Forestry & Logging in the UK - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: September 2023
SIC A02.000Revenue
£2.1bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
20,471
Businesses
4,779
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Forestry & Logging in the UK industry analysis
The Forestry and Logging industry's revenue is set to expand at a compound annual rate of 1.1% over the five years through 2023-24. There's been a wave of new forestry companies in the UK as government projects and the growing value of timber support the industry's expansion. The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted downstream demand for forestry and logging services as construction activity temporarily ground to a halt. However, the pandemic meant that domestic companies relied more on domestic logging operations than imports and the strong recovery in construction supported revenue growth.Following the EU referendum, the weak value of the pound has supported exports of logs. While import competition remains high, the Russian invasion of Ukraine means that imports of timber from Russia have halted as part of sanctions. The Forestry and Logging industry's revenue is estimated to rise by 2.5% in 2023-24 to total £2.1 billion, with the average industry profit margin set to be 14.8%.The Forestry and Logging industry's revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.7% to £2.4 billion over the five years through 2028-29, while the industry's profit margin is slated to inch upwards to 14.9%. Growing environmental awareness is expected to benefit forestry companies as new woodland areas are created and maintained in the UK. The need for forestry services is further boosted by the UK's ambitious goal to plant 30,000 hectares of woodlands annually by 2024, although it may fall short of this. Increased emphasis on using wooden products in construction is expected to boost revenue for logging companies.
Trends and Insights
- New entrants animate the market. Several new companies have emerged in recent years, taking advantage of equipment rental and government funding to cut their start-up costs.
- Growing environmentalism drives up reforestation activity. Demand for forestry services is on the rise, with government bodies and local authorities seeking to boost forest cover through public funding schemes, creating ample revenue opportunities.
- Scotland's is a forestry haven. The country’s sheer space and concentrated reforestation efforts make it a prime location for logging companies.
- Pricing is the key battleground for logging companies. Because manufacturing and construction clients seek the lowest possible costs, companies fight fiercely on price to secure contracts.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £2.1bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
New forestry and logging companies emerge
- The Forestry and Logging industry has seen an influx of new companies set up in the UK. New entrants can rent logging and other equipment and machinery they may need during busy periods, reducing depreciation costs and the required start-up capital.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Growing environmentalism drives sales for forestry companies
- Growing environmental awareness in the UK is expected to drive up revenue from forestry services as new woodland areas are planted.
Biggest companies in the Forestry & Logging in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (£m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Tilhill Forestry Ltd | 340.1 | |
Scottish Woodlands Ltd | 110.6 | |
John Gordon & Son Ltd | 26.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Forestry & Logging in the UK
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including New plantings, Restocking and Logging. New plantings is the largest segment of the Forestry & Logging in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Restocking remains an important task
- Restocking is the replacement of trees in areas of woodland that have been felled in the form of replanting or natural regeneration. Restocking rates are generally driven by the number of trees harvested.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Sawmilling & Wood Planing in the UK
International industries
- Logging in Canada
- Forestry and Logging in Australia
- Forestry and Logging in New Zealand
- Logging in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry are involved in a wide range of forestry and logging activities. These include growing standing timber in natural and planted forests; forest timber nursery operations; the logging and production of timber for wood-based manufacturing industries; the gathering of wild-growing, non-wood products, such as mushrooms, truffles, berries and nuts; and forestry support services, such as forestry inventories, management, consultancy, firefighting and pest control.
What's included in this industry?
New plantingsRestockingLoggingForestry support servicesCompanies
Tilhill Forestry LtdScottish Woodlands LtdJohn Gordon & Son LtdPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ROUNDWOODCONIFERBROADLEAFSILVICULTUREAFFORESTATIONDEFORESTATIONFORESTRY QUARRIESBOARD FEETIndustry Code
SIC 02 - Forestry & Logging in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
New entrants animate the market. Several new companies have emerged in recent years, taking advantage of equipment rental and government funding to cut their start-up costs.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Growing environmentalism drives up reforestation activity. Demand for forestry services is on the rise, with government bodies and local authorities seeking to boost forest c...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Scotland's is a forestry haven. The country’s sheer space and concentrated reforestation efforts make it a prime location for logging companies.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Pricing is the key battleground for logging companies. Because manufacturing and construction clients seek the lowest possible costs, companies fight fiercely on price to sec...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Tilhill Forestry leads the market. Hefty investment by Binderholz (its ultimate parent) and key projects like the expansive Project Jerah help the company maintain strong cap...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Tilhill Forestry Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Scottish Woodlands Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of John Gordon & Son Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Tilhill Forestry Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Scottish Woodlands Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for John Gordon & Son Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Forestry companies have to follow the Forestry Act 1967. This mandates logging companies to secure a tree felling licence and replant areas where trees have been felled.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profitability struggles, but it’s on the road to recovery. Rising wages, disrupted supply chains and high fertiliser and fuel costs have dampened returns, but thanks to autom...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2021)
- Assets (2017-2021)
- Liabilities (2017-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £2.1bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in 2023?
There are 4,779 businesses in the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Forestry & Logging in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Forestry & Logging market in United Kingdom are Tilhill Forestry Ltd, Scottish Woodlands Ltd and John Gordon & Son Ltd
What does the Forestry & Logging in the UK in United Kingdom include?
New plantings and Restocking are part of the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Forestry & Logging in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Tilhill Forestry Ltd.
How competitive is the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Forestry & Logging in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
