In a country as devoid of trees as Malta, a timber company may seem like an anomaly.. Not for the M. Demajo Group who saw this dearth as an opportunity; a niche, which, over the years has grown and flourished.
No one could be a better guide to what the company does and the services it provides than its stalwart Sales Executive Alex Sant Fournier.
M. Demajo Timbers is part of the M. Demajo Group which was set up in the early 1970’s. Originally the company started by importing Timber. This importation has remained part of the core operations of the company and some 50% of its business is related to raw timber imports, mainly servicing the carpentry trade.
Ipe is oilier than teak, and much denser too; to the point that it actually sinks in fresh water.
“During these past nine years, we have put substantial effort into leveraging our intimate knowledge of wood to provide Malta with quality parquet, decking and wood flooring which is highly suitable to our climate. We are happy to see these efforts bear fruit,” said Alex Sant Fournier, Sales Executive. He said that over the past two years a further innovation has taken place as the company has started importing artificial turf and awnings. Clearly, the company is targeting the current trend for increased outdoor leisure. “This is a relatively new branch off our company, which we have slowly but surely nurtured to the position it already enjoys today. We do have a very good brand of turf which is the reason why we had felt duty bound to provide it to our country,” said Sant Fournier. He added that the turf is made in Belgium, where the production standards are very high, thus constantly yielding a very good grade product.
COSMOPOLITAN IMPORTS
M. Demajo Timbers strive to import their woods directly from source; Iroko from Africa, Oak from America and so forth. “For decking, outside,” said Sant Fournier “the best would be teak or ipe, which is a Brazilian hardwood. Both are very good woods, but teak, being rarer than ipe, is far more costly than ipe, which is therefore a very practical solution. Ipe is oilier than teak, and much denser too; to the point that it actually sinks in fresh water. Sant Fournier said that “with decking, the most important factor is the professionalism of the installation, and particularly so in terms of its sub-structure.” Again, the issue is one of constant vigilance and supervision which can ensure that the experience and skill of one person is transferred to the younger generation. This is how M. Demajo Timber operates.
THE MALTESE STAPLES
M. Demajo Timbers Ltd offer the furniture manufacture industry a wide range of hardwood and softwoods, stocking over twenty three species of timber, as well as an array of particle boards, medium density fiber boards (MDF), plywood and hardboard in various thicknesses and sizes, both in melamine and veneer face. As an example, American walnut is supplied extensively by M. Demajo Timbers for the making of a wide variety of furniture. Tulip has proved to be very popular for internal doors as it is very easy to spray due to the nature of its vein.
M. Demajo Timbers Ltd offer the furniture manufacture industry a wide range of hardwood and softwoods, stocking over twenty three species of timber, as well as an array of particle boards, medium density fiber boards (MDF), plywood and hardboard in various thicknesses and sizes
Non-solid woods too are very frequently used in furniture- making from the ubiquitous MDF to chipboard, veneered melamine, plywood, and also pine panels. All these woods and more are well stocked by the company and supplied throughout Malta and Gozo.
FLOORED TO PERFECTION
M. Demajo Timber’s stock for flooring relies heavily on good, solid woods. Ipe and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) are top sellers. Their world-renowned laminate parquet is so wonderfully popular, Sant Fournier reckons, because of its impressive quality and durability.
Sant Fournier said that the WPC is similar to a resin. It comes in four different colours and is practically maintenance free. The installation process of the WPC is the same as that for parquet and is installed by the company itself. However, for the DIY buffs, M, Demajo Timbers does not come between the hobbyists and their projects. Sant Fournier said that they can simply come and buy the parquet and lay it themselves. Stocks are not a problem as the company boasts of extensive warehousing.
Stocks are constantly replenished so that no one runs the risk of remaining dry mid-project. “This”, Sant Fournier explained, “applies to both woods and laminate parquet.”
The quality of our workmanship and materials used will ensure long-term durability as well as a beautiful finish
M. Demajo Timbers does not work the wood it imports. “We sell mainly to carpenters. We always stopped ourselves from going into manufacturing since it does not make sense to import timber for carpenters and then compete against them,” said Sant Fournier. He explained that throughout the 9 years he has been working in the Timber section of the Demajo group, he has strived to visit all parquet installation sites.
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN?
M. Demajo Timbers also provides timber steps. In Oak and Iroko, these are both functional and classy, giving the home that warm, lived-in feeling which only wood can impart. Sant Fournier said that the company is also the agent of the renowned Tover, an Italian brand which produces varnishes, glues and everything relating to wood and parquet finishes.
With several options available, it would be wise to listen to the advice of someone like Sant Fournier. In his opinion, oil gives a more natural and rustic feel while varnish gives a shiny vibe. Wax has also been used and this gives a very particular and regal feel to the flooring. The advantages of parquet, said Sant Fournier, include the warmth that the wood imparts as well as the aesthetics which are improved thanks to the wood used.
Quality in the material and the methods and processes we employ in our installations, along with the experience we have amassed over years of such installations is what guarantee our inimitable results
Sant Fournier stressed “M. Demajo Timbers pushes on quality. The quality of our workmanship and materials used will ensure long-term durability as well as a beautiful finish.”
Sant Fournier said that wood flooring adds significantly to the aesthetics and value of the house. “Quality in the material and the methods and processes we employ in our installations, along with the experience we have amassed over years of such installations is what guarantee our inimitable results,” Sant Fournier proudly explained.
AWNING IT
Sant Fournier said that M. Demajo Timbers has recently diversified into awnings. They import a very reputable brand which has excellent products and very strict installation guidelines to ensure the best and safest possible result. Couple this with the artificial turf, of which M. Demajo Timbers imports 13 different styles and one has the makings of a delectable outdoors experience. “There are 9 different lengths and 13 styles, and all maintenance free, including free of the need od disinfectant. Importantly, the yarn is not recycled, so it lasts much longer,” concluded Sant Fournier.
In the time Design & Décor spent talking to Alex Sant Fournier, it became evident that the range of services and opportunities which M. Demajo Timbers offers span way beyond the timber it was originally planned to provide to carpenters. A visit is a must particularly to those who are restoring old houses and plan to use quality materials.
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