Wood fuel specialist makes its business smarter

By Catapult PR

24 Jul 2023

Website
stephenbeech2 copy.jpg.jpg

Wood fuel specialist Logs Direct has scooped Gold and Silver accolades in the Made Smarter Awards 2023, on the basis of the digital transformation it has pursued to drive manufacturing improvements and business growth.

The Lancaster-based business - a supplier of a comprehensive range of wood-fuel products, all certified as ‘Ready to Burn’, plus complementary and ancillary products -  was one of the first 19 SME manufacturing businesses to receive a Gold award from Made Smarter.

This recognised Logs Direct’s investment in a real-time kiln monitoring system that also encompasses heat recovery.  The installation of this new technology has helped to significantly reduce the energy required for the wood-drying process, by around 15 per cent and helped to make the whole process much greener. 

A further investment of over £80,000 of new technology has been devoted to the kiln-drying process.  The technology moves hot air around within the kiln, so that all the logs are dried evenly.  It then records the  humidity in the air and the length of time taken by the drying cycles, it extracts all of the wet, hot air from the kiln, removes the moisture and returns the air back to the kiln as dry, warm air to be used again and again.

This process continues to help ensure that all of the wood that is dried meets new Defra conditions relating to moisture content in wood.  It enables all Logs Direct customers to buy with confidence and understand that the wood is not just dried correctly but also as efficiently and ecologically as possible. 

The investment in this technology has paved the way for even more eco-friendly products to be introduced in the future and has provided all the business benefits that accrue from improved efficiencies.  It opens up new market opportunities for Logs Direct and business growth of 15 per cent is now predicted in the coming year, which will in turn lead to more job creation.

This latest development at the UK’s leading wood specialist is another sign of Logs Direct never standing still.  Since its establishment, it has always incorporated leading-edge technology into its production regime, so as to create and offer better products and optimise its capacity.  This has come at significant cost but the investment has always driven the business to another level and helped earn the trust of trading partners.

The business has similarly been relentless in solving the many issues relating to raw materials that have emerged over the past 10 years and particularly since Covid-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  Logs Direct has somehow managed to successfully steer its ship through the choppiest of global supply waters.

By optimising its manufacturing approach and continually striving to decarbonise its operation as much as possible, the company has been able to launch innovative and relevant products and secure contracts with some of the country’s leading retailers and brands.

Sales director, Stephen Talbot, says: “The Made Smarter Awards are testament to our desire to incorporate digital solutions within our business, so as to continually drive improvement and deliver product excellence.  We are grateful for the support that Made Smarter provided, to help us achieve our latest decarbonisation and growth goals but can assure customers that the road to greater efficiency through technology does not stop here.”

The business will continue to offer customers as many best-in-class fuel options as possible, via www.logsdirect.co.uk and its trade brand of Warma Home Fuels, delivering bespoke solutions whenever required and offering informed, specialist advice on any wood-related products. To access this expertise, just call Logs Direct on 01524 812476.         

Enjoyed this? Read more from Catapult PR

Latest news

1

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards University of Central Lancashire winners at Educate North Award Winners 2025

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards

04 Apr 2025

2

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors The Villa Levens and The VillaWrea Green (Image credit: The Villa Levens and The Villa Wrea Green)

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors

04 Apr 2025

3

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

4

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

5

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin