Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Office supplies provider Stationery and Office Supplies Limited (SOS) is set to double its SEEK factory output by June this year with the purchase of three advanced machines that will modernise its factory while enhancing speed and efficiency in production.

This J$50-million investment will go towards the purchase of three new machines: a ruling machine that will increase its ruling capability fivefold and two book-making units that will staple, fold, cut, and bind exercise books in one pass, tripling the daily output.

SOS Managing Director Allan McDaniel explained: “We’re on track to significantly ramp up our production, effectively doubling our current capacity. The SEEK factory is presently very labour intensive. The new machinery is the new technology that will bring SEEK to the modern era of manufacturing.”

The SEEK factory, which produces exercise books and other stationery items, was acquired by the company in 2018, marking its entry into the business of manufacturing. It has since been one of the company’s best-performing areas, closing out the 2023 fiscal year with revenues climbing over J$100 million, up from J$80 million over the same period last year.

Sourced from India

McDaniel said the new equipment is being sourced from India and will be up and running by July. Apart from improving production capabilities, it will result in more competitive prices for dealers and customers. The new machinery will complement the existing set-up and catalyse the recruitment and training of around 10 new staff members.

According to the SOS boss, “This investment was the obvious choice if we wanted to continue to grow the business. It will allow us to focus on our best-selling products and make sure we always have sufficient quantities of these products in stock at all times. With the purchase, we are also bringing in persons to train our staff on the new machines. This training should take up to a month but it will definitely provide them with the new skills needed.”

With the anticipated boost in production, SOS intends to gradually venture into new regional territories while expanding in Jamaica.

Large market share

McDaniel said: “We believe that there is still a large market share within Jamaica that we could capture, but the lack of enough products and inventory prevents us from being able to do so. We count on the continued support of our local market and their willingness to purchase a Jamaican-made product and brand that is on par with—if not superior to—imported options.”

Since the acquisition, SOS has increased its sales of SEEK products from J$35 million in 2018 to J$62 million in 2019. From 2020 through 2022, sales revenue stood at J$38.3 million, J$48.2 million and J$83.3 million, respectively. Fiscal year 2023 marks the highest-ever revenues for SEEK at over J$100 million, a 24 per cent increase on the previous year.