Forestry has a key role to play in helping Ireland meet its housing needs and climate change targets. This was the central message highlighted during a visit by Minister responsible for Housing, Local Government and Planning, John Cummins TD, to the £18 million state-of-the-art Alexanders Timber Design in Irvine, North Ayrshire, part of Irish-owned Glennon Brothers.
The visit to the timber frame home manufacturing facility was held as part of the Government’s recent St Patrick’s Day Global Outreach programme. It highlighted the need for a more joined-up approach to forestry, sawmilling and using locally-sourced timber in construction. Using homegrown timber helps meet housing demand, lock away carbon, reduce embodied emissions and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
The facility showcased Glennon Brothers’ integrated ‘from forest to front door’ model using advanced robotics, digital design systems and precision engineering. Much of the timber used in the manufacturing process is sourced from forests within a 70-mile radius, processed at Glennon Brothers’ sawmill in nearby Troon and then converted into timber frame homes at the Irvine facility for housing developments across Scotland’s central belt.
INVESTMENT NECESSARY
Mike Glennon of Glennon Brothers discussed with Minister Cummins the need for more commercial forests in Ireland to meet future demand for construction-grade timber, alongside wider action to address bottlenecks in housing delivery across planning, infrastructure and skills.
“With just 2,500 hectares planted in 2025, against a Government target of 8,000 hectares and climate change target of 16,000, Ireland must increase forest cover to avoid significant EU penalties,” he said. “At present, only 30% of planting is suitable for housebuilding, limiting the supply of timber needed for the construction sector.
“As an Irish company with deep roots in Longford and major operations across Ireland and Scotland, Glennon Brothers is continuing to invest in the capacity, skills and manufacturing needed to support greater use of homegrown timber in construction.”
Speaking during the visit, Minister Cummins complimented Glennon Brothers for the work they are doing, both in Scotland and in Ireland.
“This facility demonstrates how we can connect forestry, processing and modern methods of construction to build a more resilient housing system that meets the needs of our growing population,” he said.
Established in Longford in 1913, Glennon Brothers is a third-generation Irish timber business with major operations in both Ireland and Scotland. The company operates across timber processing, timber frame home manufacturing and energy, with sites in Fermoy, Longford and Enniskillen, alongside its Scottish operations.
