Workshop space was acquired in New Malden, some machinery was bought in and a small team of skilled joiners was employed to manufacture John’s bespoke designs of furniture and other timber products.
It was during one design project, involving the complete renovation of the house of a client in Richmond, that the idea for double glazed wooden sash windows was born. The client wanted something that would set their home apart, using modern products but retaining traditional character. Double glazed timber sash windows was the answer. John researched the possibilities but could not find any companies capable of manufacturing double glazed sash windows in a traditional style.
John, in his characteristic way, wouldn’t be beaten, and set about redesigning the sash window from the ground up, incorporating double glazing and weather seals but retaining the original look of a sash window.
The design proved a success and Woodland began to market its new design of timber box sash window immediately. The concept was a popular one and as demand increased a range of bespoke casement windows, French doors and sliding doors followed.
During the recession of the 1990’s business was tough and the decision was taken to concentrate on a core of products which would ensure Woodland’s survival as well as the continued employment of its highly skilled workforce. From this point on everything was about the windows and doors. With John’s eye for design and his skilled production team behind him Woodland was in a position to design, manufacture and install a range of timber windows and doors that was unsurpassed in quality and detail.
The business continued to grow once the recession was beaten and in 1994 Woodland moved its premises from New Malden to Kingston Upon Thames where it remains to this day, occupying the site of the old Norbiton School. Throughout this time the company continued to invest in new machinery and production techniques to ensure Woodland stayed ahead of the game in a growing niche industry.
Timber moulding machines were installed, a spray shop for finishing the windows was built, and a glass processing centre for the manufacture of double glazed units was acquired. All this meant that as the business grew, Woodland maintained complete control of production quality from start to finish. Everything was done in-house, and this is a concept that Woodland has held true to this day.
In 2003 John’s son Chris joined the company. Chris had grown up around Woodland, helping in the workshop in the holidays when he was young and working on-site when he was a little older. He then returned to the company following his time at university, and has been with Woodland ever since.
John remains involved with Woodland to this day and still takes an active part in the continued evolution and design of our products. To this day Woodland is family run, and we hope this comes across in the way we treat our customers.
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Woodland of Kingston, St Peters House, 6 Cambridge Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3JY
Registered in England No: 3833894 VAT No: 217 3996 39
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