FG Hawkes (Western) Ltd was established in 1987 as general builders’ merchants. Based in Neath and Glynneath, this Welsh-owned company soon established itself as a specialist importer and distributor of timber products for the construction industry. FG Hawkes distributes on a national basis and currently supplies a number of the major UK builders and merchants. The company has since relocated to Swansea Docks where it has played a significant role in regenerating the Docks for commercial purposes, particularly as the majority of the company’s imports are delivered by ship directly to Swansea. In addition, the nature of the company’s activities and warehousing requirements has been such that it has been labelled as a ‘flagship’ in attracting other commercial ventures to the area. The company also has depots in Leeds and Misley, in Essex to enhance and improve its current service to clients. The firm has succeeded in creating a successful import business, creating employment directly and indirectly within the Docks. The company also attributes its success to its client service philosophy that aims to continually meet and exceed client deadlines and expectations. The owner-management team at FG Hawkes intend to continue to expand the company’s existing product range, despite previous challenges in having to manage rapid and sustained growth, and look for other import opportunities which may exist in the building product sector to fuel future growth.