SOLCANE RATTAN FURNITURES LIMITED THE FACTORY OFFICE SHOWROOM

SOLCANE RATTAN FURNITURES LIMITED

THE FACTORY, OFFICE & SHOWROOM Situated 10 kilo meters east of Honiara

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SOLOMON ISLANDS?

OPERATIONAL LOCATION

• Manufacturers of Rattan Furnitures in Solomon Islands

Beginning • Incorporated in February 1989 • Taken over from former owners by Isabel Development Company Ltd (IDC Shipping) in late 1990 s.

Management • Has been managed by mostly experienced Carpenters • Overseen by a Board of Directors headed by a Chairman • Recently (2013) managed by the General Manageress of IDC Shipping Ltd

ORGANISATION CHART GENERAL MANAGER Operations Manager Accounts & Administrative Officer Sales & Marketing Personnel A total of 20 staff Foreman Poles Processing (2 Staff) Framing (3 staff) Weaving (4 staff) Binding (3 staff) Finishing (3 staff)

CURRENT PRODUCTS

Current Products Cont’d

STRENGTHS • The only local rattan furniture manufacturer in Solomon Islands • Rattan materials are readily available in Guadalcanal, nearby Ngella, & most Islands in Solomon Islands • Rattan materials can be farmed to provide consistency supply. • Experienced staff • Established Factory in a one hectare registered land

Customers • Mostly from major hotels, motels and offices and expatriate staff of some diplomat offices in Honiara • Produce mostly for local consumers • Products can be tailor made to customer preference • Orders are being received from other Pacific Island countries such as Tonga & Samoa

CHALLENGES • Lack of necessary and essential Machinery & Equipment to ensure mass production • Lack of Capital to purchase the much needed equipment • Lack of expertise to manage • Lack of expertise to ensure efficient marketing of its product to outside markets • Rattan materials supply may be affected by bad weather • To make profit for shareholders

CHALLENGES CONT’D Obsolete Machines are not able to be replaced

Obsolete Machines cont’d

Obsolete Machines cont’d

Obsolete Machine & Equipment cont’d

The Future? • Has potential to become a successful business in the Manufacturing industry • Potential for providing employment to a lot of unemployed youths in Honiara or the Provinces in terms of working in the factory and farming of rattan materials • The art of weaving and binding must be taught in technical institutions just like carpentary, plumbing and others. • Specialist art put into the product fetches high price both in the local and overseas market