As a setup, Tong Sim Industries Sdn Bhd is a mid-sized company with about 50 full-time employees. In terms of age, it is relatively young, having been established in the mid-2000s. When it comes to quality control and technical knowhow especially in wood preservation and treatment, this Selangor-based manufacturer is a tough act to follow.

Says Dr. Clarence Tan, its Technical Director: “Tong Sim specialises in various types of wood protection solutions with each solution catering for specific field of application. Our wood protection solutions not only enhance the wood’s durability but also preserve the natural beauty and strength of the timber even under exposure to outdoor environment.

Since our incorporation in 2005, Tong Sim has established itself as one of the most reliable names in the manufacture and supply of wood products such as sawntimber, decking, railway sleepers and crossarms for overhead power lines.

We highly value innovativeness and creativity. We continuously seek to improve our production process, inventories management and delivery system. Utilising our expertise in timber and wood products, we ensure our products can always meet the highest expectations of our customers.”

Stressing on the production of its decking products as an example, Dr. Tan, who has 26 years of expertise in the wood preservation industry, elaborates: “Quality control is critical to ensure that our decking meets our grading, milling, kiln drying requirements, and most importantly, our timber treatment and preservation standards.

Solid hardwood decking is the best possible choice for exterior decking. Not only is it more beautiful and more stable than composites, tropical hardwood decking is naturally durable. We specialize in working with some of the finest woods from the Asian tropical rainforest such as Balau, Keranji, Merbau, Kekatong, Apitong, and Kapur.”

Detailing Tong Sim’s timber decking solution, which is marketed under the brand name “GreenDec”, Dr. Tan says: “GreenDec is our new benchmark in premium quality decking. Made of solid natural hardwood and enhanced by our preservative treatment, GreenDec offers longer lasting protection against fungal decay and termites attack.

Preserved wood resists damage from termites and fungal decay for decades. It offers structural strength and ability to withstand deterioration in ground contact with the ground is more susceptible to termite and rot damage than wood which remains above ground. Wood immersed in seawater has even greater vulnerability.

As such, pressure-treatment provides long-term protection against termites and rot, but even treated wood is subject to moisture damage. To protect wood against weather and premature aging, coat the wood with an effective brand of water repellent as soon as possible and then reapply a coating every year or so.”

On kiln-drying, Dr. Tan shares: “As solid hardwood will always move with changes in moisture content, many problems related to exotic hardwood decking are caused by variations in humidity or moisture content. These changes in the moisture content of the wood can cause movement. Shrinkage, expansion, gapping between boards, cracking and checking. Extreme changes in moisture can lift the finish right off the wood itself.

Therefore, careful kiln-drying is one of the most important factors in producing the best possible solid decking products. Tropical woods generally have a higher density and require kiln-drying techniques vastly different from those for drying temperate hardwoods.”

On milling quality, he said: “Tong Sim’s is one of the best in the industry. This means our hardwood product will fit together perfectly, not too tight and not too loose. This will save time during the installation and help to prevent squeaks and pops during the life-span of the decking.

We use only the finest to mill our decking. This allows us to produce the smoothest possible finish with a minimum of knife marks and eliminates the typical chatter and tear-out found in many hardwood decking products.”

Driving by its corporate goal of creating ultimate customer satisfaction, the company’s enthusiastic management and dedicated workforce aim to deliver wood products of the highest quality. Today, Tong Sim has built a solid reputation for its consistency in producing high quality products and on-time delivery to its many export markets, the top three of which are Western Europe, Southeast Asia and North America.