Vinod Patel and Company Ltd
Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd. is a leading company based in the Fiji Islands and is among the largest hardware and building materials companies in the South Pacific region[1]. The company was founded in April 1962 and is part of the Vinod Patel Group (VPG), the largest conglomerate in Fiji.
Products[edit]
With the tagline of “Complete Home & Building Solutions”, Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd. offers more than 25,000 items under various categories, including hardware, building materials, plumbing & sanitaryware, power tools, paints, tiles & flooring, industrial equipment, electrical, homeware and gardening. VPCL offers products from more than 70 leading brands worldwide. The company’s repertoire includes products from some of the largest and most well-respected brands across the world.
Branches & Sales Offices[edit]
Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd. has a number of branches/sales offices, strategically located covering the greater part of the Fiji Islands.
Central Region[edit]
- CenterPoint
- Suva
- Nabua
- Nausori
- Pacific Harbor
- Korovou
Western Region[edit]
- Lautoka
- Nadi
- Ba
- Sigatoka
- Rakiraki
- Tavua
Northern Region[edit]
- Labasa
- Taveuni
Online Store[edit]
Apart from brick and mortar outlets, the company has an ecommerce store from where its vast range of products can be purchased online. To ease search, the range of products are categorized according to their utility and brand, as well as criteria such as:
- Featured Products
- New Arrivals
- Bestsellers
- Inspirational Ideas
The company also categorizes products according to the different deals and discounts, under categories like:
- Hot Deals
- Priced to Go
- Clearance Zone
- Everyday Low Low Price
Employees & Work Culture[edit]
Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd. is a prominent employer in the Fiji Islands, with more than 1,300 people employed in different locations. The company’s culture is “equal opportunity to all employees”.
History[edit]
Vinod Patel & Co Ltd. is a family-run business named after Vinod Patel, the eldest brother in the family and founder of the company. Vinod Patel was born in Ba Town in Fiji on February 28, 1939. This Fiji-Indian businessman is a politician, soccer administrator, councilor and Mayor of the Town of Ba. At the age of 16, Vinod Patel left school to supplement his family's financial situation. He was joined by his younger brother, Umakant Patel, after a few months, who also left school to help the family. The brothers initially worked at hardware stores in Ba and nearby towns. This gave them the idea of starting their own business in the same industry.
Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd. was established in April 1962, with the first store being inaugurated in Ba Town. The company opened its second branch in Rakiraki in 1965, the very first hardware store of the town. The business kept on expanding over the years, as more brothers joined the workforce.
On January 9, 2017, Mr. Vinod Patel was honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) by the Hon’ble President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, for his outstanding achievements and remarkable service to the Town of Ba and unmatched contribution in the field of sports, education, religion, community health, and local and national governments.[2]
Associate Companies[edit]
Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd. has the following associate companies, which are all part of the larger Vinod Patel Group umbrella:
Vinod Patel Works Ltd.: Vinod Patel Works Limited (VPWL) is a leading provider of a complete range domestic and commercial cabinetry, joinery and stone related services. The company also offers services like restorations, renovations, resort type fit-outs, along with supply and installation of escalators, lifts and air conditioners.
Ba Industries Limited: Ba Industries Limited is a leading supplier of nails and fencing products. The company also provides roller shuttles and various tools. The company produces and sells only Fiji-made products to encourage employment in Fiji.[3]
Metframe: Metframe is a trusted manufacturer of steel roofing products, house frames and galvanized pipes and tubes. All these products are designed and made in Fiji. Its roofing products include roofing sheets, flashings & gutters, purlins and cladding profiles.[4]
Oceanic Gas: Oceanic Gas is a leading gas company, located in the Pacific Islands. It provides an extensive range of high-quality gases, along with welding and safety products. It has several branches and a very strong manufacturing and distribution network. More than 70 employees work in this company throughout Fiji & Samoa. The company fulfills the gas requirements of all its customers, based on their individual needs.[5]
Pacific Cement Limited: Pacific Cement Limited is the largest supplier of cement and related services. The company produces two types of cement, general purpose Portland cement and general-purpose blended cement. Its grinding cement plant boasts a capacity of more than 215,000 tones in a year. It was established in 1961 and was formerly known as Fiji Industries Limited. Fiji Industries Limited jointly owns Pacific Cement Limited with Fijian Holdings Limited.[6]
Tubemakers: Tubemakers is the most reliable manufacturer and supplier of high-quality pipes and fittings to Fiji's domestic plumbing market. The company was established in 1986. Its vast range of products includes high-quality uPVC, mPVC and Polyethylene pipes and fittings.[7]
Vinod Patel Foundation[edit]
The Vinod Patel Foundation is a trust that was established by the Vinod Patel Group to help and support poor, frail, elderly and disabled women. In their Home of Compassion, a sustainable, modern and client-driven approach is used to care for ageing people. Vinod Patel Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work and making a difference in the lives of people. It supports the people of Fiji during unexpected hardship and at the same time celebrate with them in times of remembrance and achievement. The aim is to keep older people active and healthy, while helping them to live life to the fullest. Vinod Patel Foundation is also dedicated to supporting human lives and helping them re-flourish after a natural disaster or mishap.
Initiatives[edit]
In July 2018, Vinod Patel Home and Living opened a branch in Ross Street, Nausori. Nausori Town Council head Aktar Ali commended the company for its bold step, saying, “The bigger store will not only benefit the business community but will also be accommodating 200,000 people living within the Nausori locality.”[8]
The company sponsored prizes worth $5,000 for the Agriculture Award as part of the Fiji Development Bank’s 2017 National Small and Medium Enterprise Awards[9]
In February 2016, the Vinod Patel Foundation pledged $250,000 worth of corrugated roofing irons (galvalume) and screws to the Prime Minister’s relief and rehabilitation fund for supporting the community after the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston. The company also donated $150,000 worth of building material to its cyclone affected employees.[10]
In November 2014, Vinod Patel & Co. Ltd. Invested around $30 million in various infrastructure and other economic development projects.[11]
Among the other initiatives of the company are Blood Drive, Cleaner and Safer Fiji, the Movember campaign, Old Age Home and Save the Children campaign.
References[edit]
- ↑ "About Vinod Patel". Vinod Patel Official Website.
- ↑ "Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2017". Ministry of Internal Affairs, Government of India.
- ↑ "Nail and Fencing Products Supplier". Ba Industries, Fiji.
- ↑ "Manufacturer of Steel Roofing Products, House Frames and Galvanized Pipes & Tubes". Metframe.
- ↑ "Home and Industrial Gas Supplier". Oceania Gas Limited.
- ↑ "Manufacturer of Premium Cement". Pacific Cement.
- ↑ "Manufacturer and Supplier of Pipes and Fittings". Tube Makers, Fiji.
- ↑ "New Home and Living Shopping Experience For Nausori Residents". Fiji Times.
- ↑ "Vinod Patel Backs FDB Initiative on Business". Fiji Sun.
- ↑ "Vinod Patel Helps With Building Materials". Fiji Sun.
- ↑ "Vinod Patel Confirms 30 Million Investment". Fiji Sun.
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