WALFORD Timber is celebrating after being crowned Benchmark Treater of the Year at an awards ceremony.

The Wood Protection Association Awards, dedicated to celebrating innovation within the UK’s timber treatment industry, hailed the family-run firm near Kerne Bridge as a leader in timber treatment, at what is considered to be the industry’s ‘Oscars’.

Nominated by WPA benchmark auditors, the accolade recognises Walford Timber, a leading fencing manufacturer and supplier’s dedication to best practice across all its key areas of business, including its quality management scheme and skilled plant operations.

What makes the achievement further stand out is businesses cannot enter the award category and instead are nominated following an annual onsite inspection.

From a shortlist of timber treatment companies recognised as going above and beyond, and whose quality processes stood out, the expert panel ultimately declared Walford Timber as the best business.

For Walford Timber customers and homeowners, the award serves as recognition of the quality of their processes and their commitment to products that are made to last.

George Smith, managing director of Walford Timber, who was presented with the award by sponsor Neil Ryan, said: “We would like to extend a massive thank you to Wood Protection Association for hosting a superb event, and congratulations to the team that made it possible. To be regarded by the auditors as the most esteemed brand in the industry and to be the recipient of such a coveted trade award is the ultimate seal of approval; it doesn’t get much better.

“This is testament to our team’s hard work and commitment and further shines a spotlight on businesses across the region.”

Wood Protection Association director Neil Ryan remarked: “With these awards we celebrate the best timber treaters and products, the innovative and forward-thinking businesses and the dedicated individuals who make our industry great.

“As always, the award judges found it difficult to select the category winners as the standard of entries was so high.

“As one of the first to achieve Wood Protection Association Benchmark certification for their preservative treatment facility, Walford Timber has maintained a high standard ever since. They were also one of the first treaters in the UK to embrace incising technology. We congratulate them on their deserved win as Benchmark Treater of the Year.”

Established in 1945, Walford Timber manufactures and supplies products to DIY customers, stockists, fencing and landscaping contractors, landscaping centres, garden centres, timber merchants, local authorities, landowners and other tradespeople throughout the country.