Has no intention of cutting jobs
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MANAGING DIRECTOR of RAMS Trading Company Limited, Kishu Chandiramani said that while his company had experienced a very challenging and difficult year in 2010, they have no plans in cutting jobs.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes Business, Chandiramani said his company has also sought to create employment rather than sending people home.
“We have been working very hard so as to safeguard people’s jobs and that is why we have been creating employment rather than sending home employees,” he said, adding that in order to ensure employees keep their jobs management was forced to seek ways of diversification.
Chandiramani pointed out that with a staff of 550, management had to venture into a number of sectors to ensure sustainability of his company. He said that he foresees a very challenging 2011, noting that it would be the Federation’s most difficult economic year owing to a number of issues.
He admitted that while there is cause for concern, he intends to weather the storm by finding innovative and creative measures to ensure that his supermarket remains viable.
The Managing Director is of the view that some businesses have not implemented the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, and that certain business owners are importing goods and not adhering to the government’s regulations. This, he claimed, has resulted in some persons being able to offer their goods at a cheaper price.
He noted that because of their daily opening, long hours of work and a family-oriented employee system, the Chinese businesses are able to offer certain goods at prices lower than their competitors.
“I can’t operate like how the Chinese operate, as they run their business like family. I have employees and while the Chinese do not have the overheads and number of staff that I do, they open seven days a week. I intend to continue remaining closed on Sundays, as I believe that it’s a day for families,” he said.
In furtherance of his views concerning VAT and other new taxes, Chandiramani said some business owners are beating the system due to a weak customs’ system in Nevis.
“You have some people who will bring their goods through Nevis, and knowing the very weak customs situation there, these businesses benefit,” he said.
Chandiramani admitted that because of his upbringing and strong religious persuasions he would continue to support the many non-government and community-based organisations he has been supporting over the years. He noted that his company supports these entities because he believes they are all playing an integral part in helping to mould and shape the lives of people in order to enhance their contributions to society.
He reiterated his commitment to these groups, noting that every business should give back in some way to the community.
“We at RAMS have been giving and will continue to give, for while we do not make noise as to what we do we believe that a number of individuals have benefited and so we would want to continue this trend so that others can benefit as well,” he said.
Chandiramani also spoke about the various partnerships that his company has established with a number of other organisations. He declared that it is not all about making money but ensuring they could give something back.
“That is why I will continue to say that I will continue to remain close on Sundays, as it should not only be about how much money that one makes but rather on how it is spent,” he said.
Commenting on the success of his business, Chandiramani was high in praise of his late uncle who founded the company which is almost eight decades old.
“I have only been here for 54 years now, but my uncle was the one who got the company started some 75 years ago,” Chandiramani said.
He attributed the growth, development and continued success of the company to his wife, four daughters and three sons-in-law.
“I have been very fortunate to have a wife who has stood by my side and has worked along with me in whatever venture I have chosen to enter. I have been also blessed with four daughter and three very good sons-in-law who are all working with the company. In any business family is very important, and having my family involved has helped,” he revealed.
Chandiramani said he would continue to collaborate and partner with a number of stakeholders in an effort to ease the effects of the harsh economic impact, adding that “while I am a businessman, I am very concerned about the sufferings and difficulties that many people of this country continue to face”.
