INDUSTRY NEWS

Winners do it now!

Having worked for a large stationery retailer for eight years, Richard used this time to garner wide-ranging experience in the workings of a very competitive sector.

With the knowledge gleaned and armed with a natural entrepreneurial flair, he decided to ‘take the plunge’ in 1987 and start his own business, Eagle Stationers. “This was only possible with the backing of my customers and the support of my family, as well as living by the motto, “WINNERS DO IT NOW!”, says Richard.

The business was initially founded in a small office in Escoval House in Smith Street, (now Anton Lembede) Street in Durban.

35 YEARS AND COUNTING

Eagle Stationers has now been in operation for 35 Years. “Initially, I had a staff compliment of only two employees and focused on only supplying office stationery, with great service being the main driver of the business,” Richard told us.

As the company grew, so did the staff compliment increase in line with this growth. Eagle Stationers currently have a staff compliment of 20 members. This expansion was not just in the customer and staff base, but critically in the basket of goods that they offered to meet the needs of their growing customer base – from purely focusing on stationery, they now offer a full range of office furniture, computer supplies as well as other office supplies such as groceries!

OWN BUILDING

Richard explained that they have clients that were with Eagle from inception and still support them to date.

He believes that this is partly due to a long professional relationship, but mainly as Eagle pride themselves on their unique service delivery - they offer a same day or next day delivery to their customers!

For Richard 2006 marked a momentous milestone both personally and professionally, as he purchased his own building, based in Morrison Street, from where they are currently operating.

PARTNERSHIP

“We at Eagle Stationers provide a world class delivery service and have plans to further enhance this service by improving our product offerings as well as strategically increase our inventory levels to meet our customers’ demands.

This improved and superior service will then drive further revenue growth and enable us to realise our biggest ambition, namely to open up a fullfledged showroom displaying our key furniture and office product range!” Richard elaborated on his vision.

In 2009 Eagle Stationers became a member of Office National Africa, which is the largest, independently owned commercial and retail provider of stationery, office furniture, business technology products as well as canteen and janitorial products. “This professional partnership enabled us to start building a national footprint as well as benefit from the buying power of a larger organisation, enabling us to offer our products at more competitive prices to our customers”, says Richard.

Eagle Stationers (now also known as Eagle Office National) has also received the PMR Africa Diamond Arrow Award 4 years in succession!

Richard Naidoo is one of the success stories of our industry. This friendly man started a small business which he has grown into a successful enterprise. SHOP-SA met up with Richard from Eagle Stationers in KZN recently and asked him about his business.

TEAM RISING TO THE CHALLENGES

“I think that the thing that has impressed me the most in my position over the years, is the teamwork that my staff has shown in meeting any challenges that arise, big or small, be it delivery and installing a furniture order in the timeline promised or ensuring that an urgent printing order is completed and delivered timeously”, he says.

It is this dedication and teamwork that also ensures that the business continues to grow from strength to strength. Another key saying that Richard firmly believes in is “Nothing ever remains the same, things are constantly changing”. This means that the team at Eagle Stationers must continue to look forward to the future and the changes with excitement and enthusiasm to the new challenges this will bring.

However, he confirmed that one thing will remain consistent: “Service is what we eat and sleep everyday – and this will never change!”. �