We may have a modern outlook and approach that suits all customers, but our company is steeped in tradition and experience. Originally, William Hall started up as a timber merchant in Hambledon but moved half a mile up the road two years later. At the same time, John F Goodwillie was establishing his business as a cooper, barrel maker and general timber merchant, at St Mathew Wharf in Gosport. He died in 1896 when the business was incorporated by his widow. The two companies were purchased by Fred Baker, the grandfather of the present owners in the 1930s. The two companies were run in tandem - with Halls specialising in "Home-Grown" English timber and Goodwillie's in imported lumber. J F Goodwillie Ltd have traded at the site, surviving two fires and two world wars ever since! Despite the efforts of Hitler's bombers to put us out of business (which failed miserably) the two companies survived the war. It was then that our large Waterlooville crane, such a landmark for miles around, was built. Goodwillie's rapidly outgrew its Gosport site and moved to Waterlooville, where they absorbed their sister company Halls. From here we have continued to import lumber and sheet materials and manufacture timber mouldings.
