Who we are

Barwon Timber is an independent family-owned business, established in 1980. We started our business cutting Oregon and Western Cedar at our mill at Barwon Terrace in South Geelong.

Since then, our business has grown to include an extensive range of building products and services.

In 1997 we opened Bar-Truss, offering our customers prefabricated floor systems, wall frames and roof trusses. In May 2016 we purchased Drysdale Timber & Hardware on Murradoc Road in Drysdale.  The store is under the Home Timber and Hardware banner as an independent.

Barwon Timber, Bar-Truss and Drysdale Timber and Hardware are 100% independent and family owned. Family members are active in the management of all businesses.

Celebrating 40 Years of Barwon Timber

Barwon Timber’s story began in 1980 when Bill Trengrove created Barwon Timber. Since this time, we have remained an independent, family-owned business.

In 2020, we celebrated our 40th birthday. We have put together a short video of our history and our achievements throughout our 40 years of existence.

Learn more

Memberships &
Qualifications

  • Timber Merchants Association (TMA)
  • Victorian Chamber of Commerce
  • Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA)

Awards

2015
Geelong Business Excellence Awards
Manufacturing, Trades and Construction Award

2013
Geelong Business Excellence Awards
Family Business Category – Second Generation or more

Sustainability

…and why it matters to us

We believe that when managed responsibly, timber is one of
the most environmentally sustainable building products available.

  • Where possible, we aim to stock certified timber products that are responsibly harvested.
  • We encourage the use of timber species that are readily renewable.
  • We minimise waste and recycle/reuse all products and equipment where possible.
  • Recycle and re-use all products and equipment where possible.
  • We collect rainwater to wash trucks.
  • We provide water for landscaping, and our plants have been chosen to minimise water use and land erosion. Our landscaping assists in the treatment of water runoff by picking up sediment.

As part of our vision to become a long-term sustainable business, harnessing solar power is a big part of our strategy. Our 30KW solar panel enables us to both save energy and create our own. The energy from the solar system goes directly into running our kilns and lighting our sheds.

When we are not using solar, we use Momentum’s ‘Green energy’, which indirectly uses the energy produced from hydro plants in Tasmania via Basslink.

Employment

At Barwon Timber, we strive to provide our customers with consistently excellent product and industry knowledge and high-quality building products.

Our goal is to attract, develop and retain the best people for the business and the timber and pre-fabrication industry.

We employ people, based not only on critical skills but also who can also fit into our culture, family and team values. Our employees value working for an independent business and contributing to our culture and success.

 

Community & Environmental Contribution

Barwon Timber, Bar-Truss and Drysdale Timber and Hardware support a number of local community groups through donations, fundraising, engagement, time and participation in community events.

Our team values the contribution we make to local community groups and being involved in the selection of who we engage with.

Click here to view some of the community and environmental initiatives we support.