Safari Thatch will be showcasing a new range of bamboo products at this week’s IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando. And everything – including the bamboo itself – is made in the USA.
In business since 1984, Safari Thatch is the US largest supplier of tropical eco-friendly and renewable themed architectural materials. Its 60,000+ customers worldwide range from individual homeowners to exotic resort owners.
Made in the USA
On booth 2667 at IAAPA, Safari Thatch will be exhibiting products by GRASSBuilt. Headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi, the company has developed the world’s first structurally engineered bamboo material. As such, those looking for bamboo flooring or other bamboo products will no longer have to rely on Chinese imported product.
GRASSBuilt currently creates bamboo flooring, bamboo paneling, bamboo stair treads and bamboo countertops. Eventually it plans to scale up production in the USA to include furniture, columns, headers, beams and a replacement for cross-laminated timber panels.
At the IAAPA trade show, which starts on Tuesday (November 13), buyers will be able to see the first engineered bamboo panel systems developed by Safari Thatch in partnership with Trinity Innovations. The panels demonstrate carved GRASSBuilt engineered bamboo veneer laminated over a special through-coloured MDF called GeoTone. Available in many different colours and finishes, it has superior strength and dimensional stability properties. The material also lends itself well to machining intricate designs.
GRASSBuilt is available in its natural finish or in a stain of the customer’s specification. Alternative laminates are available such as walnut and maple. With this product, Safari Thatch can bring to life virtually any design that the customer can envision. Pre-finishing is available for the panels along with mounting systems for easy installation.
Strong and sustainable
GRASSBuilt manufactures commercial grade bamboo blocks (billets) by taking advantage of the tensile strength found within bamboo fibres and using a large press to create the most structurally sound naturally occurring bamboo building material.
Consistent with its commitment to sustainability, the company’s goal is to produce the lowest emitting bamboo product in the world. With GeoTone MDF there is no formaldehyde contained in the adhesive system. Instead, GRASSBuilt has developed a resin that will provide optimal physical properties while keeping emissions to an absolute minimum.
IAAPA Attractions Expo takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from November 13 to 16. To arrange a meeting with Safari Thatch, contact CEO Nicholas Wight at nickw@safarithatch.com.
