Starwood is dedicatedly involved in manufacturing Teak plywood since last 25 years and specializing in it this species with innovation and regular R&D. From the ‘Teak’ sawing to veneering they are fully integrated with their own back support. They exports to seventeen countries including EU, USA, Canada, Taiwan etc maintaining the quality dimension to their specific requirements and uses. The Ply Reporter presents the excerpts of the conversation with Mr. Ashish Agarwal – Director of Starwood Veneers and Lumbers.
Our stringent work policies and adherence to best policies also help in making the most of our time and resources further helping to keep the overheads in check. The strategically located manufacturing facilities, which are conducive to quick, and hassle free shipping worldwide also helps in quick turn round time thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
What is the core business of Starwood?
Since 1997, Starwood has been carving a niche in the industry as the leading exporters of ethically sourced Burmese teak veneers and Lumbers. We currently supply to over 17 countries spanning USA, Canada, Australia, Asia, Europe and Persian Gulf.
Tell us about your manufacturing facilities.
Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are strategically located in India. The first one is Sampla, Haryana, just 40km from the National Capital, New Delhi and helps empower and enhance our production efficiency. The second plant is situated in Gandhidham, Gujarat, just 28km away from the Kandla Port and enables the direct worldwide shipping of our products. Our new Burma Teak Unit located in Yangon city gives us access to the best timber available in Burma. Products like Gurjan face veneer, Gurjan core veneer, teak veneer, teak sawn lumber are manufactured here using best in class machinery & infrastructure.
What is the profile of your customers you cater to?
Yacht manufacturing companies, teak flooring and teak panels manufacturing companies are our biggest customers. We also supply our products to a large number of suppliers and retail brands.
You are an established brand, does that make you expensive?
In a raw material supply industry no one can be expensive. Competitive pricing is the only way to sustain and retain the clients. To keep this competitive edge, we make sure that we focus on wastage reduction and make every fiber and grain of wood count, literally. Our stringent work policies and adherence to best policies also help in making the most of our time and resources further helping to keep the overheads in check.
What would you consider your biggest strength?
The authenticity and superior quality of our products, which are sourced directly from Myanmar, is our biggest strength. To add to this, our own Teak unit present in Burma ensures impeccable quality control, unparalleled supply chain and best practices to be implemented across our product range. Our strategically located manufacturing facilities, which are conducive to quick, and hassle free shipping worldwide also helps in quick turn round time thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
Our new Burma Teak Unit located in Yangon city gives us access to the best timber available in Burma. Products like Gurjan face veneer, Gurjan core veneer, teak veneer, teak sawn lumber are manufactured here using best in class machinery & infrastructure.
What would you say is the big value proposition Starwood has to offer?
Starwood has always strived to innovate and introduce new trends in the market. Right from Crown Teak, Rough Cut, Crotches, we are continuously innovating for our customers. Starwood leaves no stone unturned for a sustainable and inclusive growth of the industry.
Why did you focus on Teak?
The demand for teak is universal and almost unlimited. Teak enjoys a global reputation. It is an attractive timber which is durable, easy to work, termite resistant, neither light nor heavy in weight and proven to be suitable for every conceivable form of end use. Teak wood lasts for hundreds of years and is considered ideal for ship building and construction. The market is huge and ever growing. With a strong foothold in the industry, technical knowhow and manufacturing process, we felt it was wise to be in a business on which we had an upper hand.
What would you consider your most sought after products?
Although all our products are very popular, successful and much in demand, but our newly introduced Gurjan Face veneer and crotch veneer has received an outstanding response from the end consumers as well as the timber industry.
Although all our products are very popular, successful and much in demand, but our newly introduced Gurjan Face veneer and crotch veneer has received an outstanding response from the end consumers as well as the timber industry
Starwood enjoys a distinct place in the industry. What helped you achieve it in such a short time?
If you do not succeed you learn, if you don’t try, you fail. From the very beginning, we put a lot of emphasis on quality rather than quantity. After the first few happy clients, we soon grew our network owing to word of mouth publicity as well as the positive sentiment generated in the industry by virtue of our great products and an efficient time and supply management. The good feedback and response from our clients became the driving force and encouraged us to improve and with that we gradually made our presence felt in the export market. We always have and continue to believe in doing everything right rather than just doing it!
What can we expect from Starwood in the near future?
Looking at the expanding demand for Burma Teak, it may not be too presumptuous to state that our focus will be on production of high quality teak products and conversions in order to meet buyer's specifications precisely, and to make supply available, as and when required We will also continue to work on technology to maximize production and minimize wastage of such a valuable timber. Development of better logistics, prompt shipment and accurate grading for the satisfaction of the buyers will continue to be our top priority.