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"R & D. Aiken Ltd. Of Coleraine, have been supplying timber and building materials to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland for over thirty-five years. Mr Robert H.G.Aiken and his wife, Dorothy, started the business in 1964. Mr R.Derek Aiken, who had just graduated from Queens University in Belfast, joined in partnership with his parents, in 1969. This injection of youthful enthusiasm set in motion a chain of events that would see R.& D. Aiken Ltd develop and prosper into one of the most successful timber importing companies in the United Kingdom. The move to their premises on Hillman's Fancy, now known as Hillman's way, off the Ballycastle Road, was to hold the key to their success. A much larger site than their original one at Long Commons, it would enable them to carry a wider variety of timber, and provide space for large covered storage facilities, while still retaining their modern saw mill. The new storage sheds meant that the company could develop its interest in imported Hardwood. It was in this area that R. & D. Aiken Ltd created its unparalleled name in the business for providing quality timber from around the world. The fording of the stream, which ran along the perimeter of the property in 1982, tripled the size of the yard, and enabled further investment in the hardwood side of the operation with the inclusion of four huge kilns to dry the hardwood, and a state of the art pinning machine. The death of the company's founder, Robert, in June 1984, signalled the end of an era, but also a new beginning, as his son, Derek, took complete control of the prospering company. Imports of Hardwood, Softwood and Sheet Materials continued from the United States, Scandinavia, South America, Africa and the Far East. Unfortunately Derek was diagnosed with Cancer, and died in 1991. Derek's eldest son, Robert, joined the team in 1998. He hopes to continue the pioneering spirit with which the company was founded in 1964." * Specialising in Hardwoods, such as Ash, Maple, Cherry, Oak, Sapele, Iroko, and Keruing, R. & D. Aiken Ltd holds a large stock throughout the year. For a full list of our Specialist Hardwoods, as well as a complete range of Softwoods, Sheet Materials, Hardwood / Softwood Floors, Hardwood Decking, and other Building Products, please use the links above, or go to our Products page. All of the timber that is bought into the yard from sustainable resources, and R&D Aiken Ltd pride themselves on their Environmental Policy. * Editorial taken from Coleraine Cronicle May 1999 |
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