History

During the 1990's, the Group Chairman, Mr. Roscoe A. Maloney realised that trees with a high commercial value such as those used to manufacture fine furniture could be planted as an investment. After much research and planning Touchwood Investments Limited (TIL) was formed in Sri Lanka in 1999. With the Sri Lankan Board of Investment's approval to plant 2,000 acres of mahogany trees over 20 years, TIL began to market the product as an investment to local and overseas clients.

TIL and its products quickly gained acceptance as people recognized the valuable social and environmental contributions from helping to prevent the destruction of rainforests, while at the same time providing financial incentives. The concept of managed forestry had been introduced in Sri Lanka by TIL and was widely accepted. In a short space of time the potential of managed forestry became apparent and Touchwood expanded to Australia forming Touchwood Investments Australia Pty. Ltd. (TIA) in 2000.

Sales and profits from TIL’s operations were promising and stakeholders were optimistic about TIL’s future growth. In 2002, TIL listed publicly on the Colombo Stock Exchange (symbol: TWOD). The offering was oversubscribed. Consistently good profits and growth backed by management expertise and operational achievements has made Touchwood the leader in managed forestry in Sri Lanka. Touchwood has become a stable and respected member of the top 100 companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange with an exceptional gain in market value.

With Touchwood firmly established the company, understanding the worldwide value of managed forestry, sought to establish new international markets. Touchwood Forestry Co., Ltd. was established in Thailand in 2004 with Thailand Board of Investment privileges and Royal Forest Department approval. A sales and marketing office was established in Dubai as a regional hub to create managed forestry markets in the Middle East.

In October, 2004 Touchwood Limited was registered in Hong Kong as the Group’s holding company due to Hong Kong’s respected regulatory reputation, stable economy and ease of doing business.

Touchwood continues to enjoy further success leading to offices in Malaysia (2005), South Korea (2006), Qatar (2006), the United Kingdom (2007), South Africa (2007) and plantation operations commenced in Australia in 2006.

In 2007 Touchwood Asia Co. Ltd, was formed to address the increasing interest in managed forestry by institutions, corporations and governments seeking to promote socially responsible and sustainable forestry.

As of April 2009, Touchwood Investments Limited (TIL) has been renamed to Touchwood Investments PLC.