A LEADING planting contractor has told of the “very serious challenge” Brexit has presented for his business. 

Laurent Bienfait says Laurent Bienfait Woodlands Services’ (LBWS) workforce has been reduced to less than a third of its original numbers, with many of its staff previously having come from the Continent. 

However, despite these obstacles, the firm has managed to establish itself as a key player in British tree planting, reaching an “historic landmark” of putting 100 million trees in the ground in Scotland.

Laurent said: “Brexit was a very serious challenge for our business, reducing our workforce to less than a third of our original numbers. Most of our 75 staff were from Europe. Many have now relocated. But we continue to operate efficiently with a core of 20, with support from sub-contractors.” 

On the landmark figure, LBWS’s managing director added: “We believe this threshold confirms our position as a market leader, planting significantly more than the rest of our market. I would like to thank the clients who entrusted this mammoth task to us, and our skilled workforce for their professional commitment to fulfilling clients’ expectations over the years.”

LBWS’s clients range from national operators, such as Scottish Woodlands, Tilhill Forestry, and Forestry and Land Scotland, to many privately owned estates throughout Scotland.

Many of those clients have been effusive in their praise of the business. 

Charles Bushby, Scottish Woodlands’ central region director, said: “LBWS has been planting trees for me since the late ’90s and is one of the company’s favoured contractors. 

“Planting of the 100 millionth tree this season is a testament to Laurent’s contribution to the forestry sector and I would hope that he continues to reach other milestones over the next few years.”

Fenning Welstead of Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group added: “It’s 30 years since I first met Laurent [and his] efforts have become ubiquitous across Scotland’s forests.” 

Laurent added: “Our planting has included some substantial woodland projects, creating valuable commercial woodland and rewilding some environmentally critical projects.”