The owner of a rescued Bradford timber business which is on target to break through the £1 million sales landmark says its service levels are key to its success.

Taylor’s Timber Centre in Thornton Road achieved a £900,000 turnover in the year to June 2013 and managing director Charles Taylor expects it to reach £1.1 million by the end of the current financial year.

He said: “We are carving out a solid footing in the regional timber trade and are confident we can achieve a further 20 per cent growth during the course of the next year.”

Mr Taylor bought the Bradford branch of the former Denholme-based CR Taylor Timber, of which he was executive chairman, from the administrators in 2012 when the long-established company went into liquidation. He is now upgrading the Thornton Road showroom after investing £60,000 in plant and machinery.

He attributed continued growth to an expanding customer base and a wider trading area, coupled with evolving stock lines and improved customer service. The company’s same or next-day delivery operation is showing 25 per cent year-on-year growth.

Mr Taylor said: “Not only has our multi-cultural customer base of builders, joiners and DIY enthusiasts across the region risen, but we are now attracting more direct business from the Dewsbury, Halifax and Keighley areas. Our delivery service is also in increasing demand by new customers further towards Leeds and across into the Wharfe Valley.

“Our service ethos is key. We’ve made it easier and quicker to source through the yard. Turnaround is faster and our customers appreciate this – it saves them valuable time. Our timber cutting service is also important. We do it on the spot and invite customers to have light refreshments on the house while we prepare their timber – and load it for them.

“It’s a culture that gives us a cutting edge over our competitors and has improved our footfall dramatically. We will be looking to build on this over the coming year, as well as continue to develop our delivery operation.”

New product ranges include hardwood floorings and roof trusses, the latter in response to increasing demand from construction firms in the regional SME sector.

“Thanks to new Government-backed incentives, smaller Bradford area house builders are now starting to build again and this is driving more trade to our door. It’s a niche market for us and one we are confident will continue to develop over the next 12 months.

“We are also experiencing growth across the DIY sector. Here again, our service delivery is important. We offer a free measuring service for decking and stairparts and have just introduced a supply-and-fit package in partnership with a number of approved installers.”

The business employs seven people and is looking to recruit an additional staff member next month.

Taylor’s Timber Centre remains focussed on building market share through the Government’s Growth Accelerator Scheme and is working with a local mentor.