Past And Present
OUR ROOTS
Firwood is headed by Peter Booth Chairman and Founder, and daughter Jane, Managing Director. Peter’s wife Rita was the creator of the Firwood company name.
Our story begins in 1975 when Peter’s business idea became a reality; to import high quality timber from around the world to supply to local and national civil engineering companies. In 1977 Peter met his long time friend, former Chairman and Business Mentor, Harry Birtwhistle M.B.E. Harry was already a successful businessman who by the age of 26 had been honoured with an M.B.E for his service in the Royal Army Service Corps. Being from the timber trade himself and a major shareholder of New Bury Saw Mills until 1973, Harry was able to support and mentor Peter through his early years, helping build Firwood from the ground up.
Harry became one of Firwood Timbers greatest assets along with The Booth Family’s dedication. For 37 years Harry Birtwhistle was chairman of Firwood Timber & Plywood, sadly passing away at the age of 98 years old in December 2014.
OUR BUILDERS MERCHANTS
In the early 1990’s we continued our drive to bring successful branches to the North West. We acquired a very popular local business in Lowes Forbes along with their three branches, two in Blackpool and one in Preston. Through the 1990’s we continued opening branches in Swinton, Prestwich, Moreton and Crosby, and again in the early 2000’s saw the addition of Seaforth which was another successful family business we acquired.
In 2006 we took over the Upholland Branch from the renown Holland’s of Upholland which again fitted our successful small family business ethos. The newest member of the Firwood Builders Merchant family is our Formby branch. Having acquired the oldest established garage in Lancashire we really had a desire to pay tribute to the heritage of the site whilst bringing much needed local jobs and services to the area. Our Formby branch is now a unique drive through Builders Merchants, an order and collect service which is proving be to a triumphant success. This brand new ‘drive through’ concept in Builders Merchant’s was an idea conceived by our Managing Director Jane.
The timber importing business; which still forms a significant part of the civil sales business today together with 11 Builders Merchants across the North West of England makes up the Company’s main services. Our national civil/construction industry business now offers daily deliveries covering the whole of the UK, using our own reliable well maintained fleet, guaranteeing our customer promise of On Time! High Quality! Within Budget!
Our North West Builders Merchants
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
Since the beginning it has been a major goal for Firwood Timber to always try and sponsor and support the local communities where we trade.
FIRWOOD WATERLOO RUGBY CLUB
