Our heritage
Built on generations of expertise.
Over 50 years of timber frame expertise
Discover 50 years of Donaldson Timber Systems expertise. Trusted by housebuilders and contractors to deliver quality, sustainable homes with confidence.
For over half a century, we have been shaping the future of UK housebuilding. From our very first timber frame homes to today’s precision-engineered open panel and closed panel systems, we’ve built more than 150,000 homes, over 300 hotels, and countless schools, healthcare, and commercial buildings.
1975
Our Foundations
Timber Systems began life as Wellgrove, laying the groundwork for decades of timber innovation.
1988
Building Higher in Timber
Delivered Aberdeen’s first four-storey timber frame homes with Headland Homes.
1993
A New Identity
Rebranded as Stewart Milne Timber Systems and opened a new office in Westhill, Aberdeen.
1995
A Hospitality First
Designed and manufactured the very first Premier Inn building—over 300 manufactured by 2025.
1998
Building with Purpose
Manufactured and built the first of three orphanages in Romania for the Romanian Challenge Appeal.
1999
Pushing Timber Limits
Completed the first six-storey timber frame hotel for Premier Inn.
2002
Offsite Innovation
Opened an automated offsite manufacturing facility in Witney, Oxfordshire.
2004
Investing in Leadership
All managers undertook a dedicated management programme at Cranfield University.
2007
Sustainability Leadership
Built the UK’s first Code Level 5 home at BRE Innovation Park.
2010
Collaborative Sustainability
Partnered with Barratt Group, Crest Nicholson and H+H Celcon to deliver Code Level 4 homes through AIMC4.
2011
A Smarter Build System
Launched the Sigma II Build System with full BBA and BOPAS accreditation.
2013
Community Impact
Joined forces with BBC DIY SOS Children in Need to build a day centre for Little Miracles in Peterborough.
2017
Scaling Modern Methods
Partnered again with Barratt Group to launch AIMCH, accelerating the adoption of MMC.
2021
A New Chapter
Became part of the James Donaldson Group.
2024
Proven Environmental Performance
Published the UK’s first Environmental Product Declaration for timber frame wall panels.
2025
Safety Excellence
Awarded the ROSPA Health and Safety Award for the 15th consecutive year.
2025
A Major Milestone
Supplied the 15,000th timber frame system for Barratt Group.
