Finnwood takes root on Philippine soil

MANILA, Philippines - Having participated in the recently held Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition or WORLDBEX, the country’s largest building and construction industry exhibition featuring local and international companies,  a group of local Filipino and Finnish construction engineers are ready to answer Filipinos’ demand for top quality sustainable wood products and building solutions. 

Local wood like narra and tanguile, in short supply due to illegal logging and subsequent log bans, are not only expensive but also unsustainable from economic and environmental standpoints to meet the needs of a growing construction industry.

In 2008 the company Arctic-Forest Products, Inc., located in Quezon City was born.  Wood from Finland is a perfect alternative to the regularly used local hardwood because it comes from durable pine trees grown in the arctic conditions of Finland, where the trees used for engineered wood products are cut at 75 years old and then milled and treated to strict European standards.  The most common native tree in Finland, Scots Pine, has already begun to alleviate our tropical country’s challenges when it comes to wood requirements in the construction industry.

Wood from Finland also remains as the strongest wood type that is suitable for wood requirements in the Philippines because of its inherent durability, thus providing the best value for whatever type of wood or lumber requirement. Arctic-Forest Products has provided many solutions in the Philippines to meet commercial, residential, and furniture industry needs, as showcased on their website.  They have branded this imported wood from Finland as finnwood.

What construction professionals and home builders know is that one key aspect in making such a top quality wood product from this type of tree is to let it mature perfectly before it is finally cut down. To achieve the level of quality and durability fit for use, the tree is cut at a minimum of 75 years or even older before the tree is cut down. And to achieve sustainability, 10 more trees are planted to replace a single mature tree that is cut.

“We will be growing,” said Hannu Virtanen, managing director of Arctic-Forest Products Inc. “Our target is to be the number one supplier for wood finishing in this country. We are aiming at this direction. With this strong wood from Finland, we will also be in a good position to advance in our distribution channels as we expand our dealer network.” 

Arctic-Forest Products Inc. is the exclusive Philippine distributor of finnwood, available in Wilcon Home Depots around Metro Manila (Balintawak, Las Piñas City, Filinvest and Libis, QC).

For information, visit www.arcticfp.com.