Only premium plantation grown teak is used for Gloster furniture. While teak trees are not indigenous to Indonesia, climatic conditions on Java are ideal for growing this species of tree. Teak was originally introduced to the islands by Buddhist monks, some 700 years ago. When the Dutch colonised Indonesia in the 19th Century, they soon realized the opportunity to establish large plantations and introduced the sustainable plantation management systems that are still in use today.
Teak is really no different than any other crop, except the growing cycle is far longer - 60 years or more from planting to harvesting. Within the plantations, the trees are continuously cared for by the local population. Over their lifetime, the trees are regularly pruned and the integrity of the plantations carefully maintained. This ultimately results in a better quality of timber - healthier wood, straighter grain and fewer knots: ideal for use in outdoor furniture.
We work continually with the managers of government owned plantations and other interested parties to ensure that everything to do with our use of teak is environmentally correct. We also take great care that all our manufacturing activities follow good environmental practices for the well-being of both our own employees and people of the local communities.
For further information on teak and the Indonesian plantations, refer to our Teak FAQs.