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Our History and Values

Wood for generations






 


In 1891, Felix Clercx set up a sawmill near Helmond in the Netherlands. The activity developed in the second half of the 20th century thanks to the import of exotic wood, from first, Africa, then Indonesia. In the 1990s, the Felixwood brand became the symbol of a global concept of high-quality outdoor furnishing. Today, we specialise in sustainable wood because we are convinced that the pleasure and authenticity of wood must be guaranteed for several generations. The management of forest resources is becoming a considerable challenge for all our future. In 2019, we joined the Forestia group, a specialist in composite wood, that shares the same values as us, in terms of management and ecology.

Preserving our tropical forests

We have been importing and processing wood for three generations and have long been aware of, and concerned about, management of our resources.

About 30% of the Earth is covered by forests. This equates to 4 billion hectares of trees that purify the air, produce oxygen, prevent soil erosion and improve water quality.

Tropical forests account for about 50% of all the world's forests. However, they are most threatened by constant pressure from local people who clear land to convert it to crops or raise livestock.

Managed sustainably, forests are an inexhaustible source of raw materials that can be transformed into building materials with very little energy. By not cutting more trees than can naturally grow back, biodiversity is maintained and the ecological function of the forest as a habitat for plants and animals is preserved.

The forest, a carbon sink

Reducing our CO2 emissions has also become a priority for everyone. It is the major challenge of our 21st century.

Forests absorb about a quarter of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels each year. They are the main contributor to the fight against climate change. Forest photosynthesis produces oxygen O2 and wood from atmospheric CO2 and soil water. Carbon extracted from the atmosphere is stored, first in the tree, then in our wooden constructions, some of which are thousands of years old.

More than just a carbon pump, the forest is also a means of regulating the water cycle, producing oxygen, improving air quality, and ensuring biodiversity.

fsc wood

To harvest is to protect

Using wood material by harvesting the forest means protecting it. We believe that giving wood an economic value, through generating a fair income between forest operators and local people, helps to protect and secure forests for our future generations. FelixWood strives to create a world in which human choices have a beneficial effect on sustainable development. By participating tovarious certification initiatives, FelixWood promotes the use of sustainable tropical hardwoods against deforestation, while reducing global warming and preserving flora and fauna around the world.

Consuming responsibly through certified woods

In order to be sure that the wood we use (construction timber, terrace boards, furniture, objects, paper, etc) comes from sustainably managed forests, certification labels have been developed such as FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes), which guarantee the wood origin and sustainable management of the forests from which it comes.

FelixWood is committed to sourcing wood and wood products certified according to recognised national and international standards of responsible forest management to ensure that forest products are only harvested under sustainable forest management plans that preserve tropical forests, protect indigenous people and wildlife and prevent land conversion.

FSC®certification: Forest Stewardship Council

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous, management of the world's forests.

FSC® is represented in 81 countries in Europe, notably by Felix Clercx. To this end, Felix promotes responsible forestry policies and refrains from any unacceptable forestry practice. FSC®'s priority principles include respect for national laws in force, rights of workers and indigenous peoples, facilitation of community relationships, and strict respect for ecosystems and biodiversity, particularly through the preservation of areas with high conservation value.

Using a proprietary audit process, FelixWood maps its entire supply chain. FelixWood products covered by this certificate are identified by the logo below, which, in turn, recognises and traces their sustainable origin.

Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT)

Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade.
FLEGT is an EU initiative to reduce illegal logging by both strengthening sustainable, legal forest management and promoting trade in legally produced timber. Through a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), FLEGT contributes and commits itself. 100% of the FelixWood range from Indonesia is imported under the FLEGT licence. It is expected that the implementation process in the Republic of Congo will be completed in the foreseeable future. This means that the FelixWood assortment from Congo Brazzaville will also be 100% covered.

An example of FSC® certification: the Congo Basin

In the Congo Basin, FSC®-certified loggers offer their employees, families and the inhabitants of neighbouring villages, access to their concessions, schools and hospitals located on the farms and operated by the concession holders themselves. The fight against poaching is also an important part of certification.

In addition, overall sampling practices are extremely rigorous and preserve the environment while emphasizing safety. On average, only 1 tree per hectare is harvested every 25 years in certified concessions in the Congo Basin. Responsible forest management is a key factor in preserving the integrity of the Congo Basin’s primary tropical forests.

Our other certifications

Bureau Veritas Origin and Legality of Wood (OLB)
The OLB is based on respect for national and local laws and regulations on sustainable management of exploitable forests. It includes humane working conditions.

Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS S.A.)
FelixWood is audited annually by SGS, an inspection, test, analysis, and certification world leader. During these audits, all purchases and sales of FSC® and PEFC products are audited, eliminating any potential gaps in the entire supply chain. These audits end with the issuance of a certificate.

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