Chris Wood, formerly of Mumford & Wood Ltd timber window business buyout

Posted: 03 November 2014

Chris Wood, managing director of Lomax + Wood Limited, acquired the controlling interest in the company following a buyout of his three partners to become sole shareholder. After joining Lomax + Wood Limited in June 2013 the company has experienced major changes including the re-branding of Ambass-A-Door Limited to Lomax + Wood Limited. This was delivered hand-in-hand with the development of a new website, the introduction of new timber window and door software, the upgrading of product designs and a broadening of the overall product offering.

“As well as our traditionally-styled period timber sash windows, casements and doors in the popular Kensington & Chelsea range we offer aluminium clad and aluminium composite timber casement windows and tilt turn windows,” says Chris Wood. “All of our products are made-to-order and we offer customers a comprehensive service which includes technical design, manufacture and installation."

“Our success is based on producing top quality made-to-order timber windows with a service second to none. In what is undoubtedly a mature and competitive market we stand out with our design and installation offer. The company has gone from producing approximately 500 top quality timber windows and doors to around 2800 units in this financial year,” continues Chris Wood.

Chris Wood has grown the business organically from a turnover of £600k to £3 million in the space of five years, with further growth planned. “With our brand recognition growing we are seeing a month on month increase in enquiries, with many repeat customers creating a sold foundation for our business."

Further investment in 2018 in a new and strategically based Essex showroom, which is just five minutes from the main A12 and close to Shenfield British Rail station with its fast train link to the centre of London, is a sign of Wood’s growing confidence in the market. “The existing Essex showroom, has been added to with another 2000 sq ft of display space, featuring timber internal doors and aluminium composite timber windows and doors. This investment has allowed us to create a first class working showcase environment with custom built, full size, structural stands in brick with stone sub-cills. This will allow our clients to view full sized, show stopping products more representative of what they will be selecting for their own properties and buildings rather than small car-boot samples,” continues Wood.

Production is primarily based in Europe working to Lomax + Wood’s tried and tested designs. “Our key manufacturing partners are able to meet the made-to-order nature of period and contemporary British properties and have expanded to meet our growth. It is important that we are not restricted to a single partner and we have sourced different products from other countries and other manufacturers. This has allowed us to secure the best products, of the very best technical design and quality, in order to meet our customer’s brief with the shortest possible lead times and at competitive prices. Having previously manufactured in the UK I also plan to source locally whenever I can. We already buy our timber roof lanterns in the UK, and I value the heritage and expertise of those in our industry.”