Bambang Wijaya: From Bamboo Panels to the Largest Exporter of Bamboo Gazebos to Europe
Bambang Wijaya, Director of PT Dekor Asia Jayakarta, is probably familiar to those in the bamboo furniture and craft industry in Indonesia. With over 15 years of experience, Bambang has successfully led the company he founded to become one of the largest exporters of bamboo gazebos to Europe.
Furthermore, Bambang is also active as Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Student Association (HIMKI) DPP for SME Development and Entrepreneurship, demonstrating his dedication to advancing the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in Indonesia. He spends much of his time providing training and guidance to SMEs, particularly in the bamboo craft industry. He believes that by sharing his knowledge and experience, he can help SMEs grow and develop.
Bambang Wijaya's career in the bamboo industry began with an inspiring story. Like many other successful entrepreneurs, Bambang's first steps stemmed from an unexpected opportunity. About 15 years ago, Bambang received an order from an Australian buyer for bamboo panels. Without hesitation, Bambang accepted the order and began exploring the potential of bamboo crafts.
"That first request really impressed me. From there, I saw the enormous potential in the bamboo craft industry. Bamboo in Indonesia is abundant and diverse, so I felt this was an opportunity that needed to be seriously pursued," Bambang recalled in a conversation with Bisnistoday on Friday (July 5).
According to Bambang Wijaya, Indonesia is known for its diverse bamboo species, such as betung bamboo, wulung bamboo, apus bamboo, and others. This diversity provides a distinct advantage for the Indonesian bamboo craft industry. He recognized this potential and decided to focus on bamboo products. He began developing various products, from panels and furniture to bamboo gazebos.
"Indonesia is rich in high-quality bamboo species. This is a natural resource that we must utilize optimally. Bamboo is not only strong and durable, but also has high aesthetic value. Bamboo products are also environmentally friendly, making them attractive in the international market," Bambang explained.
Bambang doesn't want bamboo raw materials to be used solely for panels, gazebos, or construction; he wants them to have a higher sales value. And ultimately, he created furniture products with various attractive designs.
The furniture and crafts he created received an unexpectedly positive market response, especially from international buyers. Every week, PT Dekor Asia Jayakarta exports two containers of furniture and crafts to Germany, France, Spain, the United States, and several countries in the Middle East.
With determination and hard work, Bambang has succeeded in making PT Dekor Asia Jayakarta the largest exporter of bamboo gazebos to Europe. His company's bamboo gazebos are in demand in various European countries for their beauty, strength, and sustainability.
Meanwhile, the bamboo furniture and crafts business remains a reliable source of foreign exchange and profits for the entrepreneur, enabling the company to pay the salaries of its more than 200 employees and meet various other obligations smoothly.
"Becoming the largest exporter to Europe is the result of our hard work and commitment to consistently producing high-quality products. We always ensure that every product we ship meets strict quality standards. This is crucial for building customer trust and satisfaction," said Bambang.
Besides focusing on his business, Bambang also demonstrates high dedication to advancing SMEs in Indonesia. As Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Furniture and Craft Industry Association (HIMKI) for SME Development and Entrepreneurship, he regularly provides training in bamboo crafts.
"I always believe that success must be shared. By sharing knowledge and experience, we can help SMEs become more competitive and innovative. I hope what I do can make a positive contribution to the development of SMEs in Indonesia," said Bambang.
Bambang Wijaya's story is a clear example of how perseverance, innovation, and dedication can lead to success in the industry. From his first bamboo panel order, Bambang has grown his business into one of the largest exporters of bamboo gazebos to Europe.
His dedication to advancing SMEs and entrepreneurship also demonstrates his commitment not only to personal success but also to helping others achieve success. Bambang Wijaya is an inspiration to many young entrepreneurs who want to enter the bamboo craft and furniture industry in Indonesia.
