This piece is an extract from our Forestry Features newsletter, which is emailed out at 4PM every Wednesday with a round-up of the week's top stories.
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AT nearly 6ft and 110 kg, Des Geraghty doesn't seem like the kind of man who is easily stopped in his tracks. But when the conversation turns to the story behind Timber Croc (which offers a range of log holders for cutting timber), he needs a few moments to compose himself.
"The idea originated back in Ireland and our home town Longford," he says, before pausing to chew on his next words, his voice breaking. "I'm getting a bit emotional here.
"It stemmed from an accident my dad had with a chainsaw. We developed the product and took it to the market. That's how it came about."
READ MORE: Forestry captivates the crowds at the Royal Highland Show 2023
We're speaking on the first day of the Royal Highland Show on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Slightly removed from the forestry section, a smattering of Timber Croc's holders pepper its stand, and a steady stream of punters stop by to see just what it's all about.
As usual at these sort of events timing is key. When FJ approaches, we're met by one customer who excitedly tells us her own Timber Croc is the best purchase she has ever made.
"This is a safety device for cutting timber logs," Timber Croc's MD explains. "It's really an ideal for anybody who uses timber in their wood burners or stoves. Safety is the big thing when we are cutting timber.
"A lot of people hold it on the ground with their foot or have somebody else hold it for them, which is an accident waiting to happen.
"This is a really simple device."
Stopping for a moment, he grabs a log from the floor and pushes it into the device, Timber Croc's Saw Horse. There's barely a hint of movement after a couple of tugs on the timber, such is the strength of the holder's teeth.
"It has this teeth system here, where all the teeth are independent of one another," he says. "They are all set at different heights, and this allows the log holder to adjust to any diameter log.
"Where this log holder outperforms any other log holder on the market is that it holds the really small logs. It grips the logs, really, really well."
Across its range, Timber Croc also offers a Log Cart with a built-in Log Holder, while it has several options that can be attached to tractors.
"It can take any weight you can physically lift," Des continues, before jumping onto the log placed inside the holder. Predictably, it holds firm.
"There's enough room underneath for a cart or wheelbarrow."
Author's note: Apologies to Des and the Timber Croc gang. This interview had been filmed to publish on our social channels, but a microphone issue rendered it unusable.
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