NewWorld will be welcoming more Fijians into the renowned company soon. This follows the groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s $45million Centralised Distribution Centre at Wairabetia in Lautoka yesterday by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

The 60,000 square metres land belongs to the Tokatoka Korovatu, Yavusa Koi Vuda. NewWorld Chairman, Pravin Patel said when operational, the centre would supply 19 of the company’s own stores and many other smaller stores around the country including the outer islands.

Mr Patel said NewWorld employed approximately 1200 Fijians with more than half being women.

An artistic impression of the NewWorld’s Central Distribution Centre

“Upon completion, this new Centralized Distribution Centre will further streamline the delivery of our products to our stores and we will be welcoming a further 100 plus Fijians into our NewWorld family,” he said.

Today we carry approximately 18,000 items including fresh produce, meats, groceries and general merchandise.

“Out of that we have over 3000 products that are exclusive to NewWorld and NewWorld IGA. We also support a lot of local farmers and meat producers.”

He said the ground-breaking ceremony showed the company’s commitment to all Fijians.

“Despite the recent setback with the pandemic, we are undertaking this venture because as a company we have great confidence in the strength of our economy and the stability of our leadership but most significant of all, NewWorld takes great pride in the resilience and strength in all Fijians through these challenging times but we know better times are ahead,” Mr Patel added.

Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony of the NewWorld Central Distribution Centre in Wairabetia. Photo: DEPTFO News

The A-G acknowledged the company for having the confidence and willingness to invest. He said the long-term strategy of the company led it to where it was today.

“In any company to be successful, any organization to be successful, any Government to be successful you need to be able to have a game plan, you need to be able to think beyond your nose, you need to have a long term strategy in place,” said the A-G.

“The directors of this company of course can testify the need to have a vision, the founders of this company of course had a vision, they wanted to have a successful business they grew as a small business and today they have now partnered with IGA.”

He added that Fiji was able to bounce back following the COVID-19 pandemic because of the very strong and decisive leadership decisions that were made.

The centre’s warehouse is expected to be completed in the next 15 months while the company’s central office, central bakery, and an open area for the staff will be completed in the next year or so.

The new Distribution Centre layout will be based on the best practices developed by their partner, Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA), USA.

Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.fj