Ministerial visit shines spotlight on innovation of Longford timber firm

With forestry seen as key to delivering Ireland’s housing and climate targets, a third-generation timber processing business established in Longford looks set to scale even greater heights of success.  

A ministerial visit to The Glennon Brothers’ £18 million timber frame home manufacturing facility in North Ayrshire, Scotland - Alexanders Timber Design - highlighted the importance of a more collaborative approach to forestry, sawmilling and using locally-sourced timber in construction, a method currently being demonstrated by The Glennon Brothers’.  

John Cummins, Minister of State with responsibility for Housing, Local Government and Planning, visited the premises as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day Global Outreach programme. 

Read: Two Longford Garda Reserves honoured for their service

Mike Glennon - who is managing director of the company alongside his brother Pat - discussed with Minister Cummins the need for more commercial forests in Ireland in order to meet future demand for construction-grade timber. This approach would form part of a broader effort to resolve delays in housing delivery. 

Said Mike, “With just 2,500 hectares planted in 2025, against a Government target of 8,000 hectares and climate change target of 16,000, Ireland must increase forest cover to avoid significant EU penalties. At present, only 30% of planting is suitable for housebuilding, limiting the supply of timber needed for the construction sector.”

He added, “As an Irish company with deep roots in Longford and major operations across Ireland and Scotland, Glennon Brothers is continuing to invest in the capacity, skills and manufacturing needed to support greater use of homegrown timber in construction.”

Read: Longford meeting hears calls for emergency payment to be made to people with disabilities

The Glennon Brothers’ state-of-the-art Scottish facility showcased their ‘from forest to front door’ model using advanced robotics, digital design systems and precision engineering.

Much of the timber used in the manufacturing process is sourced from forests within a 70-mile radius, before being processed at the Glennon Brothers’ sawmill in nearby Troon and then converted into timber frame homes at the state-of-the-art facility for housing developments across Scotland’s central belt.

During the trip, Minister Cummins praised the innovation of Pat and Mike Glennon, and complemented their work in both Ireland and Scotland, noting that facilities such as theirs demonstrated exactly how such expertise could help deliver sustainable homes at scale.