A Bradford timber business is on course to beat its sales target a year after being rescued from administration by its boss.

Taylor’s Timber Centre in Thornton Road is heading towards a turnover of nearly £1 million in what managing director Charles Taylor described as a “solid” performance in its first 12 months of operating Mr Taylor said that investment of more than £60,000 in facilities, plant and machinery had been key to the company’s progress in the first year.

Taylor’s Timber had succeeded in meeting the needs of an expanding multi-cultural customer base of builders, joiners and DIY enthusiasts across West Yorkshire.

Mr Taylor bought the Bradford branch of the former Denholme-based CR Taylor Timber, of which he was executive chairman, from the administrators when recession in the UK construction sector forced the long-established company into liquidation last summer. The move secured five jobs, although 25 people lost their jobs in the closure.

The Thornton Road branch was originally established by CR Taylor more than 20 years ago and escaped the axe in 2008 after an outcry from customers. CR Taylor Timber was planning to mothball the depot due to the slump in the housing market. But it was kept open after pressure from customers and Charles Taylor took over day-to-day running of the site.

Reviewing the first year as a stand-alone business since last summer, Mr Taylor said: “From day one, we have concentrated on improving our customer service by offering a more convenient and larger range of products, at the same time making it easier and quicker to source and collect from the yard, backed by an enhanced same or next-day delivery service.

“Lower overheads mean better prices for our customers, supplemented by price promise and loyalty schemes that have also played their part in helping us make an increasing impact and improve our average per head spend. Our seven-strong team has also worked hard and all staff been rewarded with a pay rise this year.”

Buoyed up by achievements to date, Mr Taylor says the business is now looking to expand and develop product offerings, including new fencing, landscaping and gardening lines, as well as launch an online sales facility.

Taylor’s Timber Centre is also focusing on building its market share through the Government-funded Growth Accelerator Scheme and is working with a local mentor on a programme to achieve controlled growth.

Mr Taylor adds: “We are off to a flying start – and trading profitably after year one in what remains a tough market. We are in a strong position to consolidate our performance and reinforce our presence across both the Bradford area and wider West Yorkshire region.”