Black Country timberworks deal takes leading housebuilder’s investment in local supply chain to £48m for Wolverhampton regeneration work

Keon Homes, a lead partner in the £1bn Wolverhampton Council’s Housing Development Framework, turned to the specialist manufacturer of sustainable timber windows and doors to provide bespoke porches for nine properties currently being built at its New Park Village scheme on Longford Road.

Working to supplied drawings, the Bilston-based firm took just three weeks to create the redwood structures and deliver them on site for installation, bringing additional kerbside appeal to the homes in the process. It marks a breakthrough moment for Ashbury Timberworks, which is heading towards 40 years of trading in 2026.

Richard Williams, managing director of Keon Homes, said: “Our supply chain is critical to our growth, and we pride ourselves on working with specialists within a 30-mile radius of our Burntwood head-office.

“The new deal with Ashbury Timberworks is a perfect example of why it works so well. We wanted to give some of the bungalows a different finish that would improve the aesthetics, as well as being environmentally friendly.

“I’d seen some of the firm’s work and was impressed with the craftsmanship. When I approached Balbinder Singh Nagra, his team wasted no time in rising to the three-week lead time challenge.

“Everyone has been so impressed with the way the porches look and I’m sure the new occupants will love their distinctive look.”

Ashbury Timberworks, which employs 20 people at its factory in Bilston, has come a long way since Balbinder decided to carve his own path in life. With unemployment at record highs in 1983, he turned his passion for woodwork into a small business, making a small sample door and getting on his bike to showcase his work around the city. This attracted involvement in several regeneration projects and, over the last three decades, the company has grown into a thriving manufacture of bespoke timber window and doors, all supplied using FSC-approved materials that have been sustainably sourced.

Balbinder, who is joined in the family business by his son Harry, said: “When Keon Homes approached us to get involved, we jumped at the opportunity. We knew we had the craftsmanship, innovation through our CNC wood cutting machinery and the knowledge to meet what were extremely tight deadlines.

“It has been a fantastic start to the working relationship, and we are already in discussions about supplying bespoke porches for other schemes the housebuilder is working on across the Midlands.

“The deal has the potential to create more jobs, and we may look at investing more into bringing on the next generation of specialists. It’s quite fitting really, as I grew up in Park Village.”

Keon Homes invests more than £48m every year with its supply chain, which is 95 per cent located in the West Midlands. This spans sub-contractors, material suppliers and consultants, with companies outside of the region usually chosen for their unique construction specialisms.

Richard concluded: “SMEs, like Ashbury Timberworks, are the backbone of the construction industry, providing specialised products and services, as well as contributing to job creation and the upskilling of the younger generation.

“At Keon Homes, we aim to work in partnership with our supply chain and most of these are built on personal connections, where there is a mutual trust and willingness to collaboratively work together.

“By working with smaller, local companies, it means we get a more consistent and personal level of service, and, in return, we are investing money back into the local economy that supports businesses, families and new talent coming into our sector. The latter is vitally important when you consider the current skills shortage in construction.”