like about my job is the team around me. It can be an intense and busy environment at times, but to have a group of people around that you can rely on and have a bit of a laugh with along the way makes a big difference.

What changes have you seen in the industry since you joined?

One thing that DTS – and at Witney in particular – have always been ahead of the curve on is a focus on automation. The level of automation that we now operate at in the Witney factory is fantastic for speed of manufacture, quality of kit and health and safety. It’s also positive for recruitment. Factory roles had traditionally been seen as labour intensive work that only a man would be capable of carrying out, but we’re now able to offer factory operative positions that are more accessible to all.

I’ve also seen a lot of changes when it comes to sustainability – our product has always lent itself well to sustainability, but there are many other things around that that have improved along the way. The installation of solar panels, for example, not only allows us to produce a lot of our own electricity, but it also gives us live information on how much energy we are consuming so that we can identify where we may have left equipment running or have equipment that uses a lot of energy that we could perhaps change for something more energy efficient.

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

Go into it with an open mind, absorb as much as you can from everyone and everything around you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you ask someone a question about why they are doing something to better understand a process, it can inspire thoughts on what improvements could be made.  At some point a scenario will come up and that small conversation will pay off.

What changes do you think we’ll see in the industry over the next 5-10 years?

Having started in the manufacturing department nearly 10 years ago as one of two women, to today being head of the department with seven female colleagues and 10 male colleagues, I would hope to see more diversity come into play.  We have a way to go in bringing more diversity to the shop floor, but with more modern equipment and less gender stereotyping in young people growing up these days I see no reason why this can’t develop further.

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.

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February 2025), we’re taking a moment to celebrate the talents and successes of our apprentices across the business. Apprenticeships play a vital role in shaping the future of the construction industry, developing the next generation of talent.

To find out more about life as an apprentices, we spoke with Sam Greenfield, DTS Assistant Contracts Manager, who joined us as Trainee Contracts Supervisor in February 2022.

Tell us a little about your apprenticeship

I studied HNC in Construction and the Built Environment Level 4 through Bedford College. I started in February 2022 and completed it last summer.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship at DTS?

I decided to take on the apprenticeship as it opened up a long-term career path with huge opportunities for development. I grew up in and around construction as my dad works in the industry, so I knew I could have a future in it.

How did you find out about the apprenticeship?

When I was 18, I joined DTS as an installer. At this point I expressed an interest in adding to my skills and studying. They made it possible and really supported me. When I started, there were five construction trainees working for the company across the UK.

What was the best thing about doing an apprenticeship?

It allowed me to build my skills and confidence in communicating with colleagues, clients, lads on site and other stakeholders. I really enjoyed the on-site learning experience – I love being on site, even if it’s pouring down with rain or snowing.

It’s been two years since you started the apprenticeship, where has it taken you?

I’m proud to say that I was recently promoted to Assistant Contracts Manager. I didn’t expect to progress so quickly, but I was able to thanks to the support I had in place from the team.

How did you find being an apprentice at DTS?

The opportunities I’ve been given at DTS have been life changing. The team has a really positive mindset, and their encouragement throughout my apprenticeship made such a difference to me.

DTS is also a very fun place to work, with plenty of challenges to keep me interested and striving to progress further.

What advice would you give to someone else looking to do an apprenticeship?

Do it and get stuck into it. Take the opportunity – it doesn’t happen every day. Enjoy it and be open to learn. We have the top blokes and women in the industry within every team. You’re learning from the very best. Seize the opportunity!

We’re proud to have a culture that has no limits on personal development and encourage all our colleagues to continually develop and grow. Would you like to work 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.

Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS) has been awarded ‘Skillmaker’ status by West Herts College.

This accolade is in recognition of the ongoing commitment by DTS to the development of sustainable construction skills, specifically by supporting West Herts College’s Level 2 Site Carpentry & Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) apprenticeship programme.

The Skillmakers network comprises over 80 businesses, which are leading the way by shaping education, developing workforce skills and generating employment opportunities.

DTS has been working with West Herts College since 2018, when it was appointed to the Hertfordshire Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM) framework. This included supporting a regional consortium of housing providers and Local Authorities to improve the delivery of affordable housing at a local level and to develop local enterprise partnerships.

Since the start of the partnership, DTS has provided regular timber frame workshops to the apprentices and constructed a timber frame demonstration training facility within the college to showcase MMC. In 2022, DTS placed and sponsored a West Herts College apprentice to work with one of their sub-contractors, coinciding with DTS partnering with the college to offer a bespoke apprenticeship programme in support of the next generation of talent for timber frame construction.

Amanda Washbrook, Deputy Principal; Partnerships and Business Development at West Herts College Group, said:

“We are delighted to recognise DTS as a Skillmaker. This status is in recognition of the fantastic work and support provided to us by Simon and the team at DTS. We’re incredibly grateful for the commitment they have shown to the development of skills across the sustainable construction sector. Their contributions are extremely important to us and highly commendable.”

“Enhancing the qualifications we offer through employer-led masterclasses and developing job-specific skills enables us to fully prepare our students for the workplace. This is a great example of social responsibility and business working with further education to develop the next generation  and tackle skills shortages.”

Simon Horn, Technical Development Manager and Joe Romo, Construction Development Manager at DTS, manage the relationship with West Herts College. Simon said:

“The relationship with West Herts College has gone from strength to strength since 2018 and has delivered more than we ever imagined. Supporting skills development in the next generation is crucial to the ongoing evolution of the UK construction industry, and is something we’re committed to at DTS, so working with the College to grow and support talent has been an excellent fit. We see great benefit in the partnership and hope it continues long into the future.”

Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS) was proud to support a recent visit from members of the House of Lords’ Built Environment Committee as part of its inquiry into the future of modern methods of construction (MMC).

Chair of the Lords Select Committee, Lord Moylan, along with Lord Best, Baroness Eaton, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, Earl Russell, and Baroness Thornhill, first visited West Herts College’s, Hemel Hempstead campus to learn more about the apprenticeship programme offered in partnership with DTS.

As announced earlier this year, the 2.5-year programme, open to students on the College’s Level 2 City and Guilds carpentry course, comprises four days per week working on-site, and one day per week attending the College. The in-class modules include an additional module that will focus on MMC for offsite manufactured timber frame, which was developed in partnership with DTS. This covers an understanding of construction technology; health and safety; an introduction to MMC and offsite timber frame build systems; together with understanding construction information, materials, and the installation process, including site project communications.

The Committee then travelled to Spencer’s Park in Hemel Hempstead, a Countryside Partnerships development, to see first-hand MMC actually taking place on site. The 600-plot development has built its houses using DTS’ Sigma II closed panel timber frame system.

The award-winning, BOPAS+ accredited and BBA Certified build system, is designed to achieve superior levels of external wall performance, suitable for projects seeking to attain the very highest fabric efficiency standards. With excellent thermal properties and air-tightness, the Sigma® II Build System offers reduced on-site material and labour costs, by using conventional materials in a more effective manner.

Simon Horn, Technical Development Manager at DTS, said: “The visit from members of the Lords Select Committee was an extremely valuable opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the future of MMC and the wider timber frame industry, through our partnership with West Herts College, as well as showcase the benefits of MMC on a live site at Countryside Partnerships, Spencer’s Park, Hemel Hempstead.”

“Although the Committee’s inquiry is investigating some of the recent challenges the industry has faced with MMC and Cat 1 Volumetric build systems, we were proud to show them our success and the importance of investing in established, sustainable technologies, for Cat 2 Panelised build systems and in training the next generation. We thank the members of the Committee for their time.”

Gill Worgan, Principal and CEO at West Herts College said: “We were delighted to welcome members of the House of Lords Built Environment Committee and colleagues from Donaldson Timber Systems to our Construction and Engineering Centre at our Hemel Hempstead campus.

“The visit provided a valuable platform for discussions surrounding the evolution of construction skills and the pivotal role modern methods of construction play in shaping the industry’s future.
At West Herts College we’re working closely with employers such as Donaldson Timber Systems to ensure that our students are equipped with the modern skills required to step into careers in the construction sector.”