One of the world's few manufacturers of furniture made of white-oak barrels, Chang Qing Enterprise Co., Ltd. Has gained a solid reputation in the Japanese market for unique and environment-friendly products. It is now seeking to penetrate the wider global market.

The firm produces its oak-barrel furniture in Dalian, Liaoning Province, in mainland China. The factory also turns out flooring materials made from white-oak barrel staves.

About three years ago Chang Qing formed a strategic alliance with Japan's well-known Suntory Ltd. For the production of whisky-barrel furniture using raw materials supplied by the Japanese distiller. The alliance guarantees access for Chang Qing to Suntory's large supply of 50-year-old white-oak whisky barrels, which the Taiwanese firm processes into furniture and other items using boiling treatment and stress relaxation process.

The company's Dalian plant is responsible for processing the barrels into parts appropriate for the production of furniture. "We ship the majority of our finsihed-product output to Suntory for sales to the Japanese domestic market, but we also reserve the right to directly distribute the products in Japan through mail-order channels," says Colin Ho, general manager of Chang Qing. Currently the company has several showrooms in Kobe and Osaka to display its uniquely designed furniture.

Ho says the production of the whisky-barrel oak furniture is environment-friendly since it recycles old barrels that otherwise would have to be thrown away. Suntory has 70 years of experience in making barrels that are elaborately crafted by master coopers using quarter-sawn white oak. The barrels chosen by Chang Qing have all been used to gently age whisky for more than half a century. The older the barrel, the higher the grade of malt whisky it can produce.

Ho notes that whisky barrels have a number of advantages when used in furniture, including strong support, abrasion resistance, and durability. Since such furniture does not require the use of formaldehyde adhesives, it is also considered safer for use by people with sensitive skin and allergies.

Over the past several months, the company has been making a systematic effort to export its environment-friendly models to the U.S. and some European nations. "European consumers have greater concern for environment-protection issues than do Asians," comments Ho. "Since we already stand out in the Asian market, we figure our products will be that much more attractive in the European and U.S. markets."

To successfully penetrate the North American and European markets, since the second half of last year Chang Qing has taken part in a number of internationally renowned furniture exhibitions. For more information, contact the company at: 13th Fl.-1, No.421 Sungsan Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. Tel: 886-2-2346-0515; Fax: 886-2-2346-0513; e-mail: info@jyousei.com; http://www.jyousei.com