Imam Faizin: The King of Fossil Stone Furniture from Yogyakarta
Becoming the "King of Fossil Stone Furniture from Yogyakarta to the World" is not an easy title to achieve. Imam Faizin, founder of CV Putra Jambu, has proven that hard work, perseverance, and creativity in innovation are the keys to success in the furniture industry.
In Yogyakarta, known as the "City of Students," Imam Faizin has developed his furniture company using a unique material: fossil stone, also known as "Petrified Wood." Petrified wood, or wood that has turned to stone, is a type of fossil in which all of the wood's organic matter has been replaced by minerals, usually silicates like quartz, but the wood's original structure remains intact.
The process of petrified wood takes thousands to millions of years and typically occurs when the wood is buried by sediment and protected from oxygen, preventing decomposition. Minerals in groundwater then fill the wood's cells, preserving its structure in stone form.
Wood that has turned to stone over thousands of years is still commonly found in Indonesia in Kalimantan, Sumatra, and East Java, especially around the Blora and Bojonegoro areas.
According to Imam Faizin, the potential for fossil wood in Indonesia is still quite large, especially in areas with a geological history that supports fossil formation. The discovery and utilization of this fossil wood can be a profitable industry, both for the domestic and export markets. Indonesian fossil wood holds high value in the international market due to its uniqueness and beauty.
Because of this uniqueness and beauty, Imam Faizin chose it as the primary raw material for his furniture, adding a distinctive and exclusive touch that other furniture products lack. For Imam, choosing petrified wood was not without reason. He wanted to differentiate himself.
"I want our furniture products to be different from others. Using regular wood is very competitive, but with fossil wood, we can offer something unique," Imam explained in a conversation on Saturday (July 20).
Imam Faizin, a member of the Indonesian Furniture and Craft Industry Association (HIMKI), explained that, although not as abundant as wood, fossil wood is still readily available and provides significant added value to his furniture products. Moreover, petrified wood has a wide range of applications, particularly in the furniture and decoration industries.
This fossilized wood is prized for its natural beauty and material strength. Each piece of fossilized wood has a unique pattern and color, making it a highly desirable material for creating tables, chairs, statues, and various other decorative items.
According to Imam, using petrified wood as a raw material presents its own challenges, particularly in extraction and processing. Due to its stone-like nature, the process requires specialized equipment and a high level of expertise. However, with increasing demand, especially from overseas markets, business opportunities in this industry are significant.
Consumer-Captivating Designs
CV Putra Jambu's strength lies not only in its raw materials, but also in its attractive furniture designs. Imam, who has a keen interest in design, collaborates with a team of college-educated designers to create up-to-date designs that are in demand by the market. "We always strive to create trendy and innovative designs, unseen by competitors. This is key to remaining competitive," explained Imam.
Since starting the business in November 2009, CV Putra Jambu has successfully penetrated the international market. His furniture products can now be found on various continents, including Europe, America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In particular, the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates are the largest markets for these fossil stone furniture products.
He believes that to survive, entrepreneurs must possess a tenacious mentality, a hard-working spirit, and creative innovation. "Even with strong capital and a reliable marketing team, without attractive designs and a strong brand, the furniture industry will not survive long," he said.
Imam emphasized the importance of exploring one's abilities and having the courage to develop creativity. "At CV Putra Jambu, we never stop innovating to produce attractive and innovative designs. This effort has proven that CV Putra Jambu remains viable and continues to grow in the furniture manufacturing business," he concluded.
The story of Imam Faizin and CV Putra Jambu is clear evidence that with hard work, innovation, and uniqueness, a business can achieve success and be recognized internationally.
