Local MSP Brian Whittle has made a visit to timber firm Ailsa Wood Products in Old Dailly. The business was first opened in 1980 and was bought by current owners Scott Wilson and his partners, Rainbridge Timber in 2015.
The company started by buying oak whisky casks at the end of their useful life from distilleries and converting them into garden tubs that are sold on to garden centres. Since then, they’ve expanded into producing their own tubs using European hardwood. The firm also manufacture and sell bungs for whisky casks to several major distillery brands throughout Scotland.
Since taking over Scott and his partners have grown the business to 15 employees and last year they installed their own sawmill on site with funding support from South Ayrshire Council’s AMBITION programme.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Wood and whisky are two of South Scotland’s major industries so it was really interesting to see the two coming together at Ailsa Wood Products. Much of the distilling process has changed with technology, but the barrel making techniques are the same today as they always have been and it’s great to see Ailsa continuing to preserve and teach those skills with their handmade products. I’m grateful to Scott and the team for taking the time to show me around.”
