Page 31 - IB AUG 2017

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Explore the unknown

By Nanise Loanakadavu and a lot of brainstorming to ensure that
when we put our product on to the mar-
YOU think of what you want to be and ket, it’s the best of what can be available
they will take you to the unknown. currently.”
That’s exactly what a prominent sports The new BLK Pearl Resort shop will
apparel manufacturer and distributor in employ two staff members, but “it is
Fiji — Beyond Limits Known (BLK) - is progressing towards the future and will
doing-making their apparel affordable. definitely increase numbers as it grows”.
BLK started off as a world rugby special-
ist, but over the years they have evolved BLK, renown for its sporting apparel, is expanding. Sponsorship
as inclusive suppliers for other apparel. Photo: Supplied As a profit organisation that specialises
The company is all about empowering in November last year. in sporting apparel, they have also signed
people to be the best, exploring the un- Gukisuva said : “We are now 50 per cent a deal with a football club in Portugal
known, creating partnerships in achieving owned between an investor from Fiji and and the West Indies cricket team earlier
the unknown and at the same time provide an investor from East Timor, now that we this year.
you the win apparel. have that local ownership, we can do a lot It is now branching out to other sport-
This year, BLK has taken its brand to together to comprehend the design and ing bodies. This year, BLK signed up with
another level. No longer confined to the the way we propose BLK to the market.” the top 10 Deans teams. It was also the
sports field, BLK manufactures casual The people in Labasa can be proud to preferred choice of secondary schools at
wear which includes distinctive Fijian de- know that BLK has its roots in the Friendly this year’s Coca Cola Games.
signs. North. BLK will for the first time roll out apparel
The company doesn’t compromise on “For sports lovers, they have interna- with school names but with the same qual-
quality. tional representation in almost all sports ity of what is supplied in the international
A research and development team - in rugby league, volleyball, rugby, bas- market.
works behind the scenes to design in- ketball, netball and all other sports in the Gukisuva said the aim was to bridge the
novative apparel. world that BLK has relationships with.” gap with consumers.
“BLK- Beyond Limits Known quality Currently the BLK factory employs 15 “We have brought out some local de-
is second to nothing and that can only local designers who act global but think signs and for the first time ever we also
be felt when they make it affordable for local and that is how they are producing have lifestyle vests that has Fiji printed on
people. With the increasing competition for the local market. it so the brand is for anyone and anyone
in the local apparel and textile industry, who can afford it,” he said.
quality is what sets BLK apart,” said BLK Outlets When someone walks in, they will see
Director Commercial and Marketing ,Liga BLK has outlets in Namaka, Labasa, the local content in our BLK stores, he
Gukisuva. Suva and Harvest Plaza in Kinoya, Nasinu. added.
“You can compete on the brand, price Last month, BLK launched its fifth outlet They are now rolling out apparel for
and design, but what separates BLK is at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour. some of the top schools in Fiji – Ratu Na-
the quality of the products we produce.” According to Gukisuva, this marks the vula, QVS, Jasper Williams, Adi Cakobau
first BLK retail outlet to be based in a School, Suva Grammar School among
Ownership tourist hot spot. others. “BLK, first of all in the interna-
BLK now has 50 per cent Fijian owner- “At the moment our current retail outlets tional arena, we are pretty well defined
ship. are in the main town areas, so this will be and established, anyone can relate to BLK
The company previously belonged to an the first one that we have in the tourism through our rugby sponsorship in Super
Australian-based company. market.” Rugby but when we come to locals, people
BLK was in partnership with an investor The new Pearl Resort outlet also serves think that we are an expensive brand,”
from East Timor. It was earlier reported BLK customers and clients around the Gukisuva explained.
that Esperança Timor Oan (ETO), a Timor- greater Pacific Harbour area and those in With the intention to reward achiev-
Leste based oil and energy company, between the Suva and Sigatoka corridor. ers, BLK is looking into the schools that
acquired the BLK business, brand and Apart from sports apparel, BLK is also reached the quarter-final in the Fiji Sec-
associated sub-brands from the World going into lifestyle. ondary Schools Deans competition.
Rugby Specialists (WRS) for an undis- This includes the Bula Fiji wear, the “We provide discounts and flexible
closed sum. Humble Tu Ga wear and the Fiji Bati life- terms with schools that place their orders
Reports say that ETO executive director style wear that was launched last month. in numbers.
Nilton Gusmão dos Santos said the acqui- People, he said, could place their orders “Our intention is to reward achievers.
sition was in line with the company’s plans at any of these outlets. “We set the platform that if you want to
to expand beyond the energy sector and BLK now has resort wear and marine be part of the BLK family, you first need
would enable BLK-recognised brands to wear-that reflect the local ownership. to perform, do the hard yards, achieve
be separated from the financial troubles of “We focus on our research and develop- results and be the best of what you want
WRS, which was placed into receivership ment and that itself takes a lot of planning to be,” he said.

Islands Business, August 2017 31