Our History

Scotts was the brainchild of James Scott, an entrepreneurial fortune hunter returning home to Thrapston following the Canadian Gold Rush at the turn of the twentieth century. James employed skilled cabinet makers who had been supporting the war effort making wheelbarrows, ladders and chicken coops during the First World War. They started creating the first range of Scotts timber products.

At the onset of the Second World War, the skills of Scotts’ workers were in huge demand again. About the same time, Scotts’ association with timber summerhouses began as they became the fashionable garden accessory for British gentry. James’ son, Douglas, also joined the business at this time and had ambition to make a name for Scotts within the poultry industry.

Fast forward 20 years or so, and the business changed again. Scott’s founder passed away in 1962, and just a year before, David Scott, the current chairman, joined the family business. David was keen to keep the family’s principles and drive alive while at the same time moving the business to a more modern and commercial approach. This moulded Scotts into the company that it is today.

The joinery division was established in 1972 and a roof trusses division in 1976, the year Douglas retired.

From the purpose-built factory, Douglas’ last project before retirement, David took the helm. He created advertising campaigns, developed a sales network across the UK and overseas and launched new products for the equestrian market. In the early days David worked in the factory making the products as well as helping to install them on site, acquiring a real understanding of Scotts’ customers. David’s passion for the business drove the expansion of the Scotts range of summerhouses, forming relationships with organisations such as The National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society.

In 2000, David’s son, James, named after the company’s founder, joined the business. He is now managing director. James is driving the business with his exceptional senior management team, maintaining the culture and values of a long-established brand while also bringing new and innovative ideas to benefit a fast-growing customer base.

2020 will be remembered for many things, but for Scotts it was also a year of celebration as it marked 100 years of business. The company has survived through a world war, multiple recessions, uncertainties surrounding Brexit and now a global pandemic. More than 100 years since a globetrotting entrepreneur first founded the business, Scotts continues to be admired for its craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail. We look forward to what the next 100 years will bring…