Balau and Keruing: New Hardwood Options for Casual Furniture Retailers from Creative Woodwork International (CWI)
by Anonymous

Minneapolis - January 22, 2003 - Teak remains the main choice for outdoor wood furniture. But, original-growth teak is no longer available. Today’s plantation-grown timber is costly and lacks the strength and character of traditional teak. Casual furniture retailers risk disappointing consumers when they do not enjoy the quality they should expect after buying expensive teak furniture. Is a superior, and affordable, alternative available to retailers? Creative Woodwork International (CWI), a U.S. company that imports beautiful and enduring outdoor wood furniture from Vietnam, brings new options to the market: balau and keruing.

Balau (pronounced buh-LOO) and keruing (CARE-ing) are plentiful in Southeast Asia. "We can manufacture our 50 styles in any sustainably harvested hardwood that retailers choose, such as eucalyptus, but our primary woods today are balau and keruing," says Bernadette Carroll, president, CWI. "These naturally handsome hardwoods are 25 percent more dense than teak, so they are stronger and more durable. And, because of their plentiful supply, CWI’s furniture wholesales for two-thirds less than comparable items in teak."

"Product image, comfort, durability, and price are important considerations for outdoor furniture buyers, and balau and keruing meet all these concerns," says Del Romenesko, managing partner, Delstar Company, Greensboro, N.C., CWI’s representative in the Southeast U.S. "These alternative hardwoods from CWI can help casual furniture retailers increase sales and profits."

Balau has lovely golden highlights, and keruing features a reddish hue. Consumers can maintain the woods’ original tones with periodic applications of tung oil. Or, without treatment, in direct sunlight, balau and keruing gracefully transition to a silvery gray that offers a classic look that is maintenance-free.

"Many buyers who see CWI’s furniture in our showroom comment that the colors of balau and keruing are warmer and richer than teak," says Victoria Winslow, principal, Victoria Winslow & Company, San Francisco, Calif., CWI’s representative in Northern California. "And, they are all impressed with the price advantage of CWI’s product line."

Creative Woodwork International’s manufacturer in Vietnam has been producing beautiful outdoor furniture in balau and keruing for the European, Australian and Asian markets for more than a decade. Their 400 talented, highly trained craftsmen create distinctive outdoor furniture, from start to finish, in a world-class, ISO-9002 certified factory that features modern machinery from Italy and Taiwan.

"Our goal is to offer U.S. retailers an exceptional alternative to meet consumer demand for reasonably priced wood furniture that’s attractive and sturdy," says Carroll. "CWI’s complete line of versatile wood furniture brings character and style to backyards, gardens, patios, and decks. And, it is perfect for transitional areas that integrate indoor and outdoor living in homes today."

About Creative Woodwork International (CWI)

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Creative Woodwork International (CWI) is a privately held U.S. company that imports beautiful and enduring outdoor wood furniture from Vietnam. Our manufacturer skillfully crafts our furniture with strong, sustainable hardwoods. CWI provides retailers with a new, and superior, alternative to meet consumers’ growing demand for high-quality, durable, and affordable wood furniture that brings comfort and style to outdoor living areas. More information on Creative Woodwork International, including a photo catalog featuring our naturally handsome hardwood furniture, is available on the Web at www.creative-woodwork.net.

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Note to Editors: CWI’s Web site, www.creative-woodwork.net, features a complete newsroom and online media kit, including photos of our furniture, a corporate backgrounder, and FAQ’s.

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