Forest management company Scottish Woodlands has hailed a strong year despite a 15% drop in pre-tax profits.
The company, which has 13 offices in Scotland, including in Tarland, Ballindaloch and Strathpeffer – reported pre-tax profits of £796,000 for the year ended September 30, 2013, down from £942,000 the year before.
This was against a turnover of £64million – up slightly from £63.9million the year before.
Managing director Colin Mann hailed strong results, with turnover up nearly 60% from 2005 when management led a buyout of the firm.
Staff numbers now stand at 142 and the firm is 80% employee-owned.
“Scottish Woodlands’ growth reflects the success of the forestry sector, which is currently benefiting from a strong timber supply, and which is delivering a winning combination of sustainable economic growth and significant environmental benefits,” said Mr Mann.
He urged the Scottish Government to step up tree planting efforts to meet its target of planting 10,000 hectares of new woodland every year, of which 60% needs to be productive planting to supply the UK’s wood processing industry.
Planting more trees could also help the government achieve its carbon emission reduction targets, said Mr Mann.
“We are currently falling short of the planting target and must increase efforts to raise commercial planting rates to maintain a vibrant, low carbon, forestry industry,” added Mr Mann.