Bamboo Range

THE PRODUCT

T & S have found a bamboo that grows 30 meters in 1 year.

This is a thick, mature bamboo plant that matures after another 2 years. This bamboo grows in only 1 province of the Philippines. Unlike most bamboos, this particular species has little or no hole through it. After cutting it re-grows to maximum height within 1 year.

Generally when 1 shoot is cut 3 or 4 replace it. This bamboo is reckoned to be harder wearing than wood. We can use this bamboo for any kind of product and at this moment we have developed hairbrushes, cosmetic brushes, bathroom and natural products.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW PATENTED IN THE PHILIPPINES AND WE ARE REGISTERED AS THE ONLY PRODUCER. WE HAVE OVER 50 VILLAGES SUPPLYING US AND THE DEPT OF ENVIROMENT HAS NOW OFFERRED US MANY ACRES OF LAND, FREE, TO DEVELOP A BAMBOO PLANTATION, THE FIRST OF IT’S KIND IN THE PHILIPPINES.

There are over 60 million mature trees in the province (DTI Figures) and we have the exclusive license to produce bamboo blocks. We have been issued with a transport and export license. We are authorized to sterilize the bamboo ourselves.

We have built a factory, the first to be built in this particular part of the province. We now have a work force of 19 staff, including a manager and QC person. The company has the full support of the DTI and the Trade development council. IT HAS EMERGED THAT THROUGHOUT THE AREA THE WORKERS ARE KNOWN AS THE BAMBOO BOYS. They are all keen, and willing learners.

THE PROCESS

This is straightforward. The bamboo is cut and collected from farms by lorry. We buy direct from the farms. This is added income to the region. The bamboo is then cut into lengths of 24 inches in most cases. The block is then prepared to customers needs and sterilized, using a salt based compound. It is then passed into a chemical based (non toxic) water based sterilizer for final sterilization.

Mechanical saws cut the correct size blocks. Once the blocks are prepared, they are placed in the natural sunlight to dry. Drying to acceptable levels usually takes 1 week, but we allow 2 weeks to ensure complete dryness. The blocks are tested for moisture content daily, and are controlled in batches so they can be properly monitored.

Products are then shipped by road to Manila, where they are fumigated (Govt. legal requirement). The goods are then shipped by sea to Hong Kong and on to our brush factory.

On arrival at our factory, the blocks are immediately moisture tested as a precaution, and then passed for production.

THE RESULT

We are now capable of producing good quality brushes in various shades to customer’s orders. This is a totally natural product that is fully replacing wood that in today’s age cannot be guaranteed as eco friendly to FSC standards. My investigations have proven that.

We are capable of producing a high quality product. Of course appearance will vary, but then so does that of wood. We have tested the product using Rubber coating, paint, Lacquer spray and natural finishes including wax. NO MATERIAL HAS CAUSED A REACTION TO THE BAMBOO.

We now achieve a high-class finish to our customer requirements. T & S work with QC departments in all our customers, always looking to improve.

THE COST

Costs are similar, and certainly no more, than wood. Exactly how much depends on the brief and style of our customers needs.

THE FUTURE

It is quite apparent that the product has an excellent future, both as a replacement for wood, but also as a stand alone in it’s own right.

The whole process is simple and is now bringing revenue into an otherwise poor district. The plans are to increase the factory and also develop the land offered by forming a workers cooperative, so that all the region is involved.

The mayor and vice mayor of the Manabo district have now confirmed that 275 acres of land will be handed to T & S to grow and develop a Bamboo farmland.

This will create more jobs in the area. The farm will be controlled in accordance with Philippine law, as is the factory. The company will work closely with the mayor’s office, and also the Philippine DNR (Dept. of environment) to ensure that the farm and the workers are all developed properly.

Proper records will be kept of growth, cutting and replacement numbers, shipment quantities and of course, payments to workers.

The company has already received full certification from the DNR, complimenting it on the methods employed when dealing with the current supply chains, i.e. the local farms.

T & S has also worked hard with the local community to help with the improvements to conditions for all the village, not just the employees. The important thing is to generate goodwill, and support to the local community as a whole.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR?

RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS are part of the Philippine communities way of life. Catacdegan (the main village) has never been able to afford a festival.

Now, with the help of T & S management, 2007 saw the first ever Festival. This encompassed all sectors of the village.

• The schools did a pageant, portraying the cultural history of the Philippines. Each grade demonstrating one sector.
• The local Churches all participated.
• The Govt. officials all attended and made speeches as well as participating.
• All the ladies committees took part in various activities, such as singing, dancing and presenting tribal dances of past ages.
• Pre school children performed dance routines.
• A sports day was help for all ages.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

Catacdegan, Manabo has no Internet or telephone link. T & S has donated a computer and printer to the school. The main town, Manabo has an Internet link. T & S have arranged for that link to be extended to the village school, and now the schools in the area can all link together to improve communication for the teachers, and also give the school children access to events in the outside world.

THE HEALTH DEPT. will also benefit from this action. T & S have arranged for that dept to have access to the link up. This will enable all schools and dept health to communicate. It means that more regular check ups can be arranged; it means that local community workers can be contacted more easily and it means that the information flow can be improved.

LOCAL SPORTS AND EXERCISE

T & S sponsor a basketball team for better players, and also youth and young hopefuls. This started 2 years ago. The teams are known as the BAMBOO BOYS and the YOUNG BAMBOOS. The teams are all from the village, and most work for T & S.

In 2007 the senior team won the local championship against teams from the whole district. They were also second on 3 other occasions, so from the four tournaments entered, 1 win and 3 runners up trophies. The village organized 1 tournament, the championship is a county this, and the other 2 were to other provincial areas.

The basketball will continue to grow. All participants must come from within the village.

ATHLETICS

Men, women, boys and girls all participate in a number of activities. A “mini marathon” is a regular feature and now almost 100 people take part. This involves running through a number of outlying villages, and finishing in the village. Sections of ladies (young and old) practice line dancing, or team dancing. This gives good exercise. They regularly give demonstrations to other villages as well.

THE DISTRICT

Manabo is a reasonably poor area. The village of Catacdegan has about 500 people living in the area. The only form of employment until T & S arrived, was rice farming. Income is very low. Since the arrival of T & S the community spirit is constantly rising.

For instance, Mangos grow in abundance but never sold in the past. With the help of T & S a mango farm has emerged. Spraying the crops was important. T & S financed the purchase of the correct medicines, and this year for the first time, Catacdegan mangos were sold to Manila for export. The money for the medicine was returned in full. Enough profit was generated for the farmer to pay for his own for the next crop. 2 x 20 foot containers were sold last year. T & S are now trying to assist in the sale of bananas to Manila. There is an abundance of fruit.

ABRA

The province, is situated in the northern most parts of the Philippines. Banguet is the capital town and that is some 2 hours from Manabo, after using a river ferry crossing. Manabo can be described as a small town, and Catacdegan a very small village.

Climate is general hot, with the stormy season between June and September, when the district is prone to tropical storms and typhoons.