What Rock Trading & Distribution does

Rock Trading & Distribution (RTD) is a UK-based, privately held engineered wood product manufacturer and building materials distributor operating since 1966. The company designs and manufactures bespoke I-beams, metal web joists, and roof trusses in-house using specialist computerised equipment (Randek saws, Stromab X-cut saw, Uni-roll metal web press, Birch truss press), and distributes a complementary range of construction materials including sheet materials, insulation, roofing, roof windows, and Porotherm clay blocks. RTD holds sole regional distributorship for Porotherm in the South West of England and maintains FSC, PEFC, CE Mark, and EU/UK Timber Regulations certifications. Its customers are builders, contractors, and regional housing developers across the South West corridor from Bristol to Penzance, served through a quote-based, project-driven commercial model with direct field sales, in-house design consultation, and a proprietary fleet of specialist delivery vehicles capable of transporting large roof trusses.

The business operates as a trading brand under Rawle Gammon and Baker Holdings Limited, which is itself part of the Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG). The registered office is in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, while operational and delivery activity is concentrated in the South West. RTD's revenue model is one-time project sales: bespoke engineered wood components are priced per design and project, and distributed building materials are sold per order with no public rate card. Marketing is conducted primarily through the company website, supplier-shared PDF brochures, and case studies, with no social media or paid digital advertising presence. The named customer base is narrow, with Chichester Homes Developments Ltd as the only publicly disclosed case study customer.

Name

Rock Trading & Distribution

Legal name

Rawle Gammon and Baker Holdings Limited

Website

https://rocktrading.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rock Trading & Distribution (RTD) is a UK private manufacturer and distributor of engineered wood products (I-beams, metal web joists, roof trusses) and building materials, serving builders, contractors, and regional developers across South West England since 1966.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineered Wood Products and Building Materials

NAICS

Engineered Wood Member Manufacturing (321215), Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers (423310)

SIC

Millwood, Veneer, Plywood, & Structural Wood Members (2430), Wholesale-Lumber & Other Construction Materials (5030)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineered Wood Product Distribution & Fabrication Services (IMAMACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wood Trusses, I-Joists & Framing Components (IMADADAD), Building Materials & Lumber Distribution (CRAOAFAD)

Keywords

• Engineered wood products
• Building materials distribution
• Roof trusses manufacturing
• I-beams and joists
• Construction material supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Umberleigh Bridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of bespoke I-beams, metal web joists, and roof trusses for construction projects. Products are custom-designed using specialist software and manufactured on site, then delivered using the company's fleet of specialist vehicles.
2. Building Material Distribution: Distribution of high quality building materials including fibre cement cladding, insulation (rigid and rock/glass fibre), roof coverings, sheet materials, membranes, and Porotherm clay blocks. Customers include merchants, contractors, and developers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Rock Trading & Distribution designs and manufactures engineered wood products including I-beams, metal web joists, and roof trusses on site, and distributes a core range of building materials such as sheet materials, insulation, roof coverings, membranes, and Porotherm clay blocks. The company serves builders, contractors, and regional developers across the South West of England with bespoke design, manufacturing, and delivery services.

Product overview

Rock Trading & Distribution (RTD) operates as a building materials supplier and manufacturer offering two distinct product lines: engineered wood products and distribution products. The engineered wood product portfolio includes I-beams, metal web joists, and truss rafters, all designed and manufactured in-house using specialist computerised machinery (Randek saws, Stromab X-cut saw, Uni-roll metal web press, Birch truss press). The distribution arm stocks and distributes construction materials including sheet materials (plywood, chipboard, OSB), Porotherm clay blocks, roofing products, roof windows, insulation (fibre and rigid), membranes, and construction boards. The company serves builders, contractors, and regional developers across the South West region with design services, manufacturing, and delivery capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• I-Beams Structural timber I-beams imported in 13-metre lengths and cut to specification, offering strength, stability, and easy installation for construction projects in residential and commercial builds.
• Truss Rafters Fully engineered, bespoke roof trusses providing a structural frame for roof support, offering flexible and cost-effective solutions for domestic and commercial constructions.
• Metal Web Joists Joists combining TR26 grade timber with high-strength steel webs, designed to reduce construction time while providing robust, lightweight, and stable structural support for floors and roofs.
• Sheet Materials High-quality sheet materials including hardwood and softwood plywood, TG4/Peel Clean/Protect Chipboard, and OSB3, supplied from manufacturers including Egger, International Plywood, and SMARTPLY.
• Porotherm Clay Blocks Clay block walling system with unique interlocking design eliminating the need for mortar on vertical joints, offering fast installation, immense strength, and over 150-year design life. Made with up to 30% recycled materials (MARSS).
• Roof Windows Roof windows providing natural light and ventilation for transformed living spaces, flooding rooms with sunlight and enabling connection to outdoor ambience.
• Construction Materials Wide range of building materials including fibre and rigid insulation, fire protection products, and membranes, distributed to merchants, contractors, and regional developers.
• Roofing Comprehensive range of roofing products including flat-roofing systems, concrete tiles, and natural and man-made slates from suppliers such as Marley Eternit, Redland, and SVK.

Quantifiable outcome

• Porotherm design life exceeding 150 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Wolf Systems: UK manufacturer of roof trusses, metal web joists, and engineered wood products with design software and in-house engineering teams. Direct overlap with RTD's I-beam, truss, and metal web joist offerings.
• James Jones & Sons: UK-based manufacturer of engineered wood products including I-joists and laminated veneer lumber, supplying builders' merchants and developers. Comparable as a UK EWP manufacturer with established distribution channels.
• International Timber: UK distributor of timber, sheet materials, and engineered wood products sourced globally. Comparable as a specialist timber and panel distributor with similar product mix to RTD's distribution arm.
• MiTek Industries: Global supplier of engineered wood connectors, design software, and trussed rafter solutions serving UK truss and joist manufacturers. Comparable as both a supplier to and competitor of regional EWP manufacturers like RTD.
• Pasquill (Saint-Gobain): UK's largest roof truss and engineered wood joist manufacturer, supplying builders and developers across the UK. Directly comparable to RTD's engineered wood product manufacturing arm, with broader geographic reach and part of Saint-Gobain.
• Donaldson Timber Engineering: UK manufacturer and supplier of roof trusses, engineered joists, and timber frame solutions. Direct overlap with RTD's engineered wood product manufacturing and supply model.

Broad incumbents

• Howarth Timber & Building Supplies: National UK builders' merchant stocking timber, sheet materials, engineered wood, insulation, and roofing products. Comparable to RTD's distribution business at broader scale and wider geography.
• Travis Perkins: Largest UK builders' merchant group with branches across the country, supplying lumber, engineered wood, roofing, and construction materials. Comparable as a broad-line building materials distributor competing with RTD's distribution arm.
• Jewson (Saint-Gobain): Major UK builders' merchant offering lumber, engineered wood, insulation, roofing, and construction materials nationwide. Comparable as a multi-category building materials distributor competing with RTD in South West supply.

Others

• Egger (Fritz Egger GmbH & Co. OG): Major European manufacturer of wood-based panels including OSB, chipboard, and timber products. Comparable as a key upstream supplier whose products RTD distributes under the sheet materials category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rock-trading-and-distribution

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rock Trading & Distribution