National Supply eyeing major MoBay expansion

National Supply Company, renowned as a supplier of industrial equipment, has acquired a property near its current location at Catherine Hall, in Montego Bay, and will be establishing a state-of-the-art facility there within the next five years.

The company, which opened its door for business in western Jamaica almost seven years ago, currently occupies rented space at the Trade Centre in the western city.

"When you look at the whole range of products we offer, I would prefer to say we are the most comprehensive in what we offer," said Donovan Chen-See, director of sales and marketing for National Supply. "I think that we have done well and, therefore, the acquisition of our own property and our plans going forward is simply a testimony of our confidence in western Jamaica."

"Currently, 20 per cent of the firm's business passes through this location, so western Jamaica is very important to us," noted Chin-See.

National Supply, which started in 1980, currently has its main office at 60 Constant Spring Road in St Andrew. It has more than 150,000 square feet of office space, housing a state-of-the-art One Source Industrial Hardware Centre, which consists of merchandise and customer service departments, administration offices, a warehouse, training facilities, a showroom, and a service centre.

Chin-See says the new facility would provide a new experience for clients from as far as Ocho Rios in St Ann.

"There is a decent pool of construction contractors working in the western region, especially the hotel industry, and we have established ourselves as the source of their equipment needs," stated Chin-See. "... but while we seek to offer the best, this does not mean that the best is the most expensive. It means that when you spend your money, you will get the best value."

The establishment has a staff complement of 76 highly trained people, with eight of them at the current Montego Bay location.

National Supply, which has established philanthropic ties in Kingston by sponsoring the Urban Knights basketball team, has also made a mark in Montego Bay, sponsoring the Montego Bay Boys & Girls' Club basketball and netball team.

"It is simply an indication of our intention in the communities in which we operate, and we do get involved in a lot of stuff, but this is how we were brought up ... . We must give back," said Chin-See.