MH Southern

The Company was founded in 1913 by Matthew Henry Southern. Its role then, as now, was as Timber Importers and Sawmillers, supplying the timber requirements of the Shipbuilding and Shiprepair Yards on the North East Coast and commerce generally in the area. The Office, Timber Yard and Sawmill were established on Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle upon Tyne on a riverside site between two of the Tyne's famous bridges. The Company continued to prosper, under the guidance of the founder, right up to the beginning of World War II. During the war business was reduced as timber was supplied only against licences issued by the Timber Control.