The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerite

  • Economic recession affecting job security — Union

    Economic recession affecting job security — Union

    The organised labour says decent jobs are gradually going into extinction while job security is being threatened on a daily basis by unstable and recessed economy.

    Mr Babatunde Olatunji, the President, National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Product Employees (NUCFRLNMPE), said this on Tuesday at the 26th Annual Industrial Relations Seminar holding in Benin from Aug. 21 to Aug. 25.

    According to Olatunji, the cause of job insecurity can largely be attributed to the inability of manufacturers to access foreign exchange for their business.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gave concession of 60 per cent foreign exchange to the real sector following Vice President Yemi Osibanjo’s initiative on the Ease of Doing Business.

    Also, Mr Frank Jacobs, President, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), said, “even though the preferential forex allocation was removed vide the forex policy of Feb. 21, 2017, the CBN has promised to continue to accord the manufacturing sector strong priority in forex allocation.’’

    Jacobs added that the preferential forex allocation regime brought increase in capacity utilisation into the sector as manufacturing activities were galvanised leading to an improved performance.

    The president of the union insisted that in spite of CBN’s promise on forex, chemical and footwear workers have continued to lose jobs because of the difficulty in accessing forex being faced by employers.

    “Many factories are operating far below installed utilisation. This makes management to deploy tactics of saving cost by reducing workers welfare,’’ Jacobs said.

    He further decried the epileptic power supply that has continually sapped the gains of production from most manufacturers, while consumers have continued to bear the high cost of products.

    Jacobs, therefore, appealed to the government to look into the issue of insecurity and the deplorable condition of roads which, he said, was impeding the growth and development of the manufacturing sector.

    In his message, Mr Bashir Kadiri, the Permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said that investment was the only way to drive industrialisation.

    Also, Mr Akinbode Kolawole, first President of NUCFLNMPE, said the training was important because it represented a `passport’ that could move the workers and industry forward.

    Kolawole said that without such training, it would be difficult for workers to be acquainted with the best practices for improve productivity.

    No fewer than 500 workers from Vitafoam, Nigerite, Unilever, Nicil, Lafarge Cement, and Pure Chemical Ltd, among others, attended the seminar.

    This year’s seminar has been tagged: `Emerging Industrial Relations Practices: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward.’’

  • Nigerite urges manufacturers to conserve forex for economy

    Nigerite Limited has advised manufacturers to look inwards and build local capacities that would allow them to deploy local raw materials for their production and conserve foreign exchange (forex) for the economy.
    Managing Director, Nigerite Limited, Frank LE Bris, who gave the view at the Annual Distributors Appreciation Forum in Lagos, told manufacturers that given on ongoing forex scarcity, they should begin to look inwards in sourcing their raw materials.
    He said although not all the raw materials can be sourced locally, but companies should invest in research and development and look for close substitutes for their raw material needs.
    “Nigeria must encourage local content, get local manufacturers to set up companies and look inwards for sourcing local materials that Nigeria has the competitive and comparative advantage,” he said.LE Bris who spoke during the distributors’ award, said since the government is seeking ways to diversify its economic revenue base, the company would continue to support the present administration in its quest to achieve a diversified economy.
    He said the company’s 57 years history and a market share of about 30 per cent in Nigeria, has also played a vital role in creating employment opportunities for the nation’s teeming unemployed youths.
    On the distributors’ award that took place across three regions of Nigeria before the Lagos edition, the LE Bris said: “The event was an opportunity for us to appreciate our distributors and also discuss with distributors, the achievements in the past one year. We are also looking at getting feedbacks from them as per the challenges they face selling our products and how we can improve upon our services,” he said.
    According to the Nigerite Nigeria boss, the company is hoping to enhance its business relationship with distributors, promising to keep bringing more quality products and having some new innovations while also meeting their needs. “We are also going to be supporting them by organising trainings and seminars for them in order to help expand their business. We are also looking at creating sub-distributors for them, promoting their businesses generally.
    A distributor, Mrs. Margaret Opesanwo, praised the company’s drive in its distribution network, saying it has an excellent marketing and sales team that brings distributors up to speed about different ways to boost sales.
    For her, the award was an indication that distributors are doing very well with the company. She said although the profit margin is not much, the company is excellent at providing lots of encouragement and support and sometimes help us look for customers.
    “The company goes as far as to organise seminars, trainings for artisans. I have been to not less than four different seminars organised by the company to introduce the artisans to new innovations and products of the company. I will use this opportunity to tell the management to expand their distribution chain in order to get their products across every part of the country,” she concluded.
    Another distributor, Akeem Tijani, said his company has been dealing with Nigerite products for the past 46 years, adding that Nigerite had over the years built a brand worthy of emulation. For him, although the economy has been challenging, he praised Nigerite for its doggedness and commitment in producing quality products meeting the needs of consumers.
    “The distributors’ award is very important to the company and distributors, because we value the company as a whole. This event will give us the opportunity to share ideas, lay down our complaints and observations in the market while the company gives us feedback about what is happening on their end”, he said.
    “My company started with my father before I took over and it is one of Nigerite’s biggest distributors today as we deal strictly on its products. We all know the economic situation of the country, but we thank God because business has been good this year. We know businesses cannot be rosy all the time, but we hope that the economic year of 2017 will be better,” he added.

  • Nigerite fetes distributors

    Nigerite Limited, a building solution provider, is to invest in new lines of products and equipment in its expansion drive.

    Besides, the firm is to continue partnering with its distributors to boost their growth.

    The National Technical Sales Manager of Nigerite, Abimbola Banjo, said this known at Nigerite Distributors Forum in Lagos.

    He said the forum was to create a win-win situation where the distributors and Nigerite could further expand their businesses and make good profit.

    “We are going to improve on our network too because increasing the turnover and the output, you have to expand your scope, so we as a company, we are trying to expand our scope, get some more distributors in some other areas and ensure that we achieve our predicted turnover” Banjo said.

    He noted that the meeting was to get feedback from the distributors and look for possible ways to serve them better, adding that it was also an avenue to showcase the new product KalsiCeil Batten used as an alternative to wooden tie rods.

    According to him, the forum, which started last month, will run in Southwest cities, including Ogun State and Ilorin, Kwara State.

    “As part of our marketing activities and strategy, we have decided to be having regular meetings with our distributors to know how they are going about their businesses, to know some of the challenges that they are facing and to know how we can assist them in improving their performance and get feedback generally about our products,” he said.

    Banjo further noted that with the cordial relationship between Nigerite and its distributors, he was optimistic that they would continue to experience growth in their businesses.

    Expressing gratitude to the management of Nigerite Limited, one of the distributors, Ade Shaleye, said he was optimistic that the issues raised at the meeting would be resolved by the company.

  • Nigerite, Sterling Bank, Honeywell, others for 9jaSAFE awards

    Nigerite, Sterling Bank, Honeywell, others for 9jaSAFE awards

    • Seyi Law to host Nigeria’s prestigious safety award

    Nigeria Safety Awards for Excellence Hall of Fame (9jaSAFE) 2016 is set to award companies who have created a safe workplace for its employees.

    The Award, which will take place on 9th of September, 2016 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki-Lagos is going to be hosted by Ace Comedian, Seyi Law.

    9jaSAFE Award organized by Safety Record Newspaper, publishers of Nigeria’s premiere Occupational Health, Safety and Environment newspaper, is a safety awards event aims at recognizing outstanding health, safety and environment (HSE) initiatives in Nigeria.

    The award ceremony, in its 2nd year, is not only focused on recognizing Nigerian organizations who have created a safe workplace environment for her workers, but also to highlight Nigerians who continue to promote safety within their immediate communities in Nigeria.

    According to a statement signed by Femi Da-silva, Managing Editor of Safety Record Newspapers, he said that the event is organized to honour organizations and individuals who have achieved excellence in their field by the introduction, development and improvement of health and safety standards within their work environment and communities.

    The statement reads: “The award, which have been endorsed by the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Lagos State Safety Commission, and World Safety Organisation; others who endorsed the awards event are the Society of Occupational and Environmental Heath Physicians of Nigeria, American Society of Safety Engineers-Nigeria Chapter.

    “Supporting the award event for this year are Ikeja City Mall, Hybrid Group and Kevron Consulting Ltd.”

    Da-silva noted that they have instituted Nigeria Safety Award for Excellence as a humble contribution to advance the culture of safety in Nigeria, noting that several incidents that have resulted in disasters, including mishaps have become a common occurrence in the country, claiming the lives of many and destroying properties worth billions of Naira.

    According to him: “We have had trends of building collapse during and after constructions, ghastly motor accidents on our highways and waterways, and fire outbreaks across the states killing hundreds of people.

    “A passenger boat capsized in the waters around cross river state, killing about a hundred people. And on April 2 in Majidun River, Ikorodu in Lagos, a passenger boat hit a solid object in the water, upturning and throwing all its 28 commuters into the sea. The victims included some pregnant women and a Young couple whose wedding were just a few days away.

    “At different times, there have been reported cases of collapsed – completed or under constructed buildings, some of which had a high number of occupants when they caved in. The Lekki gardens building collapse in Lagos is the most recent.

    “In the case of fire, hundreds of lives have been killed and properties worth billions damaged over the last few years. Quite recently, about 70 people died in the Onitsha tanker fire that occurred after the fuel laden truck lost control as a result of brake failure. This perhaps could have been prevented, had the vehicle undergo necessary checks to ensure safety.

    “The consequence of the countless dangers complied above is the near absence of safety standards in most areas of public exposure in Nigeria today.”

    He revealed that Safety Record Newspaper has been in the vanguard of raising awareness and sensitization on safety matters in the country, hence, taking the lead in berthing the award in its second year running.

    This initiative has been adjudged by stakeholders in the country as the first recognized Nigeria award in Occupational health, safety and environment (HSE).

    “The award is open to any individual/organization committed to practicing health, safety and environment (HSE) managing at the workplace in Nigeria.

    “The award is an invaluable platform set up to endorse organization/individuals’ HSE practice and a means to celebrate success in keeping employee healthy and safe,” he informed.

    He added that the independent safety body would recognize outstanding performance initiatives of individuals towards fostering safety and environment initiative.

    The list of the finalists have been published on their website, and would be published in the second edition of the first ever Nigeria Safety Book of Record, which will be updated annually.

    According to the organizers of the award, they said that interested safety professionals in Nigeria can participate in the event by visiting the website.

    FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Ikeja Electric, Nigerite are among the organizations billed to be awarded at the second edition of the prestigious Nigerian safety award.

  • Nigerite unveils ‘Kalsi Craft’, shines at forum

    Nigerite unveils ‘Kalsi Craft’, shines at forum

    Nigerite Limited has introduced another product into the market. The product, Kalsi craft, the latest addition to the company’s range of dry construction solution products, was unveiled at the just-concluded Lagos Architects’ Forum.

    Nigerite’s product application architect Mr. Jesse Onovre said though Kalsi Craft is a ceiling board, it could be used as a 3D wall partitioning.

    “The product is a way to make the market more dynamic in addition to some of the ceiling boards that we already have. It is called Kalsi craft. It can be used in different colours but it doesn’t come painted or pre-textured, you are at liberty to texture or paint it to your taste,” he said, adding that Kalsi products have some advantages over traditional masonry construction.

    He further said the product was designed to cater for those that require affordable building construction materials without compromising on quality, especially  because it is affordable; not for the high-end market although it can conveniently fit into that segment.

    Some of its products on display at forum included Alurr-shingles, Siniat-plaster board, light gauge steels truss systems, dry wall integrated building solutions.

    Others were Crowntile for roof covering; Ultra span steel profile for roof truss, Kalsi parts for external and internal walls, Kalsi Ceil for internal ceiling and Fascia Board.

    Onovre noted that investment in dry construction should be encouraged because of it reduces construction timeframe when using the brick and mortar technology.

  • Nigerite to restrategise

    Nigerite to restrategise

    Building solutions provider, Nigerite, said it is restrategising to remain ahead of competition and ensure more visibility for its numerous products range.

    As part of the strategy, the firm says it is commencing aggressive merchandising at its distributors outlets in the Southwest.

    Its Marketing Communications and Research Manager, Mr. Victor Jolaoso, explained that the decision to embark on merchandising is to maintain top–of-the mind awareness while also ensuring constant and consistent visibility for the brands at the point of purchase.

    “We want to improve products visibility and brand awareness at the distributors’ point of sale so that our customers can easily differentiate our products from that of the competitors,” Jolaoso said.

     

    To achieve this, accredited distributors and sales agents, he explained, would be engaged and trained by brand executives on how to promote the Nigerite brands at their point of sales terminals. Similarly, all trade partners involved in the handling of Nigerite products are to be trained. This, he said, is aimed at enabling distributors/trade partners understand the metrics of brand building and awareness which will ultimately lead to improved demand and customer affinity for its products.

    “As the brand owner, the training will help our distributors/trade partners understand the metrics of brand building and awareness which will lead to improved demand and customer affinity for our products and services,”Jolaoso enthused.

    Meanwhile, plans have also been concluded plans to honour long-serving distributors of the company for their loyalty and sustained patronage over the years. The company which has been in operations in the last 56 years, The Nation gathered, initiated this move as a way of rewarding the trade partners who have been part of its success stories in the years gone by.

    “They are key stakeholders of our success story. They have consistently helped to achieve our sales objectives and business expansion over the years. We are majorly rewarding our long time distributors that have been with us over the years,” Jolaoso revealed, adding that the award will help boost the brand equity as it adds to customer life time value.

  • Nigerite opens Kalsi Experience centre

    Nigerite opens Kalsi Experience centre

    Nigerite Limited has inaugurated a Kalsi Experience Centre at its corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The structure, a storey, offers a glimpse into the dry construction system compared with the traditional brick and mortar (wet) process.

    Apart from the foundation of the building, which was done with the wet process, the other parts comprising the floors, claddings, partitions, along with the internal and external walls and ceilings, comprise the Kalsi building boards.

    “Let’s journey to the future of the country,” Frank Le Bris, Nigerite’s managing director, said adding that the use of Kalsi board solutions is a step in the right direction.

    He said the board solution is the future of Nigerite and the building industry in Nigeria.

    While insisting that the Kalsi boards are not intended to displace the wet methods but to complement and create an alternative for builders, the company, however, stressed that the advantages of the boards over the traditional methods are endless, as it can save up to 70 per cent of construction time.

  • Nigerite shows off its refurbished reception

    Nigerite has unveiled its refurbished reception made through dry construction.

    The firm’s Head of Dry Construction Business Unit, Mr. Wale Ogungbe, said the launch was to showcase the application of Kalsi products in dry construction, especially as it applies to building and construction.

    Besides, he said the refurbished reception office would serve as a testimony to stakeholders, and create more awareness for the Kalsi brand as well as demonstrate that Kalsi can be used to compliment, build and remodel already existing buildings and open area offices.

    Nigerite’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Abayomi Lawal, said: “Dry construction initiative is an on-going initiative which has already been introduced but is only being launched. It is part of fulfilling a long term vision to be seen as a solutions provider to enable consumers build the whole or different building components in the most modern way.”

    He also said so far, Nigerite has trained distributors, carpenters and technicians on the use of dry construction especially in combination with the traditional building construction methods.

    Also, distributors were promised a new point of sales to display the new product. The company, he added, has organised similar campaigns to explain the advantages of Kalsi dry construction.

    Kalsi Floors are cement boards used for sub-floor applications in houses, apartments and lightweight commercial buildings. They are also suitable solutions for false-floor applications to conceal services in buildings. It can be finished with marble, granite, ceramic, or any other finishing material of choice.

  • LASTVEB partners Nigerite to train teachers

    Ten teachers from the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) were taught dry construction at the Nigerite Limited, a building component construction company, last Friday.

    The teachers, drawn from the five Government Technical Colleges across the state, were exposed to the theoretical and practical aspects of dry construction technology, which can be used to complement the wet method in constructing buildings.

    Executive Secretary of LASTVEB, Mr Olawumi Gasper, said the training was a product of the board’s partnership with Nigerite, underscoring the importance of college-industry partnership in Technical and Vocational Education Training.

    He said: “This is part of our college-industry partnership.  Nigerite is a very strong partner for LASTVEB.  Apart from putting together for us structures where we have a centre for construction and building technology at the GTC, Ikorodu, Nigerite has gone further to say there is a need to take the teachers out; for them to have industrial feel; need for them to come and appreciate the recent technology in the area of building construction.

    “It’s all about strong college partnership.  Remember I keep telling us that there is no way we can run technical education without the support of the industry.  We would be deceiving ourselves.  There must be a strong bond with the industry and that is what you’ve seen us do all around.”

    Gasper, an engineer, added that the board intentionally chose 10 young construction teachers to put in place an adequate succession plan when the older teachers retire.

    “We selected the young trainers so, we are starting (to train them); it is a complete reform.  We are not saying the old ones are not good, but we want to get the young trainers, get them properly fit so that these old ones when they hand over, the young trainers would be able to continue,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Lanre Ashaolu, Brand Ambassador, Nigerite Ltd, said the skills the teachers would gain from the one-day workshop would enable them better prepare their students for the labour market.

    “This collaboration with LASTVEB is to increase the quality of labour and also serve as train the trainers’ programme.  Because we believe that if the teachers are trained, they will be able to train students in their various government technical colleges.  At the end of the day when those students are empowered, they can gainfully apply their skills in the labour market as solution providers or installers in the dry construction market,” he said.

  • Nigerite unveils special ceiling

    The Marketing Director of Nigerite Limited, Mr Toyin Gbede, has reiterated the company’s commitment to quality products. This, he said, is in tandem with the firm’s drive to sustain its new vision of being the number one market leader in the sector.

    This has led to the introduction of  Klassik Ceil, a four by four feet ceiling, and Nigerite Prestige.

    The Klassik Ceil was unveiled last week to distributors, carpenters and customers in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ilorin and some other parts of Southwest.

    He said the new product is a child of surveys by the company whose result revealed the preference of the market for three types of pattern, making Nigerite to specially manufacture three pattern machines for that purpose.

    “Although Klassik Ceil emerged the most loved during the survey, it was the one we found most challenging in terms of coming up with the pattern machine. It is the first ceiling product of that size and it comes in white and grey colour. It can also be combined with prestige and plain,” Gbede said.