5 Places to Buy Ekki Timber Mats in the UK

Ekki timber mats have become a staple on UK construction sites, and for good reason. Made from one of the densest hardwoods on the planet, they offer a level of strength and longevity that most other ground protection options simply can't match. Whether you're managing a long-term infrastructure project or need temporary access across boggy ground, knowing where to source quality ekki mats quickly makes a real difference. Here are five of the best UK suppliers worth considering.

1. Timbermat

Timbermat has built a strong reputation as one of the UK's leading bog mat specialists, with an extensive hire fleet and depots in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Their ekki mats carry a Class 1 durability rating and D70 strength classification, and they come fitted with steel-reinforced lifting points for easier handling on site. All timber is sustainably sourced and FSC certified, which is increasingly important for contractors working under environmental commitments. Next-day delivery is available across most of the UK.

2. Birketts Bog Mats

With more than 40 years in the industry and a track record spanning over 10,000 UK worksites, Birketts Bog Mats is one of the most established names in the sector. They operate from depots in Warwickshire and Kent, making them well-placed for both Midlands and southern projects. Their ekki mats are available in a range of sizes and thicknesses and are suitable for everything from temporary access roads to heavy crane platforms. If you're looking to buy ekki timber mats in the UK, Birketts offer both purchase and flexible hire options with competitive rates and next-day delivery.

3. HERMEQ

HERMEQ is a broad-ranging plant and equipment hire company that includes ekki and European hardwood bog mats as part of its construction hire offering. They cater to groundworks, scaffolding, and traffic management sectors, making them a useful single-source option for contractors who need ground protection alongside other site equipment. Made-to-order sizes are available, and their standard range covers the most common mat dimensions used on UK sites.

4. Road Plate Hire

Road Plate Hire, a division of Southdown Engineers Ltd based in West Sussex, offers ekki mats alongside their core road plate and temporary roadway products. Their mats are through-bolted with high-tensile steel and provide good traction and anti-skid performance, making them well-suited to sites where vehicle access over sensitive ground is a concern. They also cover less typical use cases like tree root protection and unmade ground such as playing fields.

5. Marwood Group

Marwood Group is a long-established non-mechanical plant hire company offering ekki mats manufactured using D70 class strength timbers. They provide guidance on quantities based on vehicle weight limits and ground conditions, and free site visits can be arranged for projects where a professional assessment of the ground is needed before ordering. It's a useful option for contractors tackling more complex access challenges.

What to Look for When Buying Ekki Mats

Before committing to a supplier, it's worth checking a few key things. First, confirm the timber specification, genuine ekki should be Class 1 durability rated and ideally D70 strength classified. Second, check whether the mats are sustainably sourced; FSC certification is the clearest signal here. Third, think about logistics: next-day delivery from a nearby depot can matter a great deal when a project is time-sensitive. Finally, consider whether you need to buy outright or whether hire makes more sense for a shorter-term job. Most reputable suppliers offer both, and the cost difference over a two-week project can be significant.

Ekki timber mats are a serious investment, but they're also one of the most reliable pieces of ground protection equipment available. Getting them from the right source makes the whole process considerably easier.