Calders & Grandidge

Production Process

Debarking & Classification

Our poles are debarked and inspected at source shortly after harvesting. Poles are graded into sizes (light, medium and stout) and stacked accordingly for partial seasoning

Drying

We believe the best way to dry timber is naturally, by air. This process may take longer, but we believe it is the only way to ensure high quality treated timber poles as an end result.

Poles begin drying at source where they are laid out for partial seasoning. Once they have been shipped to our site in Boston, Lincolnshire they are moisture tested again and laid in graded stacks for further seasoning.

We leave six to twelve months - depending on the size of the individual pole - for the natural drying process to be completed. During this time poles are consistently moisture tested, and are not treated any further until their moisture content is below 28%.

Dressing

To provide a smooth surface to all our poles we dress - or peel – the outer cambium layer with our automatic dressing machine. The waste chips stripped from the pole are transported to our on site furnace where it is used a fuel to heat the creosote used in our plant.

Fabrication

Once our poles have dried sufficiently and been dressed they are ready for fabrication. At this stage we hand craft the poles to meet your individual specifications and requirements.

Impregnation

Creosote impregnation gives your timber pole the longest life span possible and protection from harsh conditions. Pressure treated creosoted poles provide a minimum desired service life of forty years, but may last considerably longer. Indeed there are numerous examples of poles in service which are over 100 years old!

Poles are pressure treated in one of our two 36m creosote impregnation vessels. Having these resources means we are able to get large orders treated quickly and efficiently, meaning your order gets to you faster.

After pressure treatment poles are again left to dry before being dispatched to support the nations telecommunications and power lines.

Benefits of Timber Poles

Storage and Transportation

When stacked efficiently, timber poles require less than half the storage space of concrete or steel poles, reducing storage and transportation costs.

When in transit and during handling, poles are likely to bear hits and knocks, wood is better able to withstand surface damage whereas the galvanised face of a steel pole is thin and can easily be damaged leaving the steel open to the elements and causing rust.

Foundation Requirements

Timber poles can be planted directly into the ground, even when pressure creosote treated. This makes timber a much easier material to work with as steel poles require concrete foundations and collars to prevent deterioration.

Moreover a timber pole is the lighter option, meaning it can be more easily lifted into place by smaller cranes, saving you money. Once in place, timber poles to not need to be electrically earthed like their steel counterparts as wood does not conduct electricity.

Ease of Machining

The ease of which timber can be machined means we are able to tailor our stock range of poles to your individual requirements and specifications. Bespoke design is a much more costly and time consuming process when dealing with steel and concrete.

Ease of Installations of Cables

Timber poles are far easier for linesmen to work atop as unlike steel and concrete poles they require no special attachments for accessories. Installations can be made by simply using screws and bolts.

Electrical Properties

As Wood has excellent electrical insulating properties there is no need for a timber pole to be earthed. It is therefore safer material for us in tall poles than steel or concrete which could attract lightning.

Cost Saving

Wood poles are less expensive that steel in many areas. These include the raw material cost and transportation, and we are able to pass these savings onto you.

Furthermore timber poles are easier to install and modify on site, meaning you will be constantly saving money throughout the life cycle of your pole through reduced maintenance costs.

Environmental Impact

All the timber we use in the manufacture of our poles is FSC/PEFC chain of custody certified, meaning all the trees we harvest come from sustainable managed forests. No other pole material comes from a renewable source, making timber the only true eco-friendly source material.

After their service life, timber poles can be recycled to suit many other applications or be used as fuel. This adds value as well as additional years to the lifecycle of your timber pole.