Jack’s grows with Fiji
Friday, February 17, 2014
Fiji Times
WHEN Jekishan Khatri started his handicraft and souvenir shop in Nadi 35 years ago, he probably did not imagine Jack’s Handicraft would become a household name.
But when son Dilip and later his younger siblings Raju and Kirit took over, they worked hard to expand the business, which has now diversified into several sectors.
These include retail, restaurants, manufacturing, construction and garments.
Yesterday, the company relaunched itself as Jack’s of Fiji to mark the expansion of their business.
What started off with two employees has grown to provide jobs for almost 800 people across Fiji.
“Today, we are a diverse company with 17 stores, a construction and manufacturing plant, a garment factory, four restaurants and a workforce of almost 800,” managing director Dilip Khatri said at the company’s relaunching at its downtown Suva shop.
“With first class people joining us over the years, we have created what we believe today is a truly world class organisation,” Mr Khatri said.
“An organisation that we are all so very proud of. We have grown with our nation.
“As Fiji has grown and positioned itself as a leading player in the Pacific and a wondrous destination for world travellers, so we have grown meeting the expectations and demands of increasingly sophisticated visitors and markets both in Fiji and abroad.
“We have a presence here in Fiji that is quickly being matched by our online presence in the world.
“We are a strong and proud group.
“And we begin communicating this today, through a new look with a new style, and a bold new direction, which signals our confidence in our future and the future of Fiji as the nation in which we develop and prosper,” Mr Khatri said.
Jack’s Handicraft first branched out from Nadi in 1983 when they opened a new shop in Sigatoka.
Their first hotel shop was opened at the Sheraton Resort in 1997 followed by a second one in Suva in 1999.
The interest in restaurants began in 1993 with the opening of Chefs.
The manufacturing and construction business started in 2001.
“We have built two houses in Denarau and our Lautoka store and all the refurbishment in our Suva store, we have done it ourselves except for the airconditioning,” Mr Khatri said.
The company has also acquired a lumber company after buying out GP Reddy Lumber Company.
Three years ago, Jack’s purchased what is now called Little India.
About the future, Mr Khatri said they were looking at opening a new shop and restaurant at the Denarau Marine complex in June and another four stores.
However, their construction company was expected to record the biggest growth.
“Our success has been due to the fact that we work as a team, we have no differences,” Mr Khatri said.
Vice president Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi applauded the efforts of the Khatri family saying they were very humble and did not publicly parade their achievements
