Timbmet Group, Britain's largest hardwood timber merchant, has started work on a new 3m office base at Cumnor, writes David Duffy.

Timbmet group chairman Dan Kemp and chief executive Simon Fineman turned the first sod at a ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of work on the 20,000 sq ft two-storey building.

The new headquarters, which will house about 100 staff, are due to open in June 2001. The architects, Coleman Hicks Partnership and building contractors, Kingerlee, are both based at Kidlington.

Mr Fineman said: "The new offices will create an impressive flagship for Timbmet and a much better environment for our staff. It will also create the space we need to introduce higher levels of service for customers.

"We are pleased to contribute to Oxford's local economy, by using local architectural and building expertise."

Timbmet is one of the largest hardwood merchants in Europe with an annual turnover of 80m.

The heart of the business lies in the purchasing, kilning, storage, selection and delivery of a comprehensive range of hardwoods, sourced from well-managed forests on every continent.

The company also distributes a growing range of wooden products from doors to flooring and decking.

Last year the company won four timber industry awards as General Trader, Hardwood Trader, Panel Products Trader, and the top award of Timber Trader of the Year. This year the company repeated its success by winning the Hardwood Trader Award.