DECKING
When asked about new pricing policy, he added, “ Prices have had to rise but delivery times, in the worst case scenario are now only 2 to 3 weeks as opposed to the 6-8 weeks we endured throughout the pandemic. Logistics have substantially improved.”
Innovation and differentiation from competition remains core to his business and remains robust, with the recent launch of Tikal Tef Gel, an odourless sea water resistant lubricant to add together with a new activator for synthetic teak (PVC). In the latter case and this is important to note, he has to balance the odds because he thinks that the market for traditional teak decking will shrink and synthetic teak PVC, will increase in the future.
TIMBERLUX A company specialised in importing the best quality teak from all over the world, during the past years, has started the importation of JST®. JST® is the result of several years of sourcing, researching and testing that Timberlux srl has conducted in the countries of origin with the aim of offering to the market a valid alternative to Burmese teak, that allows you to operate ethically and legally. It is the highest quality teak best suited for marine use: 100% natural teak - Tectona Grandis - known universally as the “King of Hardwoods”. Thanks to its durability, strength and low weight, it is especially prized amongst boatbuilders and it has become a benchmark to define a fine quality yacht. It has a strong and consistent gold colour, and it does not require chemical or heat treatment to give its characteristics. It is comfortable underfoot in a huge range of temperatures and provides a sure footing on a pitching and rolling deck in either wet or dry conditions. JST® is a sustainable product, traceable and legal, as it comes from plantations well managed from government organisations since 1800. JST® is FLEGT certified and complies with all European regulations (EUTR and UKTR), while FSC® certification can be supplied on request. Rina certification is under the process of being approved. For more details visit
www.timberluxsrl.com
I donned my investigative hat and asked identical questions to key players who have revealed how they fascinatingly operate and continually innovate, from completely different perspectives in the same market place. My findings were intriguing and inevitably diverse.
Stefan Paust, Managing Director of Tikal, experts in teak levelling and bonding but not a supplier of decking, set the scene perfectly when asked how they have fared in the last four years.
“Sure, we were affected by the pandemic suffering several delays from raw materials to getting supplies of label stickers something so basic, that simply held up despatch of our products.”
Meanwhile, Timberlux Srl remains steadfast and a complete advocate of teak. The company offers, it claims, an ethical alternative to Burmese teak because it imports from the best plantations all over the world and confirms that its sources have been fully sustainable and replenishable for two centuries.
Compliant with European and other
international regulations, Timberlux makes the point, by possessing a registered trade mark JST® which is designed to reassure its customer base, that sources are entirely secure, especially where yacht decking, their major market, is concerned.
We’re highly confident about importing teak and we’ve largely unchanged the pricing policy in supplying natural wood
I put my questions to Matteo Rossi, director, for Timberlux, who stated, “Yes we were affected like everyone else. Timberlux and specifically our product JST®. We kept stock levels high and were able to satisfy orders throughout. This has continued post pandemic. But there was a risk in our strategy because there was so much uncertainty in predicting our customers’ needs, especially when trying to anticipate when boat builders restarted production and started buying our decking. Fortunately it paid off as we remained ready when the market required us to be.”
When asked whether any new processes have been implemented, he added, “No new processes were adopted, but long term precision planning have helped a swift recovery.”
And despite everything, pricing policy has not changed either, he added, “We didn’t increase standard prices if the orders were in line with our normal modus operandi. However urgent or special requests could require a premium if it required special
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