Why we refuse to use Burmese Teak!
Did you know Burmese Teak is called Burmese Teak because it comes from Burma?
Our competitors want you to believe that Burmese Teak comes from the Region of Burma. From countries neighboring on Burma. But the truth is only India, Thailand, China, Laos, and Bangladesh border on Burma. This region is known as Southeast Asia. And none of these countries have any Teak Stands remaining except Thailand which has banned the harvesting of Teak in order to protect what little resource they have left. China, India and Thailand import all of their Genuine Teak from Burma where they process it into rough lumber and ship it to US Distributors including many of our competitors.
Did you know the direct import of Burmese Teak is banned from the US?
Our competitors state that they do not deal with the Burmese Government but the fact is they couldn't even if they wanted to. It's illegal to directly import Burmese Teak into the US. So the only solution available to them is to purchase Burmese Teak indirectly through neighboring countries.
How does it work? Burmese Teak is harvested in Burma through clear cutting and irresponsible harvesting. This is one of the main reason the US Government banned the import of Burmese Teak. These Teak logs are then transported to neighboring countries such as India, China, and Thailand. These countries mill the logs into lumber and sell it to our competitors. All very legal due to complex international treaties that state if a country performs some processing of materials then the country of origin changes....in this case from Burma to Thailand, India, or China.
Did you know that Burma is one of the worst military regimes in the world.
Since 1962 the Military Junta have controlled Burma with force. Anyone against the Military Dictatorship are often imprisoned or used in forced labor camps. Children and villagers alike are forced at gunpoint to harvest and transport the Teak tree logs. Elephants are often drugged so that they can be more easily controlled and forced to work longer and harder.
Did you know that Burma has gone from over 90% forestation to about 30%?
Our competitors want you to believe that their wood is responsibly harvested. They want you to believe that the Burmese Government plants trees and cuts down only those that are over 20 years of age. However the truth is that Burma clear cuts everything in sight and is simply cutting down their forests to provide finances for the military regime.
Trees are our most important ally in the fight against global warming. After all, they breathe in greenhouse gases and exhale oxygen. And Burma is in the top three countries for destruction of its natural forests. There is no plan or responsible harvesting of the Teak tree in Burma.
Only Malaysian Teak comes from this region and is responsibly harvested
Our Teak comes from only the most reputable of sources. We use only Malaysian Genuine Forest Teak. It is always responsibly harvested and FSC Certified wherever possible. Only trees 25 plus years growth that are high in oil and silica result in the very best grade of Teak available in the world. Malaysia borders on Thailand and is in the region of Southeast Asia.
Did you know that Ipe, African Teak (Iroko), and Brazilian Teak (Cocobolo) are excellent alternatives to Burmese Teak?
All of these woods are now being used by boat builders around the world to replace or co-exist with the more expensive and far less ecological Burmese Teak.
Ipe has been rated by the US Navy as extremely resistant to moisture, bacteria, and insects and is more durable than Teak. Ipe is the material used on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City and has survived decades of abuse. Ipe is the only wood certified by the US Government to be used in ground contact without preservative. Ipe is the same price as our Genuine Forest Teak.
African Teak (Iroko) has near identical properties to Burmese Teak. It is identical in oil and silica content. It darkens over time and turns grey at the same rate as Burmese Teak. And it is resistant to water and bacteria growth just like Burmese Teak. We have shipped out our Genuine Forest Teak and African Teak Shower Mats to many of our larger clients and they cannot tell the difference without referring back to the labels found on the bottom of the items.
All of the above facts can be verified by reviewing the links below.
http://www.ratical.org/ratville/IPEIE/Burma.html Article by Prof. Bruce Johansen, University of Nebraska
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/weblog.pho?id=P135 Article from Amnesty International
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/31/AR2007033101287.html Article from Washington Post shows satellite images of deforestation over a 4 year span.
Join the US Campaign at http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/
What do our customers say?
Thank you for your time and information related to the issues with Burmese Teak. I have reviewed the various links that you sent me and now understand the threat these companies pose to the environment, wildlife, and peoples of Burma (now Myanamar) Knowledge is power and I will never purchase from these companies again. Companies like that should not be allowed to conduct business in the USA. In future I hope to purchase more Teak products from your company.
Vilma Hart,
Lauderdale, Florida