For more than 30 years, we have designed and created solid wood products, from furniture to custom handmade country style kitchens and bathroom cabinets, using traditional techniques combined with advanced technology and a modern approach.
History
Touchwood was established by David Ring, a talented carpenter and cabinetmaker, who came to Israel from the USA in the early 1970s. David’s traditional woodworking skills had been passed down from father to son.
David settled in Yodfat in the Lower Galilee, where his carpentry shop began to successfully produce handcrafted solid wood furniture.
In the early 1990s, Yonatan Carmi joined the shop as an apprentice, followed soon after by David’s son Gabriel.
Recognizing a growing demand for solid wood furniture, Touchwood expanded the scope of its activities to include custom built and designed country kitchens and bathrooms.
The business is now a fully-registered company jointly owned and managed by Yonatan and Gabriel.
In recent years, the company has also been involved in projects outside Israel. During 2005-2006, Touchwood worked on the prestigious Essex House office complex in Central Park in New York City. Later, during 2007-2008, the company manufactured two prototype luxurious modular homes made from solid wood and sent an assembly crew to build the villas on-site in Angola.
The People
David Ring – Founder
“From the day I was born, my father, who came from a woodworking family, gave me a great love for this profession and its traditions.
I moved to Israel at the age of 21, bringing with me a suitcase filled with my carpentry tools, my most prized possessions.
I settled in the moshav (collective community) of Yodfat and opened a modest carpentry shop in a small shed, providing services to the local community.
This became a business within the moshav, and eventually an independent business. It is to my great joy that the younger generation has inherited my love for wood and dedication to craft work, and is continuing down the same path.
Currently, I am returning to the most basic forms of woodworking: carving and working with hand tools. The business is already in good hands. This is my opportunity to come full circle and retire.”
Gabriel “Gabi” Ring – Owner and Joint CEO
“Ever since I can remember, everything that has to do with beauty, aesthetics, and design has really appealed to me. As the son of a 3rd generation carpenter, I suppose that my love for the field is a simple matter of genetics.
My initial foray into the world of carpentry began with my father’s carpentry classes.
After these classes, I worked and helped out at the carpentry shop every opportunity I had. After spending several years overseas, I came back to Israel and took the natural next step of joining the business.”
Yonatan “Yoni” Carmi – Owner and Joint CEO
“I discovered the power of wood at the age of ten when I first entered a house made entirely of wood – from the foundations to the rafters, including all of the furniture inside. I was amazed and enchanted. I continued to cultivate this passion through David’s carpentry classes.
Following my military service, I became involved in building wood houses in the United States. Essentially, I built houses similar in style to that house I saw when I was 10.
When I returned to Israel, I didn’t have any doubts about what I wanted to do.”
Dana Lotan – Designer
I completed my interior design studies at the Holon Institute of Technology in the year 2000 and joined Touchwood immediately afterward. Ever since, Touchwood has been my second home. I have designed hundreds of kitchens, bathrooms, and furniture items over the years, met many wonderful people, and become involved in a number of challenging projects. Being able to plan a kitchen that fulfills the clients’ dreams and becomes their favorite room in the house – this is the true satisfaction I get from my work."