A look back at an eventful year
With 2022 coming to a close, we look back on our successes with gratitude. This review of 2022 is an opportunity for us to reflect on our successes, consider any learning and see how we can improve 0ur services to our customer. We’ve been privileged to work with some of the best fencing contractors, equestrians, farmers, smallholders, landscape gardeners and home DIY’ers this year. Our products have enabled them to complete their projects with precision and professionalism, while still having the flexibility they needed to meet their individual customer requirements. We thank all of our customers for choosing us and look forward to continued success in 2023.
So with Christmas fast approaching and we start to finalise our goals and plans for 2023 we like to look back on 2022 and share our experiences with you. We look at what you have been buying, review your feedback, look at new product launches and consider how we can improve in 2023. Our goal has always been to meet the needs of our customers in a professional manner and we are proud to say that we have achieved this. In this review of the year at W Burton and Sons, we will take a look at some of the highlights from 2022.
The Ukraine conflict has had a major impact on us all but the entire timber industry was affected with significant impact on both price and availability. I am extremely proud of our entire team who have responded so professionally to handle these fluctuations and continue to support our customers in getting the products they need at a reasonable price within an acceptable time. We were able to increase many of our products held in stock and with our committed delivery team were able to meet most requests for products.
Timber as an investment
It seems many of you have really been working hard in the garden and been buying many of our fencing and garden products to build new structures in your garden. Our treated garden posts, various cladding options, decking and sleepers have been in great demand.
Our professional landscaper customers have been constructing pergolas, gazebos, hot tub shelters and garden storage buildings galore. Alex Shaw at A Shaw Garden structures has this year produced some amazing work for his clients using our timber. We have featured several examples of his work in our social media and we can confidently recommend his work to anyone looking to enhance their garden space.
Our Ultra Closeboard fencing and doors have been in great demand and we have custom made to order many of them as many of you invested in your lifestyle and home comforts.
Investment in your health
It is well known that gardening provides physical and mental benefits. Improving your garden space can be one of the best investments you make in yourself and it does seem that many of you have been doing exactly that.
As Monty Don recently wrote in the Gardeners World magazine “Gardening cannot reverse the degradations of age but it can militate against them and slow them down.”
But its not just the obvious physical effort of bending, lifting, digging etc that improve our health it’s increasingly recognised as a healthy mental workout too. With Doctors prescribing gardening to help improve mental health there is no reason not to invest in this vital area.
W Burton and Sons is a great place to start as we stock everything you need to turn your little patch into a little piece of green heaven.
Here is our list of the most popular products of 2022.
Featheredge Boards
In terms of most products sold online you really loved our featheredge boards. Especially our 125mm x 22mm treated featheredge these proved extremely popular with landscapers, fencing contractors and garden furniture makers.
Anyone using these excellent quality boards will appreciate their sturdiness and flexibility.
They are what we use to make our Ultra Closeboard fence panels and our Closeboard sawn garden gate/door. We have sold these in their thousands and they continue into 2023 at the top of the leaderboard.
Snowflake Softchip Bedding
Number 2 in our list is this fantastic horse bedding from Plevin products. 2022 proved especially difficult in obtaining sufficient quantities to meet demand. The entire timber industry has struggled to secure some timbers and sawmills aren’t producing as much shavings as in previous years thereby creating a shortage of this popular product. We have a great relationship with the manufacturers and have been able to maintain a reasonable level of supply. Unfortunately the shortage UK wide meant that many potential customers demand
100mm machine round posts-15 year warranty
Our 100mm Machine Round Post is perfect for any outdoor project. This post is made of high quality timber, kiln dried and pressure treated with a 15 year warranty against rot and decay.
It is incised up to ground level to allow the treatment to penetrate deeply into the post, ensuring it withstands all weather conditions while lasting longer than other posts.
Get your project started today with our 15 Year Warranty 100mm Machine Round Posts!
Timber Pales & Wicket Gates for Picket Fencing
Is there anything more attractive in the garden than a simple traditional painted picket fence and these timber pales when combined with our wicket gates provide a great solution.
Picket fencing is a great choice for customers looking for an attractive yet durable solution. Our wicket gates and timber pales are perfect for creating a traditional picket fence that can stand up to the elements and look great in gardens or paddocks. They are available in two widths, 3″ and 4″ and two lengths, 0.9m and 1.2m.
Timber Battens
Our treated roofing battens are extremely popular and versatile. They are available in various sizes and lengths. Whilst these are traditionally used for securing roofing felt and mounting roofing slate tiles to roof’s we have seen them used as frames for fence panels, shed building, garden and bin storage even as garden pegs/stakes for marking out.
Recently they have even been used to construct contemporary slatted horizontal screens in the garden for a low cost screening around a patio or on a gazebo.
New products in 2022
We think it is very important to continually review our products line and ensure we are supplying what our customers are looking for as well s attracting new customers to W Burton’s.
We have extended our traditional offering into more building supplies products this year and hold many in stock for immediate delivery.
Leadax Lead Replacement
LEADAX is the first lead alternative in the world with the same properties as traditional lead.
LEADAX is not harmful to health or the environment. A new generation of lead alternative which is not only easier to use but also easier on your pocket.
From cavity walls to chimneys, LEADAX is used and processed in exactly the same way as lead.
The core product is the LEADAX flashing that is available in a range of widths from 150mm to 600mm and all are supplied in rolls of 10m length.
Alongside the flashing are a range of tools and accessories including rollers, fixings, sealant and scissors to complete the job.
Lead is cheaper and lighter than traditional lead and is recyclable too making it truly a sustainable product.
A new and innovative product range we have added is a lead replacement technology from a company called LEADAX.
Door Linings
Used like casings to hang your doors, linings come with a separate door stop, which is the innermost part of the frame. This gives you flexibility and allows for easier adjustment and repairs. These trenched linings come with grooves for quicker installation, and are ready for painting or staining.
Gatemate Gate Kit
Achieve a professional finish to your side gate installation with the Gatemate Side Gate Kit. Containing all the necessary components, including two 450mm Tee Hinges (1 pair), Suffolk Latch, Brenton Bolt and all nuts, bolts and screws, this kit is perfect for hanging Closeboard Doors.
The galvanised finish ensures lasting durability and protection from rusting – giving you peace of mind that your new gate will remain looking great for years to come. With easy-to-follow instructions included in the kit, you’ll have your new side gate installed quickly and effortlessly.
Treated Premium 32mm Decking Boards
The 125mm x 32mm (120mm x 27mm) Decking Board provides great value to provide a simple decking area. It is treated for long life. It is 3.6m in length.
- Tanalised treated timber, ideal for all exterior projects
- Timber is a natural product and you can expect a change in colour with age.
- Always seal cut ends with a suitable preservative to maintain all round protection
Trellis Panels
In 2022 we introduced to stock this range of premium trellis panels. These are available in a wide range of sizes in both diamond and square styles.
Trellis fencing is versatile in that it can be used a standalone fence, wall mounted or added to the top of any of our square panels or to an existing fence. It is also ideal for use with climbing plants. Our heavy duty trellis fence panels are manufactured with smooth planed timber batons made from quality, durable Scandinavian softwood to ensure longevity.
Our trellis panels are supplied pressure treated with a light green preservative to protect the timber from insect infestation, decay and rot. The light green colour matches our fence posts and gravel boards and will fade as the timber is exposed to weather conditions.
Our range of lattices and trellis comes with a broad variety of options; from the thickness of the lattice to the shape and formation of the pattern. Our lattices are both stylish private, but always manufactured to the highest quality.
Dart Tools
Early in 2022 we introduced the Dart Tools range of premium drill bits, drill bit sets and accessories, saws and router bits. We have a fully stocked display of these premium tools in the Country Store. We have also just added three incredibly useful tool bags from the Dart Tools range.
DART 18” Hard Base Zipped Tool Bag
Get the job done with the professional-grade DART 18″ Hard Base Zipped Tool Bag. Built to last, this rugged tool bag is constructed from heavy duty nylon fabric and features reinforced plastic hard base corners that provide superior protection against drops and wear.
DART 18” Open Tote Tool Bag
The spacious main compartment is perfect for storing multiple tools, while the exterior pockets provide easy access to smaller items. The adjustable shoulder strap allows you to carry it comfortably on any job site or store it in the trunk of your car. With its superior organization and convenience features, this tool bag will make any task easier. Get yours today and take your tool storage to the next level!
DART 24L Tool Back Pack
Keep all your tools organized with the DART 24L Tool Back Pack. Its heavy-duty construction and spacious interior make it perfect for professional fencing contractors, maintenance technicians, joiners or anyone who needs to transport their tools with ease.
Where did we supply too?
Our website continues to develop and grow with constant work to ensue we improve the customer experience. Our website contains many of our in stock products with 1000’s of variations available for delivery. Delivery is a constant challenge and we look for innovative ways to deliver our products to you at as low a cost as possible. Unfortunately here too costs keep going up. We are currently working on a new process for 2023 that may help deliver our products to a wider area and at a reasonable price.
Social Media
We believe our social media presence is a valuable way for us to communicate with our customers and we will continue to post regularly about our news, products and offers. We love seeing and reading about our followers exploits and thoughts and our followers on Facebook and Instagram continue to grow.
An updated content management strategy for 2023 will see us develop this area even more.
Events
Staffordshire County Show
Throughout the year we attend several events that give us the opportunity to meet our customers and suppliers.
A regular one for us is the annual County Show at Stafford County Showground and this year it took place over 1-2nd June 2022.
This is a massive event for the County and we always enjoy meeting customers, old and new.
The two-day Staffordshire County Show is located on a permanent site three miles from the centre of Stafford. The Showground benefits from over 10,000 square metres of exhibition space across five halls as well as a network of metalled roads.
Agriculture is very much at the heart of this Show with classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and Boer goats. However, as the Show takes place during the late May half-term holiday the family visitor is catered for with breathtaking Main Ring events, a full programme of arena events in the Country Pursuits Arena and a range of children’s activities from climbing walls to Punch and Judy Shows.
A full Main Ring programme for 2022 takes place over both days, including the Monster Trucks, Show Jumping, the Parade of Hounds and the Grand Parade of Livestock.
In the County Pursuits Arena, we had displays of falconry, The Quack Pack (a sheepdog and duck display) and the Ferret Roadshow as well as horseshoeing competitions and the climbing wall.
In addition, the giant tortoises and “The Hogg Show” are always popular with the little ones.
In 2023 the event will take place on Wednesday 31st May and Thursday 1st June 2023. Tickets for the Staffordshire County Show and for more information see here.
English Winter Fair
We also attended the English Winter Fair over the two days 19th and 20th November 2022. This is huge event being the Country’s largest National Winter Prime Stock Show.
We are looking forward to the 2023 event that will take place on 18th and 19th November 2023 again at County Showground Stafford. Tickets for the English Winter Fair 2023 are available here.
We look forward to seeing you al there.
W Burton Charity Golf at JCB Golf and Country Club
In October we hosted a charity golf day for specially invited guests that included suppliers, customers and friends. The event took place at the prestigious JCB Golf and Country Club at Rocester in Staffordshire.
We were delighted to have so many of our customers, suppliers and friends join us for a great day out while raising money for Royal Stoke Hospital.
Our sincere thanks go out to all those who attended and made this event such a success – we couldn’t have done it without you! We were so pleased to have raised £10,000 for the critical care Unit at Royal Stoke.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have had a great year in terms of work and product development. We have been able to develop new products and services that have helped us to meet the needs of our customers better. Our timber and gardening products are now more accessible than ever before.
If you need any help with your timber or gardening projects, don’t hesitate to give us a call for all your timber and gardening needs.
