Rubber wood shortage hits furniture makers

Not enough: Furniture manufacturers were forced to cancel or delay orders due to insufficient raw materials and they were also unable to accept large orders or meet furniture export demands.

JOHOR BARU: For years, furniture makers have been facing a shortage of rubber wood, an important raw material used to produce durable fixtures.

Muar Furniture Association president Steve Ong said the impact was more noticeable recently due to various factors including changes in plantation practices and uncontrolled export of rubber wood veneer.