Wavy Wood Sawmill is an independent sawmilling business that was set up by Nick Garton. Before Wavy Wood Sawmill, Nick ran a groundwork business. He also produced and sold firewood, with timber locally sourced from FSC-approved plantations, which he still does, alongside the sawmilling.
Nick became interested in sawmilling after realising he could profit from finished and milled timer – rather than just selling firewood.
He researched different sawmill models and brands – and came across Global Machinery Solutions, who he called – and spoke to Technical Consultant, Andy Dudley. Nick decided to invest in the Frontier OS27 due to its capabilities yet affordable price.
He then started milling logs – again locally and sustainably sourced – to produce timber for himself and local people who needed fencing materials and bespoke-measured timber for home and building projects. He also began making wooden bases for lobster and crab pots for local fishermen – and when he found the time, created a large shed to house his Frontier sawmill.
The sawmilling was an overnight success, with Nick producing more than 10,000 lobster and crab pot bottoms – and around 220 tonnes of fencing in less than two years, all whilst working a full-time job at the local steelworks at the same time!
Nick decided to document his sawmill journey on social media and has racked up more than 1m viewers on YouTube with his quirky, candid, and humorous videos. As he’d became so established in just nine months, Andy Dudley invited Nick to join the Global Machinery Solutions team at the 2022 APF Forestry Show to demonstrate the Norwood sawmills, including the HD38.
Nick loved using the HD38 so much during the show, he said he “had to have it”!
Funding from local authority
As a growing independent business, which supported the local community, Nick received funding from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to purchase the Norwood HD38 sawmill.
The new machine springboarded Nick into new realms, not only in terms of being able to mill more logs, but also moving to a larger premises, albeit a stone’s throw from his existing site. The Frontier OS27 still processes logs for fencing – however, the HD38 now allows Nick to mill much larger logs for his new furniture venture. His garden chairs and picnic tables are very popular and providing another source of income.
Another major advantage of the HD38 is the intelliset system, which allows Nick to operate the sawmill by remote control. It removes the manual process of adjusting the cut thickness – and manually pushing the carriage through the log. With Nick having Douglas Fir logs more than 1m wide, the HD38 makes light work of the milling and producing the wide slabs needed for his picnic tables.
The HD38 – along with all Norwood and Frontier sawmills – can be adapted to suit each owner’s requirements, including the bed length. Again, this enables Nick to process the wider and longer logs to maximise the amount of finished timber.
Back-up as valuable as the machine
Andy continues to support Nick throughout his journey and regularly visits Wavy Wood Sawmill to sort any technical niggles, install and demonstrate new modifications. Nick is learning along the way and Andy is always there to assist when needed.
The future of Wavy Wood Sawmill
Nick’s been inspired by both his sawmills and always looking for new ways to generate more income from his timber. This includes selling logs to a professional wood sculptor who transforms them into works of art. Through his YouTube channel Nick’s also formed close links with other sawmillers – and this summer is visiting an American counterpart with whom he will attend the Ohio Forestry Association’s Paul Bunyan Show.
What Nick from Wavy Wood Sawmill said
“The Frontier OS27 and Norwood HD38 sawmills have welcomed me into a whole new sawmilling world, and it’s been life changing. There are many sawmill brands out there – however, what sold the Norwood and Frontier for me, is the back-up provided by Global Machinery Solutions – particularly Andy, who’s opened so many doors for me.”
“I’d had enough of grounds work – and although I was already selling firewood, knew there were so many other opportunities. The Frontier set me on the path by processing logs for fence panels and timber. The HD38 was the game changer though and I now spend as much time as I can – in between my other full-time job – milling larger slabs and building garden furniture to sell.”
“The Frontier and Norwood sawmills - and Global’s support - have allowed my business to snowball. I’m excited about my sawmilling future and hope to use them to generate even more income for my family.”
What Andy from Global Machinery Solutions said
“It’s been an absolute delight working with Nick and seeing his business flourish following the investment in his sawmills. It’s wonderful to see the fruits of his labour pay off through the income he earns from his timber and furniture – and his work ethic is inspiring. Wavy Wood Sawmill is a marvellous success story and I’m looking forward to working with him for many years to come.”
