by Rob Edmonds
Sales Manager Rob Edmonds Hits the Road to Catch up with some of our Brilliant Logie Timber Customers
Last week, I took some time to get out of the office and visit a few of our fantastic clients. This is something i’ve been keen to do for a while, and something I plan to do much more often as Logie Timber continues to grow.
In today’s busy world, much of our communication happens through quote requests, estimates, emails, and phone calls all of which are great ways to keep projects moving and make sure the right timber ends up in the right place at the right time.
However, nothing quite compares to meeting our customers face to face. These visits give us a chance to truly understand what our clients do, the challenges they face, and how Logie Timber can support their work — helping to make the process smoother and hopefully a little less stressful!
This time, I caught up with the teams at Markar Homes, Simpson Builders, and Ecosystem the first of many visits as he works through his client list.
If you’ve got a project coming up or would like to arrange a site visit from me, Rob, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’d be delighted to meet you and see how we can help.
Makar Homes
Visiting Makar – Trailblazers in Sustainable Scottish Housebuilding
Established in 2002, Makar have now delivered well over 250 innovative, net-zero ecological homes truly pioneering the use of Scottish-grown timber in beautifully designed, healthy, and sustainable buildings.
Makar were actually one of Logie Timber’s very first customers, and it’s been a pleasure to be part of their journey over the years.
During his recent client visits, our Sales Manager Rob met with Neil Edgar, Chief Executive of Makar, at their impressive workshop just outside Inverness on Dores Road. Neil kindly gave Rob a full tour of the facility, the heart of where the magic begins.
First impressions really do count, and Rob was struck by how clean, organised, and efficient the workshop was, “more like a Formula 1 team garage than a traditional timber workshop!” I commented.
During the operational walkaround, I noticed a few cladding boards that hadn’t quite met the required standard, with sapwood content higher than acceptable for Makar’s premium-grade specification (full heartwood face). I reiterated to the Neil that while our quality control procedures are stringent, an occasional board may slip through and that should any quality issues arise, it’s important to contact the office as soon as possible and provide photos of the timber so we can quickly assess and resolve any problems. Although Makar remains one of our long-standing and valued customers, it’s always worthwhile reinforcing that open communication helps us maintain high satisfaction levels and continually refine our operational procedures to minimise future issues.
The workshop features six main workstations, where every wall panel is carefully assembled by hand. Makar’s commitment to innovation is clear, they’ve recently invested in advanced computer software that allows their team to interpret architectural drawings with absolute precision, generating accurate cut lists and improving both efficiency and accuracy to the next level.
Each team member works through the full process of building a panel — from cutting each board to assembling the structure, installing insulation, and preparing for on-site construction. The insulation used is Warmcel, an ingenious material made from 100% recycled newspaper, blended with small amounts of inorganic salts to provide fire, insect, and rodent resistance.
Makar even craft their own window frames on site, ensuring each one fits perfectly within the panels, a vital part of achieving the tight, energy-efficient build required for Passive House standards.
Once the panels are completed, they’re individually wrapped and transported to projects across the UK. Thanks to Makar’s modular construction system, these homes are typically wind- and watertight within just a couple of weeks of arriving on site.
This process has been refined and perfected over many years, resulting in a truly exceptional product, and we at Logie Timber are proud to have played a small part in their ongoing success story.
Simpson Builders
Established in 1999 by Gordon Simpson, Simpson Builders have become one of the Highlands’ most respected construction firms, known for their craftsmanship, reliability, and commitment to quality.
We’ve had the pleasure of working alongside them for many years, most recently when Logie Timber became the client, calling on their expertise, along with their specialist division S1 Floors, to install the industrial flooring in our new sawmill.
Since then, we’ve continued our strong partnership, supplying timber for a wide range of impressive projects, from bridge builds and large decking installations to residential cladding and bespoke housing.
I work closely with Scott and Pam Craig-Mackie, and it was fantastic to catch up with them during my recent visits. With Simpson Builders’ projects spread across the Highlands — including some of the most remote mainland and island locations, ensuring timber is delivered to the right place at the right time is no small task!
Together, we discussed ways Logie Timber can help streamline the flow of stock and supply, making the process even smoother and more efficient. I also took the opportunity to share details of several timber profiles and products we offer that the team weren’t previously aware of, which Scott was delighted to learn about. The visit was helpful in understanding their operational challenges and ensuring they are fully aware of the full range of Logie Timber’s capabilities. I also took the opportunity to highlight that we can also offer visual strength grading to C24 — a service they were previously unaware of.
Simpson Builders are a pleasure to work with, and we’re very much looking forward to supporting their upcoming projects and continuing to grow this fantastic partnership.
Eco System Technologies
Gary at Eco Systems is a great example of home-grown talent, having worked his way up from the workshop floor to his current leadership role — a promotion he’s taken completely in his stride.
Eco System are truly at the forefront of sustainable modular design, creating innovative buildings that make use of timber wherever possible. By using modern engineered timber systems such as GLT (Glued Laminated Timber), NLT (Nailed Laminated Timber) and CLT (Cross Laminated Timber), they’re pushing the boundaries of what sustainable construction can achieve.
Based just outside Invergordon, their large-scale modular structures are built entirely indoors, inside vast hangars equipped with overhead cranes used to manoeuvre panels safely and efficiently during the build process.
Logie Timber has been proud to work closely with the Eco System team on the Social Bite project — an inspiring initiative that helps people experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives. These beautifully designed, warm and welcoming modular homes provide an important stepping stone towards independence and recovery.
While this is just one of many projects Eco System are involved in, it highlights the creativity and community focus that drives the company. With rapid growth and an expanding order book, one of their ongoing challenges is managing material flow and deliveries to site — ensuring timber arrives exactly when needed, as space on-site is often at a premium.
I spent time with Gary, planning how to streamline future deliveries and discussed ways Logie Timber can continue to support their operations. We discussed a new large order they recently placed with us. Gary’s main concern was stock management — ensuring enough material arrives on-site at the right times without overloading limited storage space. Together we developed a staged delivery plan, splitting the order into three drops to align with their project schedule. This approach provided better efficiency for both Ecosystems and Logie Timber — a clear win–win outcome.
Quality control was another key topic, and I invited Gary and Owen, Production and Operations Director, to visit the sawmill to see firsthand how we manage quality assurance — ensuring every pack of timber leaves our yard in top condition. The visit gave them both extra confidence in the consistency and reliability of our processes.
It’s been fantastic to watch Eco System’s rapid growth over recent years. Looking ahead to 2026, the future is incredibly exciting for this locally owned company — one that’s deeply committed to its community, creating local employment, and building in a truly sustainable way. We’re proud to be part of their journey.
by Rob Edmonds, Sales Manager at Logie Timber
