Archwood Group, a leading manufacturer of timber products, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2024. The prestigious accolade was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry George Fetherstonhaugh OBE, at a ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Chirk, North Wales. Local dignitaries, including the mayor and councillors, were in attendance to celebrate Archwood Group’s commitment to sustainability.  Founded in 1867, Archwood Group has been at the forefront of timber manufacturing for over 150 years. As a family-owned business, the company is proud to be recognised for its ongoing dedication to sustainable practices and its efforts to minimise its environmental impact. The event included a site tour, a presentation on Archwood’s sustainability initiatives, and a formal award ceremony. Lord-Lieutenant Fetherstonhaugh presented the King’s Award to the Archwood team, acknowledging their commitment to reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability across the business. Josh Burbidge, Managing Director of Archwood Group, said: “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development is a proud moment for our entire team. It validates the hard work we’ve put into making sustainability an integral part of our operations, and it underscores our commitment to leading by example in the timber manufacturing industry.” The award is proof of Archwood Group’s dedication to sustainable practices, following a remarkable 66% reduction in emissions. Installation of over 2,600 solar panels underscores their proactive stance on reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to 100% renewable energy. In 2021, Archwood Group partnered with the sustainability accreditation, Planet Mark, and also joined the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, whereby the business has committed to achieve Net Zero by no later than 2050. This follows Archwood Group’s appointment of its internal Environmental Action Group. The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 58th year, honours UK businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the economy, society, and the environment. Archwood Group is one of 11 winners from Wales to receive the award this year, joining an esteemed group of enterprises. Archwood Group, based in Chirk, North Wales, operates under two trading brands: Richard Burbidge, a leading manufacturer of stairparts, decking, and mouldings, and Atkinson & Kirby, which supplies premium hardwood flooring. As a local, family-owned business, Archwood Group is committed to sustainable development and strives to make a positive contribution to both the economy and the environment. Find out more about our Sustainability Journey here

Following the announcement of this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise, Archwood Group and JJ Smith have strengthened their partnership to drive sustainable innovation in timber manufacturing. Archwood Group, recently honoured for Sustainable Development, and JJ Smith, awarded for International Trade, are combining their expertise to lead the industry in eco-friendly practices and advanced production technology.  Archwood Group, a leader in sustainable timber products, has invested over £500,000 in CNC machinery from JJ Smith, a trusted partner of over 35 years. This cutting-edge equipment enhances Archwood’s production capabilities for its Richard Burbidge brand, supporting increased efficiency while reinforcing the company’s sustainability targets. Josh Burbidge, Managing Director of Archwood Group, commented: “Receiving the King’s Award for Sustainable Development was a proud moment for everyone at Archwood. Strengthening our partnership with JJ Smith allows us to continue making strides in sustainability while expanding production capability. Their advanced machinery supports our goals of reducing emissions and minimising our environmental impact.” Lee Burford, Operations Director of Archwood Group, highlighted; “Investment in state-of-the-art machinery from our long-standing partner, JJ Smith, demonstrates our commitment to UK manufacturing. It broadens our manufacturing capabilities, allowing us to offer a wider range of products to our customer base including new & innovative designs. To celebrate their shared success in the King’s Awards, Archwood Group hosted JJ Smith’s Managing Director Rachael Baker for an exclusive tour of Archwood’s North Wales production facility. During the visit, both teams reviewed current projects and explored new opportunities for further automation and innovation in sustainable timber manufacturing. Rachael Baker, Managing Director of JJ Smith, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Archwood Group on their sustainability journey. Our long-standing collaboration is built on shared values and a commitment to creating positive environmental impact, and together, we are advancing what is possible in the woodworking industry.” As two of the UK’s most recognised family businesses, Archwood Group and JJ Smith are setting a new standard for innovation in the timber industry. The King’s Award achievements underscore their dedication to sustainable development and international trade, and their continued collaboration is expected to drive further advancements in environmentally friendly timber production. For more information about JJ Smith, please visit jjsmith.co.uk

We’re excited to introduce our latest launch at Richard Burbidge - an all-new range of Acoustic Panels designed to transform your space. Whether you're styling your home or upgrading a commercial setting, these panels offer the perfect combination of form and function. Acoustic panels are becoming a go-to choice for anyone looking to enhance both the atmosphere and sound quality of their rooms. By absorbing excess noise and reducing echo, these panels can instantly create a calmer, more comfortable environment. Whether it's a bustling restaurant, a lively office, or even a cosy living room, good acoustics can make all the difference. Our new range of Acoustic Panels doesn’t just help with sound—they also add a clean, modern look to your space. Available in five different finishes, including Light Oak, Grey Oak, and Walnut, the panels can be installed on both walls and ceilings, giving you plenty of options to fit your design needs. We’ve collaborated with FibroTech, experts in acoustic technology, to ensure our panels are highly effective at soundproofing. This partnership combines Richard Burbidge’s high-quality timber expertise with FibroTech’s advanced acoustic solutions, offering you a reliable and attractive option for any room. Versatility is key with our Acoustic Panels. Whether you’re creating a peaceful home office, refining the acoustics in a bedroom, or cutting down on noise in a busy commercial space like a restaurant or open-plan office, these panels deliver on all fronts. They can be installed on both walls and ceilings, giving you flexibility in design and application.  For full details on how to install the panels click here Like all our products, these Acoustic Panels are made with sustainability in mind. They are crafted from FSC® 100% certified timber, and the polyester backing is made from recycled materials, offering an environmentally conscious solution. To view our new collection, click here or download our brochure here

Use these top wall panelling ideas to add interesting details to your space. Decorative Wall Panels are a great way to upgrade your interior style. From traditional shaker styles to more modern alternatives, wall panelling looks great in both contemporary and period homes. The perfect way to elevate an otherwise simple space, decorative wall panels work well in bedrooms, living rooms and hallways, but can be used almost anywhere in the home. Whether you’re trying to break up a large room, help make a room look more spacious, adding architectural shape or making a stunning focal point; the versatility of decorative mouldings is endless.   Sometimes known as wall cladding, moulding, or wainscoting, wall panelling comes in lots of different forms. If you’re new to DIY, the various types of panels and how to fit them may seem puzzling. Never fear – we’re here to give you the lowdown so you can achieve picture-perfect panelling in your home. Shaker Style Shaker-style panelling, sometimes known as board and batten, is arguably one of the most popular types of DIY panelling. The traditional square appearance adds three-dimensional depth to your room, creating a cosy, homely feel. You’ll often find this style of panelling in bedrooms, as it makes a great feature wall behind a headboard. Plus, shaker-style panelling is quick and simple to install if you choose to do it yourself. Victorian This traditional style of panelling emulates the interior design of a colonial house, alternating wide and narrow panels that can either span half height or full length. Although Victorian panelling takes on various forms, we recommend opting for floor-to-ceiling panelling if you are looking to achieve a truly regal design. The most traditional colour pairings for Victorian panelling are pale greys and blues. Shiplap Shiplap is a type of panelling originally used to waterproof boats. It was installed with grooves cut into the top and bottom of the panels so that they could overlap, forming a tight seal to keep water out. Although made in a similar way today, shiplap panelling is now often used as a decorative addition in nautical-themed bathrooms. Half Wall Panelling Elevate your living room design and give it a touch of Edwardian grandeur with a half-wall DIY board and batten design for added dimension, subtle interest, and texture. Both smart and stylish, opt for panelling in a fresh neutral finish and contrast with an uplifting shade on walls to mix things up with a two-tone scheme. Richard Burbidge recently created a new collection of ready-primed wall panelling kits designed to deliver faster and smoother finishes for interior design projects.  For time-efficient and cost-effective DIY solutions, our PaintReady kits arrive ready for fitting, with no sanding, filling or priming needed, achieving a smoother, faster finish, streamlining the renovation process and expediting installations.   The collection features four distinctive wall panelling kits, significantly expanding design possibilities and DIY projects. These kits include versatile squares, elongated rectangles, and half-wall variations, providing endless creative opportunities for homeowners to install easily.  Looking to find guidance on how to fit wall panelling? Check out our ‘How To Guides’. For inspiration on how to install decorative mouldings into your home, take a look at one of our recent case studies.    View our full collection here: https://richardburbidge.com/shop/mouldings  

Archwood Group has achieved a Year 3 Certificate with Planet Mark, a sustainability certification that verifies and measures carbon and social data to reduce emissions as part of its continued sustainability initiatives. Since teaming up with Planet Mark in 2021, Archwood has achieved a remarkable 66% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions. This success stems from focused efforts to decrease energy consumption and emissions directly at the operational level. Key initiatives include installing a 1MW Solar PV system, transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources, upgrading the FLT fleet to zero-emissions trucks, and optimising site layout, extraction processes, and machine efficiency. This year, Archwood Group is prioritising the reassessment of Scope 3, supply chain emissions, and is actively developing closer collaborations with suppliers. With Scope 3 emissions constituting a significant 95% of Archwood’s total carbon footprint, the group is engaging with 15 key global suppliers, collectively representing 80% of the total company spending. The aim is to share sustainability updates and discuss policy changes, emphasising the pivotal role of these collaborations in achieving their sustainability goals. In 2021, Archwood Group partnered with the sustainability accreditation, Planet Mark a Business Certification internationally recognised sustainability certification for businesses reporting its carbon footprint and demonstrating continuous progress, encouraging action and building an empowered community of like-minded individuals. As part of Archwood’s commitment to environmental best practise, the business has also joined the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. Race to Zero is the UN-backed global campaign rallying businesses to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world. Due to Archwood Group's sustainability initiatives, the business was honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2024. This prestigious award, announced on Monday, 6th May, recognises Archwood Group as one of 252 organisations nationally for its excellence in sustainable practices. This accolade is a testament to Archwood Group’s commitment to sustainability. Josh Burbidge, Managing Director of Archwood, commented: “As a business, it is critical that we measure our own impact on the environment. Planet Mark are supporting us with measuring and validating our carbon footprint, creating a clear picture of all our environmental impacts. This support will enable us to identify ways to take rigorous and immediate action to halve our carbon footprint by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by no later than 2050. “After many months of data collation and external verification, we are proud to announce that we’ve achieved the Planet Mark Year 3 Business Certification. This is an incredible achievement involving the entire business. “Through our partnership with Planet Mark, we have protected an area of endangered rainforest thanks to Cool Earth; a charity working alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation. Additionally, by collaborating with Planet Mark, we are also contributing to the Eden Project – an educational charity building connections with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work together towards a better future.” Josh adds: “Being honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development 2024 is an incredible achievement involving the entire business. We want to continue to do our part in having a positive impact on the planet and society. Each and every one of us plays an important role in our sustainability journey, and we’re encouraging colleagues and customers to get involved in any way they can.” Download Year 3 Certificate here Find out more about our Sustainability Journey here

In today’s society, colour trends within interior design are constantly evolving, in the past several key trends have emerged from bright vivid colours, pretty pastels to muted neutrals, each bringing its own unique aesthetic and mood to spaces. Choosing a style for your home is a crucial step in the design process that sets the tone for the entire space and can often be tedious and overwhelming process due to the number of options available. The Rise of Monochrome Staircases In recent years, research has shown a shift in homeowner preferences. Many are now favouring contemporary designs over the more traditional, where variations of a single colour can create a cohesive, sophisticated look. This approach can be striking with monochrome interiors creating a sleek, modern aesthetic and can make a space feel more expansive and unified. By varying textures and finishes within the same colour family, designers can add depth and interest without the need for multiple colourways. The monochrome staircase is at the forefront of this trend, offering a bold, stylish alternative to more conventional styles such as dark oak or glass staircase. A monochrome staircase, with its stark contrast between black and white, embodies modern elegance. The clean lines and minimalist aesthetic create a striking visual centrepiece in any home. Whether it's a glass staircase with black accents or a white staircase with black railings, the monochrome look is both sophisticated and versatile. Creating your Monochrome Look This classic colour scheme offers versatility and sophistication, making it a favourite among homeowners seeking a modern aesthetic. Whether you're remodelling an existing staircase or planning a new build, Richard Burbidge can help you achieve the perfect monochrome staircase design in a few simple steps. Paint-Ready Rails Begin with the foundation of your staircase by opting for either a pine or PaintReady rails.  Our PaintReady stairparts arrive ready for fitting, with no sanding, filling, or priming needed, they feature a range of timber stair parts pre-finished in an ultra-smooth, eco-friendly, water-based primer, ready to be painted on arrival and perfectly set the stage for the following contrasting elements:  Black Metal Balusters For a sleek and contemporary look, consider installing black metal balusters. These slender vertical supports provide a contrast against white handrails, creating a striking visual that guides the eye upward. Painted Balusters and Rails Alternatively, the same eye-catching look can be achieved by flipping the contrast, by painting the balusters white, while keeping the rails black. This reverse approach still achieves the monochrome effect while allowing for variation in how the contrast is expressed. To explore the full Richard Burbidge range, click here.