Ecotopia Teak

Who We Are?

We are a certified teak reforestation company that manages the process from planting to processing of plantations owned by investors and clients.

What do we do at Ecotopia Teak?

Ecotopia Teak is a certified reforestation company that manages the entire chain, from planting to processing high-quality teak trees, precisely prepared to supply the European market.

Vision

To develop the reforestation, harvesting, and teak export activity by producing the highest quantity with the best possible quality, with fundamental principles of social, environmental, and economic responsibility.

Mission

Ecotopia Teca, S.A. is a family-owned company dedicated to reforestation, harvesting, and exporting wood from commercial plantations. We work under high production standards and with social responsibility to obtain high-quality wood that meets the needs and demands of the national and international markets. We contribute to the economy in local communities.

We are

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Our

principios y valores

The company's activities are in accordance with the customs and traditions of neighboring communities. The company will contribute to their development through the execution of its productive activities, as well as through direct and concrete actions for the benefit of the communities. To coordinate these activities, ECOTOPIA maintains communication with the surrounding villages and directly cooperates in community activities throughout the year.

Competitiveness

Honesty

Teamwork

Responsibility

Quality

How was it created?

FOR ALF VERNER JOHANSSON: Ecotopia Teak was born when our founder, Alf Johansson, was contacted by a group of banks to offer him a group of teak plantations that had been declared bankrupt. As soon as he visited the plantations, he saw the potential of the business but also the lack of knowledge about the economic aspects of forestry at the local level. Together with a group of investors, they raised the necessary capital to create Ecotopia Teak Incorporated in 2005.

ALF MARTIN HERMAN JOHANSSONMartin was born on a forestry estate, giving him an innate knowledge of resource management. A Mechatronics Engineer by profession, when the plantations were acquired, Martin was sent to Darién to take charge of the forestry operations. The first thing he did was to implement maintenance practices similar to those used in Sweden for high-value commercial plantations and proceeded to bring in Swedish forestry experts to train local staff in Swedish working methods. He imported the first forestry machinery for harvesting and worked closely with manufacturers to adapt the equipment for tropical conditions. He designed and constructed the forestry arm for loading containers, which has since been copied by various factories and is used to load 80% of teak containers. Together with his engineers and the MEBOR team in Slovenia, he designed the first tropicalized processing plant in the region for teak and holds records for the most expensive teak containers ever produced in the country, both in logs and FSC 100% sawn teak.

JOSE SAEZ CORRIOSO: He has worked on the plantations since the first owner purchased pastures to be converted into plantations in the 1990s. Trained by Swedish experts in commercial plantation management since 2005, he is currently our plantation manager. As a tangible result of his forestry management, he has developed the best plantations in the country, over 25 years old. Along with his team, he has achieved the highest yield per hectare in the country with the lowest rejection rate and the highest economic return per hectare.

Ecotopia has the first certified wood processing plant.

The objectives of a certified commercial plantation teak processing plant can vary depending on the company's specific vision and strategy, but here are some common objectives that can be expected:

Efficient Processing:

One of the main objectives of a teak processing plant is to carry out efficient processing of teak wood. This involves having appropriate facilities and machinery for cutting, drying, planing, and shaping the wood efficiently and cost-effectively.

Product Quality:

The processing plant should strive to ensure that the final product, whether in the form of boards, beams, or other wood products, meets high-quality standards. This involves using appropriate processing techniques, carefully managing wood drying, and conducting rigorous quality control to ensure that the products meet specified requirements.

Environmental Sustainability:

When working with certified commercial teak plantations, it is important for the processing plant to adhere to principles of environmental sustainability. This may include responsible logging and reforestation practices, waste and emissions minimization, as well as efficient use of natural resources.

Regulatory Compliance:

The processing plant must comply with local, national, and international regulations and laws related to teak wood logging, trade, and processing. This may include obtaining necessary certifications, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and adhering to established industry standards for the timber industry.

Profitability:

Like any business, a teak processing plant aims to be profitable and generate sustainable economic benefits. This involves optimizing production costs, seeking market opportunities, developing strong business relationships, and maintaining adequate operational efficiency.

Innovation and Development:

To remain competitive in the premium teak market, our teak processing plant constantly seeks innovation in terms of processing technology, new product development, and improvement of operational practices and by-product creation. This may involve researching and developing more efficient processing techniques, exploring new uses for teak wood, or adopting sustainable technologies.

What is the purpose of Ecotopia Teak?

The purpose of Ecotopia Teak is to be a certified reforestation company that manages the entire chain from planting to processing teak trees. Its main objective is the sustainable production of teak wood, a valuable natural resource used in the construction and furniture manufacturing industry.

The company aims to promote environmental protection through responsible forestry practices, reducing pressure on the native Panamanian forest by creating dignified jobs around its operational areas. This involves planting teak trees in deforested or degraded areas, thereby contributing to reforestation, carbon sequestration, knowledge transfer, and job creation.

Furthermore, Ecotopia Teak is committed to obtaining certifications that endorse its sustainability commitment, such as the Forest Stewardship Council®.
By managing the entire chain from planting to processing, Ecotopia Teak ensures strict control over all stages of the process. This allows them to guarantee the quality of the teak wood produced and minimize environmental impact.