About Us
Our History
The La Grouw family has a rich heritage in the development of solid wood construction products and designs. It all started in 1951 when Jo La Grouw senior and his business partner, John van Loghem, ventured into the solid wood construction industry in New Zealand. Together, they established the Lockwood Building System, which has since gained international recognition for its excellence. This renowned system is a testament to the family’s deep-rooted expertise and passion for solid wood construction. Jo continued his work within Lockwood for over 50 years, developing house designs and innovative systems that spearheaded the company’s success.
Corgi La Grouw, Jo’s son, continued the family legacy by following in his father’s footsteps. He joined the company in 1967 and played a significant role in its operations, eventually serving as Director and Joint Managing Director of the Group for several years. After a tenure of 35 years at Lockwood, Corgi made the decision to transfer his shareholdings to his brother.
Corgi’s unwavering commitment to research and development persisted as he embarked on a groundbreaking endeavour alongside his son, Brooke La Grouw, and builder friend, Ivan Scott. Together, they spearheaded the development of Touchwood®, an innovative and revolutionary solid timber building system.
Timber, nature's gift to building.
Touchwood® is a company that has been a leader in solid timber construction in New Zealand. With their extensive combined building experience of over 80 years, they have developed a unique and revolutionary solid wood building system. This system combines the traditional aspects of conventional floors and roofs with a solid wood interior/exterior wall system.
The key outcome of this innovation is the creation of modular wall panels that offer design flexibility and rapid assembly. These panels are designed to be strong yet flexible, allowing for a harmonious integration into contemporary or traditional living styles. By using the Touchwood® wall system, material and labor costs are minimized while still delivering a high-quality construction solution.
The Touchwood® wall system embraces the timeless qualities of timber, offering a medium that can adapt to various architectural styles and preferences. It provides a solid wood construction solution that not only meets structural requirements but also provides aesthetic appeal. By utilizing this system, builders and homeowners can benefit from its innovative design, cost-effectiveness, and efficient assembly process.
Up FAST, built to LAST
At Touchwood®, we employ advanced precision machining and joinery techniques to transform carefully selected pine boards into fully assembled wall panels at our state-of-the-art factory. These panels are then meticulously wrapped and promptly delivered to your construction site. Our team of skilled Touchwood-trained builders efficiently assembles the wall structure, completing the process within a matter of hours.
Our Touchwood® solid wood construction system offers a compelling combination of competitive pricing and unparalleled design flexibility. It enables the creation of strong, durable walls that boast a modern, stylish appearance—truly ideal for contemporary and future homes alike.
Touchwood®. The revolutionary Touchwood solid wood building system is patented (patent # 525082).
