King Charles Expresses Gratitude to Sawmill Workers for Balmoral Timber Purchase
King Charles recently paid a visit to the James Jones and Sons Limited sawmill in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, where he extended his thanks to the dedicated workers.
This sawmill has been procuring timber from the Balmoral Estate for over 34 years, establishing a strong relationship between the royal estate and the sawmill.
During his visit, Charles expressed his appreciation for their efforts.
Longstanding Relationship with Balmoral Estate
The James Jones sawmill, in operation since 1962, primarily serves the Scottish market but also exports its products to countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
The sawmill underwent a reconstruction in 1991 and had the honor of hosting Charles during his visit as Prince of Wales eight years later, a memory some of the workers still hold.
Acknowledgment of the Global Impact
Charles donned a hard hat and hi-vis gear for most of his visit, marking what is believed to be his first such appearance since ascending to the throne as King.
He commended the sawmill’s extensive reach worldwide and expressed his understanding that the continuity of his visits would depend on the remarkable people behind its operation.
Sustainability and Timber Production
The sawmill maintains an indirect working relationship with the Balmoral Estate, supplying high-quality pine and fostering a partnership that spans several decades.
It recently invested £15 million in sustainability measures, focusing on producing construction timber that can be used as an eco-friendly alternative to steel and concrete.
Efficient Timber Processing
With a highly efficient production process, the sawmill can transform a single large log into 24 smaller pieces in one pass, ensuring minimal waste.
Sawed timber is sold in the market, while chips and sawdust are repurposed for chipboard, and bark is used in horticulture.
Any remaining residues are utilized as fuel for the biomass boiler, which heats the kilns for timber drying.
Meeting the Sawmill Team
During his visit, King Charles had the opportunity to meet key members of the sawmill team, including the site manager, primary processing manager, and saw-line operator.
He also unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, which was crafted on-site, and signed the visitor book.
Workers’ Appreciation for Royal Visits
Workers at the sawmill expressed their excitement and appreciation for the royal visit, recalling Charles’ previous visit in 1999.
Apprentice Kieron Cassie shared that the visit generated excitement, and Charles engaged in conversation with him and others.
The sawmill staff deeply value the Royals’ presence in the region.
Environmental and Sustainability Discussions
During his visit, Charles discussed the significance of productive forestry as carbon sinks and the importance of exceeding annual planting targets across the UK.
He also emphasized the environmental advantages of utilizing UK-grown structural timber products to support sustainable housing construction.
Company Chairman’s Perspective
Tom Bruce-Jones, the chairman of James Jones and Sons Limited, noted the honor of welcoming King Charles to their Aboyne site.
They discussed the environmental benefits of productive forestry and the commitment to meet annual planting goals in the UK.
The visit provided an opportunity to highlight the environmental advantages of using UK-grown structural timber for sustainable housing construction.