THE PUNCH PEOPLE
Meet Guillaume Carnevale:
Visionary behind Kaltimber
Kaltimber is a company based in Bali that specializes in reclaimed wood products, such as decking, flooring, ceilings, duckboards, paneling, countertops, as well as unique furniture and homewares crafted from offcuts. The company’s mission is to bring nature into homes while also contributing to the preservation of forests.
COMMITMENT 1
Sustainable Management
By documenting and implementing a clear sustainability plan, Kaltimber is demonstrating their commitment to the environment and their communities.
COMMITMENT 2
Cultural Interaction & Heritage
By incorporating authentic elements of traditional culture in their operations, Kaltimber is committed to celebrating and preserving Bali’s local cultural heritage.
COMMITMENT 3
Sustainable & Local Sourcing
By giving priority to sustainable, local, Fairtrade, organic and/ or recycled produce, Kaltimber is emitting less carbon emissions while celebrating the local economy.
COMMITMENT 4
Equal & Local Employment
By giving equal opportunities to local residents including management positions, Kaltimber is promoting diversity and elevating employees engagement.
COMMITMENT 5
No Single Use Plastic
By not using single use plastics, Kaltimber minimizing by millions the amount of plastic ending up in the streets, in the rivers and in the ocean.Â
COMMITMENT 6
Sustainable Packaging
By using sustainable, natural, recycled and/or biodegradable packaging, Kaltimber is significantly reducing their environmental impact.
COMMITMENT 7
Biodiversity Conservation
By actively supporting, protecting, and promoting biodiversity, Kaltimber is contributing to ecosystem productivity and improving the life support system for our planet.Â
COMMITMENT 8
Community Support
By supporting their local community through various ways, Kaltimber is offering jobs, providing goods, services, and financial support to their community.
COMMITMENT 9
Consumer Awareness
By providing accurate and transparent communication regarding the company’s sustainable practices and goals, Kaltimber is helping guests make better purchase decisions.
"Opting for reclaimed wood helps reduce the demand for fresh timber, thereby contributing to the preservation of vital ecosystems."
WHAT IS YOUR STORY AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND KALTIMBER?
“Kaltimber was founded by a husband-and-wife couple who shared a passion for the environment and a desire to create something unique and sustainable. The founders of Kaltimber were inspired by the beauty of reclaimed wood and the concept of breathing new life into materials that would otherwise be discarded, all while aiding in the effort to relieve pressure on Indonesian forests by reducing the need to cut down new trees.”
KALTIMBER IS RENOWNED FOR ITS PRACTICE OF RECLAIMING AND RECYCLING IRONWOOD STRUCTURES. COULD YOU PLEASE ELABORATE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF USING RECYCLED TIMBER INSTEAD OF NEWLY SOURCED MATERIALS?
“Using recycled timber offers numerous environmental advantages compared to newly sourced materials. Opting for reclaimed wood helps reduce the demand for fresh timber, thereby contributing to the preservation of vital ecosystems. The conventional process of harvesting, processing, and transporting new wood can result in a substantial carbon footprint. In contrast, reclaimed wood requires significantly fewer resources and leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions. In essence, it leads to reduced deforestation and less pollution.”
"We ensure that our suppliers remain informed and trained to meet our standards, conducting at least an annual visit and on-site performance audits."
WHAT CRITERIA DO YOU USE WHEN SELECTED DISUSED BOATS, BRIDGES, OR WAREHOUSES FOR THE TIMBER YOU TRANSFORM INTO PRODUCTS?
“We collaborate with experienced suppliers in East Kalimantan, some of whom are actively engaged with the forest ministry, to identify and source reclaimed wood from various locations. We always verify the age of the wood to prevent engaging in practices related to the reclaiming of Ulin timber. Additionally, we ensure that our suppliers remain informed and trained to meet our standards, conducting at least an annual visit and on-site performance audits.”
COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF TURNING THESE RECLAIMED MATERIALS INTO BEAUTIFUL SOLID TIMBER PRODUCTS LIKE DECKING, FLOORING, AND PANELING?
“The process of transforming reclaimed materials into exquisite, solid timber products involves several steps. First, the materials are reclaimed in East Kalimantan. Once the wood is dismantled and sorted, it is loaded onto a truck and inspected by an agent of the Forest Ministry to determine its legal origin. Upon reaching Bali, we meticulously remove nails, clean, and treat the wood to meet our uncompromising standards of quality and durability. The wood then undergoes various machining processes, including double planing and radial sawing, set at different configurations depending on the desired end result. Finally, our skilled artisans craft the planks into stunning decking and flooring products using a blend of traditional and updated techniques, such as hand gluing and sanding.”
KALTIMBER NOT ONLY PROVIDES FLOORING, BUT ALSO UNIQUE FURNITURE AND HOMEWARES FROM OFFCUTS. WHAT MAKES THESE PIECES SPECIAL AND DISTINCTIVE?
“Our furniture and homewares are skillfully crafted from reclaimed wood offcuts that might otherwise go to waste. The company’s collection features a variety of items, such as plates, boards, coasters, frames, and more, suitable for both commercial and residential use. Each piece is unique, bearing its own distinct history and character. While our furniture production may not be extensive, we maintain a robust partnership in the homeware sector with I-Rewood.”
YOUR BRAND PLACES A STRONG EMPHASIS ON PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THE TIMBER. HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT EACH PIECE CARRIES ITS OWN STORY?
“The company firmly believes that every piece of wood has a unique story to tell and deserves a second chance to shine. We are well-acquainted with the origin of each piece we work with and are always delighted to share that information with our curious customers. We are dedicated to achieving the highest possible wood utilization for each final product, achieved through the careful selection of planks for specific purposes.”
CAN YOU SHARE SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE CRAFTSMANSHIP BEHIND THE TRANSFORMATION OF RECLAIMED TIMBER INTO HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS AT KALTIMBER?
“We employ traditional techniques that have been adapted to handle the volume we produce. We consistently provide training to our team to ensure they remain at the forefront of their skills. Our production process includes stringent quality control at every stage, culminating in a final inspection before shipment. The additional, more confidential insights that have contributed to Kaltimber’s success may remain undisclosed for now.”
HOW DO YOU SEE KALTIMBER CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN THE FUTURE?
“Kaltimber is committed to advancing sustainable and eco-friendly construction practices in the future by providing wood product solutions that accommodate the needs and budgets of all clients, regardless of their project’s scale. The company also takes the initiative to replant 50 ironwood trees for every 950 sqm sold, as part of its unwavering commitment to sustainability. We aspire to witness changes in the regulations pertaining to the classification of new or reclaimed ulin wood, along with the establishment of a permanent ban on rendaman (fake reclaimed wood).”
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED IN THE JOURNEY OF ESTABLISHING KALTIMBER, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
“One of the challenges Kaltimber faced in establishing itself was finding reliable sources of reclaimed wood that met its high standards for quality and sustainability. To address this challenge, the company collaborated with experienced teams to identify and source reclaimed wood from various locations around Kalimantan. We also encountered difficulties in finding skilled carpenters, which led us to implement a permanent training system with experienced carpenters mentoring new recruits in ongoing training.
Another challenge was the acquisition of machinery. Woodworking equipment can be quite costly, and traditional machinery tends to wear out quickly when processing ironwood.
Lastly, building brand awareness and recognition was a challenge. To overcome this, we invested more in marketing and collaborations to ensure that everyone knows who we are and the benefits of using our more affordable yet better-finished products compared to the competition.”
WHAT SETS KALTIMBER APART FROM OTHER TIMBER MERCHANTS AND FLOORING SHOPS IN THE MARKET, AND WHAT DO YOU ENVISION FOR THE BRAND’S FUTURE?
” What sets Kaltimber apart from other timber merchants is its commitment to sustainability. The company firmly believes that each piece of wood has a unique story to tell and deserves a second chance. We are dedicated to meeting the needs and budgets of every client, regardless of their scale. Our brand pillars are Sustainability, Competence, and Fairness. We are highly specialized and do not engage in the production of houses on Monday, tables on Tuesday, flooring on Wednesday, and so forth.”
WHAT SETS KALTIMBER APART FROM OTHER TIMBER MERCHANTS AND FLOORING SHOPS IN THE MARKET, AND WHAT DO YOU ENVISION FOR THE BRAND’S FUTURE?
“What distinguishes Kaltimber from other timber merchants is its unwavering commitment to sustainability. The company firmly believes that each piece of wood has a unique story to tell and deserves a second chance. We are devoted to accommodating the requirements and budgets of all clients, regardless of their project’s scale. Our brand pillars are Sustainability, Competence, and Fairness. We specialize in our field and do not follow a production schedule of houses on Monday, tables on Tuesday, flooring on Wednesday, and so forth.”