We understand the responsibility involved in making furniture, which is why we are proud to be sustainable in our production methods.
All of the mahogany we use is ethically grown and sourced. Since January 2014, mahogany furniture exported from Indonesia requires certification to prove the wood used in construction comes from approved and legal sources, something we have had in place a long time before this.
The mahogany used in the crafting of our furniture is from the mahogany tree varieties Swietenia macrophylla & Swietenia mahogany, and manufactured on the island of Java in Indonesia.
These varieties of mahogany originated in the South American region and so were never part of the original forests of Java. Java is one of the largest islands in Indonesia and it is from this island, and the town of Jepara, that our furniture is sourced.
Mahogany has a reputation for being a luxury wood for very good reason. It has one of the most distinctive appearances of any wood with its rich, red-brown tones and with hints of flame. Its dense grain and structure make it excellent to cut and carve. Mahogany is exceptionally durable and does not shrink or warp as easily as other hardwoods, and is also resistant to rot and mould. Once stained and finished it produces the most wonderful patina which has been sought after through the ages and still to this day is greatly admired.
For further information about the type of mahogany used click here
Indonesia, when it was controlled by the Dutch, established mahogany plantations throughout Central Java as a commercial crop, and in 1956 the Indonesian government took over these plantations. Farmers now operate these plantations on the basis of a long term cash crop and many rules and regulations are in place to ensure the forests are both sustained and offer an ecological balance for years to come.
Indonesia was one of the first countries to establish rules to be allowed to import timber products into the EU, initially this was voluntary but in 2016 it became law. This means that in order to import timber into the UK our suppliers must provide timber licenses known as FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance & Trade). More information can be found at: http://www.euflegt.efi.int/indonesia
If you have any more questions about AKD Furniture, you are always welcome to get in touch with our family. We will get back to you as soon as possible on any queries with an honest and open approach, even if it’s just to chat about our furniture.
