Crown Timber is to quit Montrose harbour after 10 years and bring its business 30 miles down the road to Dundee.

Crown has used its quayside terminal at Montrose to supply a national network of manufacturers of timber-framed houses and roof trusses, with a substantial quantity of the imported wood treated to order on the site.

The company’s focus is on a ‘just in time’ delivery service and it operates from five terminals, with Montrose the only one in Scotland.

The firm’s annual import of around 120,000 cubic metres of Scandinavian timber represents about 24 shipments, which will be transferred to Dundee where treatment plant dismantled at Montrose will be relocated.

Company director Stewart McIntyre, speaking from its headquarters in Cirencester, said the contract with Montrose Port Authority had been up for renegotiation.

“We were not able to do that.

“We spoke to Dundee in the mid-90s but at that time Montrose were keenest.

“This time we were impressed from what he heard said at Dundee and we are delighted to have reached an agreement with them.

“We have built up our business in the past 10 years and are disappointed to leave Montrose but delighted with the Dundee agreement.”

Montrose Port Authority chief executive Captain Harry Johansen confirmed the Crown equipment will be relocated in Dundee.

The loss of the business to Dundee harbour will prompt a review of staff levels at Montrose, although the port authority is confident of finding an alternative revenue source.