BSW Timber Carlisle: 57 Jobs at Risk in Sawmill Overhaul

Company plans to transform its Carlisle Cargo site into a timber processing and rail-linked logistics hub, raising concern over local job losses and community impact.

More than 50 workers are facing uncertainty after BSW Timber, the UK’s largest sawmilling company, confirmed a review of operations at its Carlisle Cargo site.
The company has begun a formal consultation process, with 57 jobs now at risk of redundancy, according to internal company communications and reports from local media.

The consultation, launched on October 31, 2025, is expected to continue through late 2025 and early 2026, with final decisions anticipated early next year. If the proposed changes proceed, primary sawmilling at the Carlisle facility could cease by mid-2026.

Shift Toward Processing and Distribution

The company is considering transforming the Carlisle facility into a sawn timber processing and distribution hub, moving away from traditional sawmilling toward value-added timber operations and logistics coordination.

A BSW Timber spokesperson said in a statement reported by local media that the review forms part of a “strategic realignment designed to strengthen long-term efficiency and environmental performance.”

“We are reviewing operations at our Carlisle Cargo site to ensure we remain competitive in a challenging market,” the spokesperson said. “We are engaging with employees and their representatives to explore all options, and our priority is to support those affected during this process.”

The overhaul would mark a significant change for the Carlisle site, which has been a key production base in northern England for decades.

Railhead Development and Modernisation Plan

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As part of its transformation strategy, BSW Timber has secured planning permission for a new railhead on land adjacent to the existing Carlisle facility.
According to council planning documents and reports from industry publications, the railhead will link Carlisle directly with the company’s Fort William site in the Scottish Highlands.

The proposed rail terminal would enable large volumes of sawn timber to be transported by train, reducing reliance on lorry transport between Scotland and England.
Industry analysts suggest this change could cut transport-related carbon emissions by up to 40 percent annually, while improving supply efficiency and reducing regional road congestion.

The redevelopment plan also includes:

• Construction of new warehouses and administrative offices,

• Creation of open storage areas and loading facilities, and

• Internal access routes to accommodate increased freight movement.

Local business leaders have cautiously welcomed the development, viewing it as a potential long-term investment in Cumbria’s logistics and green economy, even as job uncertainty looms for workers.

Jobs and Consultation Process

The 57 roles under review span sawmill operators, yard workers, machine technicians, maintenance staff, and administrative personnel.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the Carlisle site currently employs around 110 people, meaning just over half of the workforce could be affected if sawmilling operations end.

The company has said it will explore redeployment opportunities at other BSW Timber sites and provide redundancy and retraining support if job losses become unavoidable.

Union representatives have begun discussions with management to ensure fair consultation.
According to early reports from local unions, meetings are scheduled with staff representatives in November to discuss potential redeployment and severance terms.

A local union spokesperson said in comments reported by regional outlets that:

“We understand the company’s need to modernise, but this announcement has come as a shock to many. We will work to protect jobs wherever possible and ensure workers’ rights are respected during the process.”

Community and Council Response

The potential job losses have prompted concern from Carlisle City Council and the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
A council representative said the local authority is monitoring the situation and preparing to support any affected employees.

“BSW Timber has been an important local employer for many years,” the council representative said, as reported by local media. “We are working with partners, including the Department for Work and Pensions, to provide retraining and job placement support if redundancies occur.”

The Cumbria LEP also acknowledged that while the railhead development offers economic potential, the immediate risk to skilled sawmilling jobs remains a concern for the community.

Economic and Industry Context

The timber industry across the UK has faced volatile trading conditions since 2023 due to rising energy costs, a slowdown in housing and infrastructure projects, and intense competition from imported timber from Scandinavia and the Baltics.

Industry analysts note that BSW Timber’s restructuring mirrors moves across the sector to streamline operations, automate processing, and reduce operational emissions.

The Carlisle Cargo site has historically been a key part of BSW Timber’s northern network, processing softwood timber for construction, fencing, and DIY markets.
In recent years, the site has handled tens of thousands of cubic metres of sawn timber annually, contributing significantly to Cumbria’s industrial output and local employment.

If sawmilling ceases, secondary industries such as forestry contractors, haulage firms, and equipment suppliers could also feel the effects.

Environmental and Sustainability Benefits

BSW Timber’s railhead investment aligns with its parent company Binderholz Group’s sustainability framework, which prioritises renewable energy, efficient transport, and reduced emissions.

By shifting timber freight from road to rail, the company expects to cut hundreds of tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and reduce noise and traffic congestion on major northern routes.

Environmental analysts say the project could prevent up to 1,500 long-distance lorry journeys per year, supporting Cumbria’s wider Net Zero Business Strategy and enhancing the region’s credentials in sustainable industry.

The Road Ahead

The consultation period will continue through early 2026, after which BSW Timber will confirm whether sawmilling operations will end or be scaled down.
If the transformation proceeds, construction on the new railhead and warehouses could begin by mid-2026, potentially creating short-term construction and logistics roles.

For now, workers are left waiting for clarity.
While many acknowledge the company’s need to modernise, uncertainty over future employment remains a pressing concern for the Carlisle community.

Key Details at a Glance

About BSW Timber and Binderholz Group

Founded in 1848, BSW Timber is the UK’s largest sawmilling and timber processing company, employing around 2,000 people nationwide.
Its parent company, Binderholz Group, is based in Austria and operates across Europe, specialising in sustainable forestry, timber construction, and renewable energy.

The Carlisle site, one of BSW’s key English facilities, has historically supported regional forestry and supply chains and remains strategically important to the company’s UK network.

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Relevant FAQs 

1. Why are jobs at risk at BSW Timber’s Carlisle site?

BSW Timber announced a review of its Carlisle Cargo sawmill as part of a plan to modernise operations. The company intends to transform the site into a sawn timber processing and rail-linked logistics hub, which could end traditional sawmilling and affect 57 jobs.

2. How many employees could lose their jobs at BSW Timber Carlisle?

According to company communications and local reports, around 57 workers are at risk of redundancy at the Carlisle site — roughly half of the total workforce.

3. What changes are being planned for the BSW Timber Carlisle site?

The company plans to phase out sawmilling and introduce secondary timber processing, distribution, and a new railhead connecting Carlisle with Fort William. The upgrade supports sustainable transport and operational efficiency.

4. What is the purpose of the new railhead project in Carlisle?

The new railhead aims to move timber by train instead of lorries, reducing road congestion and cutting transport-related carbon emissions by up to 40% each year.

5. Has BSW Timber confirmed when sawmilling will stop in Carlisle?

The company has not announced an exact closure date. The consultation period will run through late 2025 and early 2026, with final decisions expected next year.

6. Who owns BSW Timber?

BSW Timber is part of the Binderholz Group, an Austrian-based global timber company that acquired BSW Group in 2022.

7. How will this decision affect Carlisle’s local economy?

If sawmilling ceases, it could impact local jobs and suppliers, though the new logistics and rail development may create future roles in transport, warehousing, and site maintenance.

8. What support is available for affected workers?

Carlisle City Council, the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are expected to offer retraining and employment support for those affected.