Humble Beginnings Of Kayu Warisan

The Legacy Of Wood

Kayu Warisan may have humble beginnings, but through their dedication to create unique wood products, they have certainly reached great heights.

Azahari Jamal started his journey with wood and timber in his village, where he first laid eyes on old pieces of wood that seem like scrap material without high value. However, with time, he learned that these pieces of wood are actually of exceptional quality and are actually of sought-after species of timber such as Chengal. While clearing the wood stuck in the river, which resulted in floods, he also learned the beauty of driftwood – wood that has been washed up on the river or lake shores.

Kayu Warisan prides itself as one of the few companies in Malaysia that aspires to elevate the worth of driftwood, and it’s all because of Azahari’s ambitiousness. As someone with no background in the timber industry, he started his company from the ground up, striving to help empower the local economy in his village. Even though he did not have any relationship with the timber industry, Azahari soldiered on and took his dreams seriously. He also dedicates much of his success to the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and the support they have provided. According to Azahari, MTIB has opened many doors and provided any opportunities to Kayu Warisan, helping them become a reputable brand in the industry.

At first, Azahari did not know the nuances of timber and all the various species. But thanks to the courses and seminars provided by MTIB, Azahari came to learn all about the intricacies of working with wood. With his knowledge and expertise, Kayu Warisan is able to keep up with the times and create artistic and unique items with the timeless and everlasting driftwood. With the MTIB courses, trends like epoxy furniture and laser engraving can be achieved, allowing Malaysian companies like Kayu Warisan to match international standards and big names in the industry. They also use excess pieces of timber to create precious giftable items such as an axe or a decorative bird. All these souvenirs come with a tale or story, as it is one of Kayu Warisan’s goal to create products that have meaning.

The word Warisan refers to heritage or legacy, and it’s Azahari’s intention to create products that can be treated as treasures and heirlooms. After all, the material itself was designed to withstand the test of time. For instance, the chengal that Azahari can easily find in his village, which is known to date back to the 1800s, is a species that’s often crowned as the best wood in Malaysia, with it being highly resilient and durable.

“After a period of time, it’s actually the high-quality and resistant wood that remains,” Azahari explains. The same philosophy can be said for timber products – those that can be passed down through generations and still maintain their quality are the best kind of products.

Further continuing the legacy of wood, Kayu Warisan also offers practical courses for the youth. This resource enables them to develop their own craftsmanship and learn how to work with wood, ultimately bolstering the industry as a whole.