Retail and trade wood: Scotland’s timber specialists’ new Fife outlet for home builds, renovations and joinery jobs

A well-known name in timber has branched out with a new branch location for retail and trade

Established in 1991, MGM Timber is part of the Fife-based Donaldson Group. The new branch at 37 Largo Road in St Andrews is its fifteenth location in Scotland and its third in Fife, alongside branches in Glenrothes and Dunfermline.

It brings with it seven jobs for the community and signals a change for the company as it invests heavily in improving the experience for retail customers. This hand-picked team have been chosen for their knowledge and expertise. Customers can expect a friendly welcome and plenty of advice and guidance.

Well-known to the building and joinery trade, the business has been looking to expand. Customer research told them that their non-trade customers – ordinary members of the public looking to choose or buy products for home builds or improvements – wanted a more retail-friendly experience.

From left: Non-Executive Director Neil Donaldson, Chief Finance Officer Alyson Donaldson, Val Donaldson, Executive Chairman Michael Donaldson, CEO Andrew Donaldson and Branch Manager Aaron Cooper

The new branch has focused on its lay-out, ensuring lots of in-situ displays and visual presentations so that customers can not only see – but feel, touch and experience the products close-up.

Starting at the St Andrews branch, this new in-store format will roll out across all locations in the coming months, along with an improved online and digital experience to help trade customers plan, estimate, and manage projects.

Expert knowledge

The MGM Timber team has decades of expertise in timber products, supplying both trade customers and the public with a variety of sawn and finished timber; roof trusses; joists; mouldings; decking; fencing; sheet materials; flooring; doors, windows, and joinery; kitchens; bathroom panelling; and tools and fixings. At the centre of the business and their products is a commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer service.

New branch for trade and retail from firm with 160 years in timber: Aaron Cooper (left) with Neil Donaldson

Listening to the customer

Steve Galbraith, managing director of MGM Timber, said: “Our research showed that 70 per cent of our customers believe our timber specialism is fundamental to our offering, and demonstrated that our quality, expertise, and product range are the key points of difference. Central to this is also our customer service, so we wanted to maximise this offering by ensuring all our branches provide a consistent experience with more clarity in our product ranges and improved retail displays, starting with our new location in St Andrews.

“We know that our trade customers are busy and need to be able to manage their projects efficiently, and we hope that these changes will provide just that. In creating this optimisation, we believe members of the public visiting our stores will also find that our new retail layout and signage creates an even better experience. This is at the heart of everything we do.”

And it’s a return to its roots for parent company Donaldson as Graham Johnston, chief executive officer of Donaldson Group’s Retail and Distribution, explained: “St Andrews is close to the original home of the Donaldson Group, founded more than 160 years ago, and we’re going back to our roots during an exciting time for MGM Timber.”

Find them here

You will find the new branch at 37, Largo Road, St Andrews, KY16 8NJ where you can take a look first-hand at many of the products they stock and ask the staff for advice and guidance. Visit the website for more ideas to inspire your next home improvement job or build.