PETER SLACK - r Hobbies - travel, bush walking, golf, diving, rugby and reading r Ambition in life - To learn more about Fiji’s culture and traditional past and to learn to speak the French Language. r Inspiration - My three children -- all qualified, happy and successful. r Most passionate about - ssisting on the conservation of Fiji’s unique environment especially the Soga Palm r Best advice ever received - “It’s more fun making money than spending it” - My father in 1975 r Biggest achievement most proud of - Investing in Fiji Real Estate in 2003 r Skills or qualities wish I had - Able to play piano and keyboard, speed reading, more patience. r Most valued possession - “My health is my wealth.” r Person I would most like to meet - Neil Armstrong (First Man on the Moon)
Compiled by RACHNA LAL
Welcome to Hard Talk, where we pose questions to both top executives and budding entrepreneurs on some of the major issues involving business.
Decades ago, we used to have thatched roofs for our houses but today, rarely anyone uses this.
There are resorts in Fiji now however, who use thatching as a means to add a bit of traditions touch to their structures.
Palmex Oceania (Fiji) Limited has been operating for just over 12 months and is the exclusive Fiji Distributor of Palmex Synthetic Thatching manufactured by Palmex International Inc in Canada.
Palmex International Inc is currently the world leader in the production and distribution of synthetic palm leaves used in the construction and renovation of traditional thatch roofing.
Palmex Synthetic Thatching is a man-made product that will last for 50 years or more.
Palmex Oceania (Fiji) Limited have an office and warehouse in both Suva and Denarau and provide the complete supply and installation service for both private and commercial needs.
Successful installations of Palmex Synthetic Thatching:
l Likuliku Lagoon Resort
l Sofitel Resort and Spa
l Radisson Resort and Spa
l Wyndham Vacation Resort
l Toberua Island Resort
l Holiday Inn Syva
l Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji
l International School, Suva
l Musket Cove Marina and Spa
l Australian High Commission, Suva
l Port Denarau Marina
Questions for Peter Slack, director of Palmex Oceania (Fiji) Limited:
1. Twelve months in operations here, how is the business doing?
After a relatively slow start, Palmex Oceania (Fiji) Limited has gradually grown. Every completed installation of Palmex Synthetic Thatching is receiving glowing testimonials and our clients are appreciating the product’s 100 per cent waterproofness which requires absolutely no maintenance.
2. Fiji is a country which has thatching materials readily available so a business venture here would have been quite risky – but a risk you took nevertheless. Why the decision to invest here?
Fiji has traditionally used Soga Palm Leaves for roof thatching. Unfortunately because of the huge demand for Soga for use by Hotels and Resorts in Fiji over the last 20 years, the Soga Palm is now an endangered species.
Indeed, currently there are only a small number of isolated stands of the Soga Palm being managed and protected by Rivers Fiji in the Upper Navua Conservation Area.
We at Palmex Oceania (Fiji) Limited are committed to preserving Fiji’s unique natural ecosystems and by providing an environmentally friendly alternative roofing material to service the needs of tourist resorts, hotels and private homeowners.We believe the demand for Soga Thatching will greatly diminish and thereby allow the Soga Palm to once again be sustainably managed.
Based on the growing demand for synthetic thatching throughout the world, we undertook considerable research over two years on whether the product would be a success in the Fiji islands.
As with all businesses, we considered the risks and the possibility of failure but we were encouraged by many resort and hotel owners that synthetic thatching was the perfect product for Fiji. So, on that basis we imported our first container of material from our Canadian manufacturers.
3. Which sectors have generated a lot of interest for your products?
Many of the resorts and hotels in Fiji have shown interest in Palmex Synthetic Thatching because once it is installed, it provides a 100 per cent waterproof, maintenance free and aesthetically pleasing roof with a life span of over 50 years.
4. Which other sectors could use your products?
We are now approaching the Government, City Councils and Social Clubs to install Palmex Synthetic Thatching on their Buildings where they want to provide an aesthetically pleasing thatched roof which is so commonly reflected in traditional Fijian architecture.
We have a fire retardant option available for use in public areas which greatly reduces the risk of vandalism and damage.
5. What sort of challenges are you facing?
Palmex Synthetic Thatching is a man-made product that will last for 50 years or more. The biggest challenge is an environmental one and the need to protect and conserve the Fiji Soga Palm is now extremely urgent.
We have joined forces with NatureFiji Mareqeti, the only domestic NGO working solely for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji’s natural heritage.
6. What is the difference between your product and other similar products already available locally?
Palmex Synthetic Thatching is the premium synthetic thatching in the World. It is made from industrial strength materials some of which have been re-cycled. We provide a 20 year written warranty on the product and its lifespan is over 50 years.
It is quickly and easily installed and has a certified wind resistance to 170km/hour. Indeed, our Palmex Synthetic Thatching withstood the full force of Cyclone Evan last December when gusts of up to 270kms/hour were experienced on Denarau Island. We did not lose one leaf or sustain any damage on any of our installations.
7. Are there any other areas of investment you are looking at?
We are fully committed to expanding our business at the moment and working with NatureFiji Mareqeti to protect the Soga Palm. However, we are always looking for other areas of investment in Fiji and would welcome any approaches from suitably interested investors.