I want to share my knowledge with others – Manager F&T Designs
A GINA feature. November 2, 2004
In 2000, Terry Feroze returned to Guyana after spending 15 years in the United States. He brought with him a wealth of experience in wood-working and cabinet manufacturing. Feroze had a dual plan in mind- to establish a first class closet/ cabinet manufacturing business and to share his skills with young Guyanese. Together with his wife Francine, he set about accomplishing both.
In the United States, Feroze’ business mainly supplied fixtures for department stores but years of doing this had given him the necessary experience for both construction and management skills.
The prompt to come back to Guyana came from a number of sources, including the fact that the labour cost in the US being comparatively higher, his business was losing customers to Mexican manufacturers.
Feroze saw the opportunity to do business in Guyana. He was confident he could capture a share of the Caribbean market and most assuredly the local market.
To set up his business, Feroze brought in machinery and rented a building. Response from Guyanese was heartening. Within a short while he was able to acquire his own building at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.
Most of the materials used by F&T Designs are imported synthetic material. Feroze noted that part of the focus in the manufacturing sector is on conserving the rainforest and the synthetic materials are just as durable and have the same aesthetic appeal as natural materials. The company also uses some local natural materials.
Producing the high quality pieces F&T Designs is noted for, is not easy. Feroze, when he thought of establishing his business in Guyana, knew that hiring a skilled and competent labour force was going to be a challenge.
Feroze knew at the outset that it would be unfair to compare the product manufactured by the Guyanese craftsman with that done by their American counterparts who would have had access to modern technologies and equipment. He was determined to change that.
The company has a permanent staff of 15 and when the demand arises, hires additional help. Most of the craftsmen were trained on the job. Training is provided by suppliers of equipment whose technicians teach the workers how to use the machinery. Feroze himself does some training and it is here that the skill and expertise of the entrepreneur is displayed.
Part of F&T Designs success comes from attending trade shows. Though his is a fairly new company, Feroze makes it a priority to attend as many shows as possible. This year was his first time at GuyExpo and from his account, it was worth the time and money.
The F&T Designs booth attracted a large number of visitors to the exhibition and many will remember the gold painted complete kitchen set that was raffled.
According to Feroze, Guy Expo served to introduce his business to Caribbean customers with whom he will be doing business.
Trade shows also serve another purpose for F&T Designs. It is able to see what materials and designs competitors are using and to improve their own products.
Feroze believes in good competition. “If I don’t have companies to compete against, my own business will go down or become stagnant, because I don’t have to keep up with anything,” he explained.
One of the secrets behind F&T Designs success is the commitment by Feroze to treat his workers fairly. He understands that there will be occasions when a worker will need some extra time off.
The businessman noted that the reasonably low price of his products is part of the reason he was able to get a slice of the Caribbean market and this is because labour cost in Guyana is lower that in the US. He is committed to paying his workers decent wages and as his business grows, so will the benefits to his workers.
The Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST) has also been of tremendous help to the business, from its establishment up to today. According to Feroze, GOINVEST is always there to assist.
The businessman plans to extend his range of products and his market. He has his eyes set on exporting to Europe and more of the Caribbean.
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