A COMPANY launching its products next week expects to employ up to 72 people over the next 18 months.

TimberMate specialises in designing and manufacturing timber products for the home and garden, and aims to have an annual turnover of £20m in two years.

The products will be launched at a three-day event to which 1,500 people, including representatives from national and independent retailers, have been invited.

The company, in Whorlton Road, Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, was formed in January by Steve Rhucroft, who has more than 30 years' experience as a joiner, and Steve Gent, a sales and marketing expert, and followed five years of research and test marketing.

The company uses timber from sustainable forests and is one of only 12 UK-based manufacturing firms to have gained membership of the Forestry Stewardship Council, an international organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world's forests.

"We have a responsibility as a manufacturer of timber products to make sure that we replace the trees we are using for the sake of the environment," said Mr Rhucroft. "As members of the FSC we are responsible for trees felled for TimberMate at every stage of production.

"Many leading retailers have a commitment to use companies which are FSC accredited, so we have already captured a niche market and have the potential to attract some major players in the retail market."

As well as being environmentally friendly, the products are designed for ease of use, and could be attractive to disabled and elderly people.

The company received help to start the venture through Business Link Tees Valley's North-East Micro-Loan Fund.

"They provided advice and guidance on financing the business and we hope to be able to use their services further during the future growth of TimberMate," said Mr Gent.

The range of products at the launch will include a redwood door-stop; a hard-wearing garden tool tidy which also helps gardeners get up and down more easily; a joiner's stool, and a folding potting bench at a height to avoid back strain.

"The product range developed following many years working as a joiner, assessing products on the market and understanding how things could be improved or adapted," said Mr Rhucroft.

"I am registered disabled and quickly realised there was a huge market opportunity to assist people with back problems or disabilities as well as the general public."

TimberMate is an equal opportunities employer and employs four staff from the Middlesbrough-based Shaw Trust, provider of training and employment for disabled people, based at Ayresome Industries.

The company intends to employ a further ten by the end of the first year and eventually to employ about 72, working 24-hour shift patterns, by early 2007.

Richard Watts, the access to finance adviser at Business Link who has been working with the firm, said the company had produced a unique range of quality products.

"They are a business of considerable potential in terms of profitability and employment and are an exciting addition to the Tees Valley business community," he said.

TimberMate has also received funding from Middlesbrough Council and West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust business support fund.

The launch is on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.