$1m Kasabias investment creates 20 jobs in Labasa

Kasabias Pte Limited has invested more than $1 million in a second Labasa outlet, creating 20 new employment opportunities for residents of the Northern Division.

The new shop, located at Lot 41, Naseakula Road, beside the Labasa Butcher (PTE) Limited building and opposite Milestone Autoparts, was officially opened yesterday by Tui Labasa Ratu Jone Qomate and Kasabias Pte Limited chairman Hasmukh Patel.

Kasabias national manager retail, marketing, information technology and customer service Nitinesh Chandra said the investment reflected the company's commitment to the Northern Division.

“This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to the Northern Division and includes infrastructure development, inventory expansion, operational resources and staffing to better serve our growing customer base in the North,” Mr Chandra said.

“With the opening of our second Labasa branch, we now have 10 retail outlets across Fiji; eight in Viti Levu (Suva, Samabula, Nasinu, Nausori, Navua, Sigatoka, Nadi and Lautoka) and two in Vanua Levu, allowing us to serve customers across a much wider area.”

He said both of the company's Vanua Levu branches were located in Labasa, strengthening its ability to serve customers throughout the island.

Strong Northern demand

Having operated in Labasa for almost a year, Mr Chandra said Kasabias was encouraged by the strong support it had received from customers throughout Vanua Levu.

“The positive response from homeowners, contractors, businesses and Government stakeholders demonstrated the need for greater capacity and accessibility within the Northern market,” he said.

“The opening of this new outlet is a natural progression of our growth strategy and reflects our confidence in the region.

“It allows us to improve product availability, enhance customer service, reduce turnaround times, and provide more convenient access to quality hardware and building supplies for customers across the North.”

He said the investment also reinforced the company's long-term commitment to the people and communities of the Northern Division.

Products and services

The new branch will provide hardware, building materials, tools, paints, plumbing products, electrical items, bathroom and sanitary fittings, door hardware, home-improvement products and other construction-related products.

The outlet will cater to homeowners, tradespeople, contractors and businesses.

The new outlet's trading hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturday.

“Our message to the people of the North is a big thank you for the support and trust you have shown Kasabias,” Mr Chandra said.

“We are here for the long term and this second Labasa branch represents our commitment to bringing our products, service and building solutions even closer to you.

“We invite everyone from homeowners and DIY customers to builders, contractors and businesses to visit us, meet our team and allow us to be part of your next project.”

Kasabias' roots in Fiji go back to a family partnership formed in the 1950s, with the business formally operating as H.P. Kasabia Bros Ltd from 1968 after starting in Ba.