JAMES DONALDSON TIMBER LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
SC183918 · ltd · incorporated 1998-03-17
Investment thesis
Well-run mature business — low negotiation leverage; premium likely.
Why interesting: Textbook target; clean filings, stable trading.
Why risky: No pressure on seller; any deal likely at full price.
Opportunity decay
hardening · 12-months
Already tight — no obvious softening catalysts on the horizon.
- · Thesis: well-run, low negotiation leverage
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
79/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Sawmilling and planing of wood
Sector: Manufacturing
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 60-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 79/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (60/100, director aged 60). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 4 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
4 live charges · 4 lenders · oldest 27.7y
35/100
too messy
Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 27.7 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 4 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 30/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (61/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
4 charges (4/4 with lender, 4/4 with type)
90
Directors & officers
15 officers (6 active, 15 linked, 12 with DOB)
86
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 1 total, 1 with control declared
90
Director network
21 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
101 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
79/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
80
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (51 events)Click to expand
- 2025-06-11📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-07-20📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-07-18➕FITZPATRICK, Michael appointeddirector
- 2024-06-06📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-03-14➖GIBSON, Joanne resigneddirector
- 2024-03-14📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-07-31➕DONALDSON, Alyson appointeddirector
- 2023-07-31📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-05-10📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-04-07➖CAIRNS, Arlene resigneddirector
- 2023-04-07📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2022-06-29📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-04-05📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC05
- 2022-01-26📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2022-01-26🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2021-12-23📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2021-12-15🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Lloyds Bank PLC (The Security Agent)
- 2021-09-30📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2021-09-17➕GIBSON, Joanne appointeddirector
- 2021-04-07📄appoint-person-secretary-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP03
- 2021-04-06📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2021-04-01➕MCMILLAN, Neil John appointedsecretary
- 2021-03-31➖HAWKINS, Ian Richard resignedsecretary
- 2021-02-19📄accounts-with-accounts-type-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-09-09📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2020-09-09📄change-account-reference-date-company-current-extendedaccounts · AA01
- 2020-09-09📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2020-09-01➕CAIRNS, Arlene appointeddirector
- 2020-08-31➖DONALDSON, Michael Neil resigneddirector
- 2020-04-09📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2020-04-01➖CAIRNS, Scott resigneddirector
- 2018-08-08➕DONALDSON, Michael James appointeddirector
- 2018-03-29➖HAWKINS, Ian Richard resigneddirector
- 2018-03-16➕DONALDSON, Andrew Robert appointeddirector
- 2015-02-17🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2015-02-12🔒Charge registered #3Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2011-04-01➕CAIRNS, Scott appointeddirector
- 2009-10-05➕HAWKINS, Ian Richard appointedsecretary
- 2009-10-05➖SINCLAIR, Alexander Alan resignedsecretary
- 2009-10-05➖SINCLAIR, Alexander Alan resigneddirector
- 2006-07-01➕TORRANCE, Iain appointeddirector
- 2006-07-01➖CAIRNS, Scott resigneddirector
- 2002-01-01➕HAWKINS, Ian Richard appointeddirector
- 2001-07-01➕CAIRNS, Scott appointeddirector
- 1999-10-26🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 1998-09-15🔒Charge registered #2Lender: The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland
- 1998-08-05🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Clydesdale Bank Public Limited Company
- 1998-03-17🏢Company incorporatedAs JAMES DONALDSON TIMBER LIMITED
- 1998-03-17➕SINCLAIR, Alexander Alan appointedsecretary
- 1998-03-17➕DONALDSON, Michael Neil appointeddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 51 events
Owner dependency
81/100
Critical — business is the founderThe business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.
FACTORS
- -5 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Founder name in company name: Company name contains director surname "DONALDSON" — strong identity link between founder and business.
- +Long-tenure founder: Senior director has been in place 20 years — deep operational knowledge concentrated in one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 60 — approaching natural succession window.
- +Family involvement: Multiple officers share a surname — likely family business, which concentrates governance.
Succession & seller-readiness
53/100
Moderate signalSome succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.
SIGNALS
- secondaryFounder aged 58+: Senior director is approximately 60. Early succession window.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 20 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
1 med ·Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Group structure
James Donaldson Group Ltd is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
James Donaldson Group Ltd
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares
⬇
JAMES DONALDSON TIMBER LIMITED
This company · SC183918
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
James Donaldson Group Ltd Corporate entity | 75–100% | — | 75-100% shares | 06/04/2016 |
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
🔒Co-director network graph
Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Similar companies
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| LANGSIDE QUARRY LIMITED→ SC765376 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
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| LETS CREATE 3D LTD→ SC874442 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| LIQUID LEVERS INNOVATIONS LTD.→ SC220207 · est 2001 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 24y | — | — |
| LMC SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LTD→ SC418891 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 14y | — | — |
| LUXURY TEXTILES COLLECTIONS LIMITED→ SC878885 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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| MAGMA FABRICATION (GLENROTHES) LIMITED→ SC070217 · est 1979 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 46y | — | — |
| MAY-ISLE FABRICATION LTD→ SC724999 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| MCDONALD WATER STORAGE LTD→ SC023339 · est 1945 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 80y | — | — |
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Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
6 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →🔒Advanced scoring suite
Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Company details
Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated1998-03-17
Jurisdictionscotland
Primary SIC16100 — Sawmilling and planing of wood
Registered office
Donaldson House Saltire Centre
Pentland Park
Glenrothes
KY6 2AG
Scotland
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-06-30
Last made up to: 2024-09-30
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-03-31
Last: 2026-03-17
Officers (6 active · 9 resigned)
MCMILLAN, Neil John→
Activesecretary · appointed 2021-04-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DONALDSON, Alyson→
Activedirector · ~43y · appointed 2023-07-31
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DONALDSON, Andrew Robert→
Activedirector · ~44y · appointed 2018-03-16
View their other companies + combined net worth →
DONALDSON, Michael James→
Activedirector · ~46y · appointed 2018-08-08
View their other companies + combined net worth →
FITZPATRICK, Michael→
Activedirector · ~33y · appointed 2024-07-18
View their other companies + combined net worth →
TORRANCE, Iain→
Activedirector · ~60y · appointed 2006-07-01
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HAWKINS, Ian Richard→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2009-10-05 · resigned 2021-03-31
SINCLAIR, Alexander Alan→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 1998-03-17 · resigned 2009-10-05
CAIRNS, Arlene→
Resigneddirector · ~48y · appointed 2020-09-01 · resigned 2023-04-07
CAIRNS, Scott→
Resigneddirector · ~59y · appointed 2011-04-01 · resigned 2020-04-01
CAIRNS, Scott→
Resigneddirector · ~59y · appointed 2001-07-01 · resigned 2006-07-01
DONALDSON, Michael Neil→
Resigneddirector · ~71y · appointed 1998-03-17 · resigned 2020-08-31
GIBSON, Joanne→
Resigneddirector · ~44y · appointed 2021-09-17 · resigned 2024-03-14
HAWKINS, Ian Richard→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2002-01-01 · resigned 2018-03-29
SINCLAIR, Alexander Alan→
Resigneddirector · ~81y · appointed 1998-03-17 · resigned 2009-10-05
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
4
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:4 of 4 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Bank PLC (The Security Agent) | A registered charge | — | 15/12/2021 | — | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC | A registered charge | — | 12/02/2015 | 26/01/2022 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland | Floating charge | 1 property | 15/09/1998 | 17/02/2015 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank Public Limited Company | Floating charge | 1 property | 05/08/1998 | 26/10/1999 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (101 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-03-17
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2025-06-11
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-03-17
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-07-20
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2024-06-06
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-03-18
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2024-03-14
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-07-31
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2023-05-10
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-04-07
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2023-04-07
accounts-with-accounts-type-full
accounts · AA
2022-06-29
change-to-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC05
2022-04-05
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2022-04-05
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2022-01-26