Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 23, 2014 News
– Offering international standards for housing demands
As complaints continue to grow over the quality of lumber on the local market, one major Guyanese timber company has announced that it has embarked on an expansion programme that will not only save precious dollars, but will tap into new ways to reduce material costs for house lot owners who are about to build.
With the support of Citizens Bank, the company has already purchased and installed a modern mill and resawing facility, and will shortly start processing logs at their factory.
With lumber a significant component of new homes, Bulkan Timber Works Inc. (BTW) said it has been looking at the local market for some time now and it is clear that the level of service and options for customers are limited. Coupled with the fact that the housing sector has for the most part been left unregulated, lumber yards have largely been getting away with selling wood that has not been dried or machined properly.
The company is contending that if standards by the relevant authorities were enforced, then any two pieces of a tongue and groove (T&G) profiles from two different lumber yards should fit. However, that is not the case now. If wood is not dried to a specific moisture content, relative to the existing humidity where it is placed, there will be movement in the wood after it is installed. That apart, kiln-dried timber will prevent termite infestation, among several other benefits.
The company, located at the Old Glass Factory along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, and east of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, has been exporting over 95% of its processed, kiln-dried, lumber since 1997, tapping into critical markets like the United States and even Japan. But, Guyana’s housing industry has literally exploded in recent years and the family-owned and controlled company has been exploring options for offering some of its products to meet these domestic demands.
NO NAILS?
In addition to the six kiln-drying facilities (all powered from wood waste and requiring no electrical power), at the sprawling facility, BTW is now looking to add another six to increase its drying capacity. The investment will come at a time when most companies, a majority being Asian, with timber concessions, have been exporting logs, and paying little heed to value-added processing. This investment will provide badly needed employment for citizens, the company believes. Once it can negotiate a longer lease arrangement with Government, the company would be prepared to secure long-term financing from the Caribbean Development Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank.
Last week, three of the principals of the company, Justin Bulkan and George Bulkan, along with their Operations Manager, Richie Ramnath, disclosed that they have already built a wooden model home of assorted woods, using even wallaba (which is difficult to machine because of the gum content) for some of the walls.
One of the big sellers that the company will be targeting is its kiln-dried, “end-matched,” lumber (tongue and groove on all sides of the wood that can reduce the use of unsightly nails).
“End-matching will reduce the amount of lumber used in the installation of walls, floors, and ceilings, as you’ll be able to utilize all your ‘short’ lengths, which would presently be discarded. Instead of ordering by lengths, therefore, a potential homeowner or contractor can order by square foot. Rafters and other framing materials could be ordered pre-cut and thus avoiding any wastage.”
Almost all of BTW’s sales have been both intra- and extra-regional, where the quality has to be of the highest standard.
“This is what we will now be offering on the local market, and it does not have to be expensive, when all factors are considered, but, generally in life, you get what you pay for.”
There have been numerous complaints by homeowners that wood utilized for walls and floorings have shifted shortly after installation, which often result in expensive remedial costs.
“This is simply because the lumber has not been dried properly. In addition, what we will be offering is a complete package to customers. The biggest expenditure in any family is usually the building of one’s home, and it is precisely why there are mortgages and long-term investment that allow repayment over 15-30 years. The first thing that must be done by the potential home owner is to explain to an architect, or quantity surveyor, what you have in mind, after which a plan is prepared with a detailed bill of quantities.”
This is paramount for several reasons, but it is especially critical in giving an idea of costs and not being at the ‘whims and fancies’ of the contractor.
IMPORTED WOOD
The company also expressed worry over the fact the wood is being imported back into Guyana, after the practice had stopped in the 1960s.
“Our woods are superior to the imported pine in all aspects. But we have to improve the way we market ours. Importing lumber for us is like ‘carrying coals to Newcastle.’ Despite this notion of globalization and free trade, any Government worth its salt, must encourage and assist their local manufacturers. Manufacturers must be duly recognized and appreciated by shopkeepers. Manufacturers add value, create employment, invest in training and many other spin-off benefits to society.”
The officials were cognizant of the fact that many sawmillers have gone out of business for one reason or the other and this should have never been allowed to happen.
“All industrialized countries try to protect their vital industries that provide numerous benefits to their citizens.”
The company is urging the authorities to seriously review its log export policy, pointing out that a number of companies have been coming in and promising to establish processing facilities, but instead simply exporting logs.
“These trees are not going to grow back in our lifetime, or even our children’s lifetime. We want to change people’s mind about our country’s timber resources. After all, 75% of our land mass is forested. We want to encourage them to build more homes using lumber. It is beautiful. Under the British, we built many schools and homes and buildings and they are still standing. We have to be patriotic about what belongs to us. Homes built with wood are so much more appropriate and cooler for this tropical climate.”
In addition to the kiln-dried lumber, BTW is also offering wooden doors and windows, stair components, decking, rafters, ‘Demerara’ louvred shutters, mouldings, of any shape and size.
“In fact, any wooden component needed for the building of your home. So yes, it is essentially a one-stop shop for all wooden components required for constructing a home and more so that will comply with international standards.”
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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