Yanuar Ilmawan and his longtime friend, Lucky Danna Aria, wanted to create a conversation-starting product—and found their answer in the wood discarded by furniture makers. With the help of three artisans, Yanuar and Lucky began creating watches with detailed wooden faces and carved bodies. In 2011, they launched Matoa Indonesia, a business that designs and manufactures timepieces in Bandung, West Java.

After selling out its initial collection of 100 timepieces at its debut exhibition, Matoa has since grown to 60 employees—including 30 artisans—and sells up to 3,000 watches every month. In January 2018, with customer interest and orders increasing, Matoa turned to the WhatsApp Business app to run a fully integrated communication system.

The WhatsApp Business app’s away messages feature means Matoa can respond instantly, which is a vital function for a business with a global clientele. The business profile feature also makes it easier for local customers to find Matoa’s store, which is located in a residential area.

Customers say that being able to chat via WhatsApp makes it easier to learn about Matoa’s products, and that a quick and clear exchange via WhatsApp makes choosing to buy a Matoa watch simple and enjoyable. Pairing this desirable product with a reliable communication system means that Matoa Indonesia is well-positioned for global expansion.