Thomas Russell
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — U.S. importers are not overly concerned about a Malaysian government request that factories limit rubberwood

use, but are keeping an eye on supplies of the Asian hardwood in case they need to shift to other species or source countries.

In mid-April, a Malaysian government minister asked furniture makers to find alternative woods. A Malaysian news agency said the request reflected government concerns that rubberwood harvesting had outpaced replenishment.

Case goods and occasional importer Ligo Products uses rubberwood solids in about half its line, including the superstructure of occasional tables and in dining chair and table legs. Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dan Angus doesn’t see the request having a big impact on his company’s business, because neighboring countries, including Cambodia and Vietnam, have supplies of plantation-grown rubberwood.

Ligo gets some finished product from Malaysia, but also from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, all of which have plantation-grown rubberwood. Angus also noted that such species as mindi wood and Asian fir could be used.

“I think what Malaysia is trying to do is control the destruction of rubberwood plantations,” he said. “They never have had control … because they have allowed rubberwood plantations to be reforested with palm trees (used) for vegetable oils.”

Rubberwood trees also are tapped for use in latex-based materials.

Bob Roy, CEO of casual dining and occasional specialist Jofran Sales, said about 75% of the casual dining the company imports from Malaysia uses rubberwood solids. But Jofran also sources from other Asian countries and could move production there, he said, or switch to other species.

Higher-end case goods companies say they use only a small amount of rubberwood, relying more on birch, oak, poplar and alder.

“We use some rubberwood solids, but it’s not as important a part of our lineup as it was three to four years ago,” said Mike Spece, Hooker’s executive vice president of merchandising and design. He noted that rubberwood works better with painted finishes than natural finishes.

Hammary uses some rubberwood solids in its occasional tables, but none of those finished goods are imported from Malaysia, said President John Labarowski. “I don’t see any major disruption as far as the supply of rubberwood,” he said. “Rubberwood is a fast-growing tree.”

Hekman also uses a small percentage of rubberwood, mostly in dining chairs, said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Neil McKenzie. And with most of that coming from Cambodia, he doesn’t see a rubberwood supply issue on the horizon.

Still, Malaysia remains a major exporter of rubberwood to other Asian countries, including China. Malaysian government officials list it as one of five key woods with high commercial value, adding that it contributed to record timber exports in 2012.

Greg Waylock, marketing director of occasional and accent furniture importer Bailey Street Holding Co., said less than half his company’s product mix uses rubberwood solids. He said his Chinese suppliers have not cited rubberwood shortages from Malaysia as an issue, nor had it resulted in any price increases.

The Malaysian government already has a ban on rubberwood log exports and has placed quotas on rubberwood timber exports.