Macclesfield has always been well-known for its industrial heritage, and in places such as Illingworth Ingham, the pulse of that local industry continues unabated.

This part of the Pennines might be famous for its silk, but at Illingworth Ingham the trade is in quality timber; sourced from across the globe to be machined, moulded, and sold by experts and enthusiasts at their Windmill Street site.

Illingworth Ingham is a family-run timber company founded in 1929, with branches across the North West. Whilst there are numerous branches across the region which fall under the Illingworth Ingham umbrella, each has an independent feel, combining the 'prestige' of a well-known name with the distinct character and heritage of their respective areas.

The east Macclesfield site was co-founded four years ago by Lisa Graveley, whose dad and brother also work with Illingworth Ingham. Lisa has been in the timber industry for almost her whole working life, having learned the trade in Manchester.

The timber wholesale and merchant can be contacted on 01625 422824. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

What, then, sets Illingworth Ingham Macclesfield apart?

As Lisa explains: "We try to be different to the nationals in that we can have a more personal approach to things."

This much is clear in how Lisa got the site up and running four years ago. "When we started here in Macc, I did a lot of cold calling to build relationships," she explained. "It was a big challenge here, as we were opening a site with no customers."

It wasn't long, though, before the site had a strong customer base. This is in large part down to the personal approach which the company takes.

"The thing for us is that this is a relationship and not just a customer", Lisa explains.

"Macc is a real community [...]. Everyone knows everyone. As soon as you do something right for one person, you get people talking about it, which is what you want."

As well as two sites in Macclesfield, they also have premises in Hyde, Stockport and Trafford. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Loyal customers also has a lot to do with timber quality - so much so that customers will come from outside Macclesfield, reluctant to entertain the idea of going anywhere else.

This is in large part down to the expertise of the team at Macclesfield, which currently consists of twelve employees. Pooling decades of experience between them, the team can identify dimensions and wood types by eye within a split second, and can offer advice on projects, materials, and much more.

And you're never far away from Illingworth Ingham handiwork. Whether it's restoration work at Lyme Park, or the beautifully ornate and intricate interior of an east-Asian restaurant, both the team and the customers have been involved in a huge range of projects, from gadgets to building design.

They are open to the trade and public. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

The family character of Illingworth Ingham also goes a long way.

The company is certainly proud of its family-run credentials, and rightfully so; as one PricewaterhouseCooper study reported, businesses with "a clear set of family values and an agreed purpose" were 75% more likely to experience double-digit growth in a given financial year.

Speaking of her dad's role in the business, Lisa said: "As a child, I used to think 'what is this crazy business that demands so much of my dad's time?'

"I have always said to him I would give it a go, but I never thought I would be here now. But I have enjoyed it from the start - I get to work with my dad and my brother, it is great. Life is work as well."

10% of their staff work at their east Macclesfield site. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Lisa had this advice for those who are working in a family business: "It is hard," she confessed.

"But the rewards definitely outweigh the challenge. I would say don't let it overtake your whole family dynamic.

"You can be sat with your family at dinner and all you talk about is work, and that is not great. But use that time together, focus on the good stuff and plan what you want to achieve."

If you are, then, thinking of redoing some of that skirting board, if the garage roof needs a bit of an overhaul, or if you have another grand project in mind - Illingworth Ingham Macclesfield is the place to start.

You also can follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Illingworth Ingham are a sponsor of Macclesfield Nub News.

Got a business in Macclesfield? Why not promote it for FREE on our business directory.