Hub Member - Arfon Timber Frames

Caernarfon-based construction business booms

A construction business from Caernarfon is pleased to see that people have a desire to work in the sector.  Arfon Timber Frames, which mainly creates 'high performance' timber frame buildings from local wood, was founded last year by Mark Chapman.  With support from the Enterprise Hub, Business Wales and Gwynedd Council, the first year of trading is looking very prosperous.  

"We've been trading since November last year," said Mark Chapman, Chief Carpenter and Managing Director of Arfon Timber Frames. "The business has grown significantly and we've had a lot of enquiries this year because of the advertising we're doing about this type of work.  There are seven people working for us, and six of them are involved in the manufacturing and construction side, with another person managing the program in the office.  Over 50% of our team are women, including Jess who is in the office.  It's great to see people wanting to get involved in the construction sector."

Enterprise Hub Support Proves Vital

Thanks to an initial grant of £2,500 from the Enterprise Hub, the company was able to gain industry accreditation and join professional trade bodies.  All of this has been helpful to the business in its first year, says Mark Chapman.

"We received initial funding from the Enterprise Hub, which enabled us to gain important professional memberships.  We've joined various professional bodies such as the Structural Timber Association, The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products and the Passive House Trust.  Professional bodies that represent what we do and give us a good voice, particularly the Structural Timber Association, that accredit our work and ensure that we do high quality work in the industry.  Their support has enabled us to achieve standards such as ISO 9001, and the STA Assure Gold, which is the industry's highest standard for structural timber frame.  We wouldn't have been able to go for these types of accreditations in our first year of trading without the support of the Enterprise Hub, Business Wales and Gwynedd Council."

Watch the video below for more of Mark's story.