WELSH wood flooring manufacturer Broadleaf Timber has announced a new chapter in its 25-year history, transitioning leadership from its founders to the next generation of management in a landmark transaction of company shares.
Founded in Wales by husband-and-wife team, Tom and Vanessa Garrett, Broadleaf has grown from a small local business into what the company describes as one of the UK’s leading independent wood flooring manufacturers with a growing network of showrooms across the country.
Initially focused on a residential market, Broadleaf is now also well recognised in the commercial sector, winning major national and international contracts and delivering high profile projects including Claridge’s, Battersea Power Station, Lloyds Registry and Hawksmoor Restaurants.
‘Despite our growth and UK-wide success, Broadleaf remains proudly rooted in Wales and continues to make wood floors at our busy factory in Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, where we employ 30 local people,’ says the company.
‘The factory makes all Broadleaf floors to order, expertly combining traditional craftsmanship, time-honed experience and modern production techniques to create our unique flooring collections.
‘As well as being manufacturers of wood flooring, we’re pioneers of innovation in our industry, having designed multiple bespoke production techniques and developed award-winning products such as our all-oak Strata engineered boards and, most recently, our Magnetree magnetic wood flooring system.’
As the company prepares to celebrate 25 years in business, its leadership will transition from cofounders Tom and Vanessa to an experienced team of directors who’ve have worked alongside them for over a decade.
Production director, Mark Dyer, will take on the mantle of managing director, supported by commercial & design director, Ceri Rogers, and retail sales & operations director, Luke Cocksedge.
This team, alongside other longstanding factory and showroom team members, are now also majority shareholders in the business.
‘With more than 50 years of experience in the wood flooring industry between them, the new leadership team will focus on steering Broadleaf to further growth and success while protecting the values, quality and high standards that the company has embodied since its inception,; says the company.
Cofounder Vanessa Garret says: ‘When we started Broadleaf 25 years ago, we never imagined how far the business would come. We’re immensely proud of what we built, and of the dedicated and talented team who helped make it all possible.
‘Broadleaf has been a significant part of our lives, and while we will continue to be involved during a transition phase, we feel the time is right for us to hand over the baton to the next generation.
‘Mark, Ceri and Luke have been an integral part of the Broadleaf story to date and we’re certain they’re the right team to take it forward. They understand what makes the company different, they share the values we founded it on, and they have the knowledge, experience and ambition to take it to the next level.’
‘Broadleaf is in very capable hands, and we have every confidence in them,’
Added Mark Dyer, managing director. ‘I feel privileged to take on the role of MD at a pivotal time in Broadleaf’s history. Having worked with Tom and Vanessa for many years, I’ve seen first-hand the hard work, commitment and sacrifice it’s taken to build Broadleaf into the company it is today, and it’s an honour to take on its stewardship alongside the rest of the board.
‘We’ll continue to be defined by Broadleaf’s core values of quality, craftsmanship, innovation, and proud Welsh manufacturing, while we look to evolve, grow and seek the new opportunities that will shape our next chapter.’
CAPTION: Directors (from left to right) Mark Dyer, Ceri Rogers and Luke Cocksedge
