GINKO designs and produces furniture and wood floors in Tarija, located strategically in the southernmost region of Bolivia, where unique and valuable varieties of woods grow abundantly.
At both national and regional level, GINKO has acheived a strong market position through specialized work like our restoration of the floors and furniture of the vice-presidential palace of Bolivia. We have also developed a successful export business.
Our fast growth since opening in 2002 has been based on the work of experienced German-trained designers and technicians, guaranteeing products of high quality and design values to our clients.
The philosophy of our work is centered in offering clients a professional and individualized service that fulfils our strict standards of quality, innovation and design. GINKO´s carpentry encompasses many different products, including -
- in woods such as Peruvian bark, yellow Cuta, Lapacho, and many other Bolivian species.
For the internal market, we have two distinct processes - the crafting of specialised furniture to order, and medium-scale production of high-quality, affordable pieces. We also export our garden furniture, doors and hotel furniture to clients including five-star hotels.
Our work is made possible by a team of forty-five craftspeople and six admistrative staff. The chief engineer and manager, Jorge Flores, is a Bolivian carpenter with 25 years experience in Germany [where he gained the title Tischlermeister] and South Africa. While in Germany he was an adviser to the organisation for international co-operation and development Deutscher Entwicklungs Dienst.
The department of Tarija is located in the south of Bolivia, bordered on the north by the department of Chuquisaca, on the east by the Republic of Paraguay, on the west by Chuquisaca and Potosí, and on the south by the Republic of Argentina.
It has an area of nearly forty thousand square kilometers, distributed between mountains, hills and plains, with a diversity of landscape equalling that anywhere in Bolivia.
The population of over one hundred thousand is ethnically diverse. The largest ethnic group are the Chapaco - a "mestizo" or mixed Spanish/Native people, but there are are also numerous indigenous groups: Guarani, Weenhayek and Tapiete, especially in the O'Connor and Gran Chaco provinces.
The economy of the department is primarily based on arable farming, livestock and fishing, although large gas reserves have recently been discovered in the region, and their development will be important not just to Tarija but the whole of Bolivia.
Another sector that has become more important in recent years is forestry - a source of innumerable new jobs for the region. And of course, Tarija is famous for its vineyards, which produce some of the best wine in South America. Textiles are another important sector.
The new strategic importance of Tarija within Bolivia has led to a series of projects to improve infrastructure in the region, allowing better access to neighbouring departments and countries than ever before, and greatly increasing possibilities for export of our unique products.
Made in Etiol