Malaysian timber company Leweko Resources Bhd is planning to export more laminated products rather than logs to boost margins.
The Perak-based company has received repeat orders for the product after initial trial sales to Belgium and Australia for M$3,600/m3. It has also just sent a sample to Germany.
Leweko has been working with three other firms since 2003 as part of a government-funded project to develop and export high grade laminated scantlings from less valuable species.
The Malaysian Wood Industries Association is leading the project, together with Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Malaysian Timber Industry Board and a Malaysian Timber Council-led technical working group.
Leweko believes it could be marketing the product with a 10-year warranty for M$4,400/m3 by the third quarter, if German business comes on stream.
