Panel Perspectives: Hok Lai Plywood | 37
Above: The Hok Lai plywood factory in Malaysia By coating panels with a protective finish
and having different finishing options – melamine and film faced for example, Hok Lai is removing the processes customers have to do to prepare the product for use. The Hexa film-faced product comes in dark
brown and black finishes and the applications include truck bed/wall linings. In addition to the Birch Replacement product, Hok Lai has numerous product options including melamine plywood in bich/ oak/beech, MR interior plywood forlaser cutting, BS1088 marine plywood, pine faced plywood, white birch faced plywood and white poplar plywood. Products shown in the Tilbury showcase were 9mm-18mm thick. Certifications/standards met include CE2+,
CARB P2 EPA, TSCA and PEFC. The management has adopted new
technology to increase production volume as well as bring profit and recognition in the wood industry. The full rubberwood plywood is priced as more cost-effective than full birch plywood. “We come at the market with a lot of
education about plywood,” said Mr Per Chin Poh.
“Sometimes buyers on the market can pay a lot for products that are not suitable. We get to know the customers and give them a solution to solve their problems. We can really follow the customer, depending on what they want.” The Hok Lai factory currently has a production output of 3,000-4,000m3 per month but investment plans within the next two years will increase this to 10,000-14,000m3
monthly. Value-adding
and automation will be features of the investment.
Hok Lai uses traditional machinery suppliers and Chinese technology/machinery partners for its equipment. Hardwood plywood wood veneer species used includes meranti, jelutong, keruing and mersawa species. Certainly, the Malaysian plywood sector is
keen to promote its competitive edge with its rubberwood plywood at a time when demand for sustainable and cost-effective materials is increasing. It also believes
stability in the country insulates it from geo- political problems and anti-dumping duties potentially impacting other countries. Malaysian government policies and support for its timber sector is further boosting the plywood industry, boosting R&D, skills training and infrastructure. In conclusion, Malaysia says its advantages in rubberwood plywood production are poised to grow in the coming years due to favourable trade dynamics, supportive government policies, strategic location, and active engagement in international forums. Buyers diversifying their plywood sourcing can improve supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on specific regions for raw materials, mitigating risks associated with disruptions in birch plywood supply, In short, the Malaysian plywood sector
believes rubberwood plywood can penetrate new markets or segments where price sensitivity is high without compromising quality. The Hok Lai range of products is available through London-based Plaut International Limited. ●
Above left: PEFC-certified rubberwood core plywood is an alternative to Russian birch plywood Above right: Malaysian rubberwood plantation
www.wbpionline.com | April/May 2024 | WBPI
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