Doodnauth aims to be major furniture manufacturer

(As part of observances for its 30th anniversary, Stabroek News will be reproducing snippets from its earlier years on page four of each day’s newspaper.) Many youngsters nowadays are opting out of well-paid jobs in the public and private sectors and opening small businesses where they can be self-employed and at the same time earn a decent living. Many such ventures have grown into big businesses over the years through good management. Some, however, have failed.

One man who is committed to making a success out of a business he started in 1982 is Doodnauth Sahadeo.

Doodnauth, of Bel Air, Greater Georgetown, was born in a family which earned its livelihood through making and selling wooden furniture.

He left school in 1974 and landed a job as a bond clerk at Lyson’s Knitwear. After a few years, he left and went to Suriname where he was involved in an accident. He was in bed for the next eight months nursing his injuries. When he recovered fully, he returned to Guyana and worked with the now defunct, GUYCAB, a local construction firm. During his three-year stint there, Doodnauth was able to advance his technical skills in woodworking. He left in 1982, and opened a furniture and upholstery workshop.

Immediately after establishing his workshop, Doodnauth was able to secure contracts with a number of leading businesses in Georgetown. His top quality products were able to attract the eyes of the buying public, and very soon, demands for his products far outstripped his production capacity. It was time for him to expand.

He could not have raised enough finance on his own to expand so he sought advice from the Guyana Manufacturing and Industrial Development Agency [GUYMIDA]. Personnel there prepared a project profile and referred him to the Institute of Small Enterprise Development [ISED]. Doodnauth received his first loan from ISED in 1990. With the loan he was able to buy a lathe, power saw, chilling and sanding machines, a cross-cut saw and several hand tools. He is presently contemplating a second loan to purchase a generating set to alleviate the problems associated with the ever-present power outages which, he claims, are having an adverse effect on his business.

Other problems for Doodnauth are delinquent customers who, after making a part-payment and receiving their goods, do not turn up to settle their accounts, and the high prices of woods used in the business.

Doodnauth boasted that he and his two fulltime employees can manufacture any type of wooden furniture. However, the most popular items are wardrobes, vanities, cabinets, television stands, beds, dinette sets and coffee tables. However, all items are manufactured on orders for a wide and varied clientele.

The small entrepreneur disclosed that he plans to expand his business and increase production with the help of the ISED. Said he: “I would like to be one of the biggest furniture manufacturers in the country in the next few years.” Hundreds of commuters with a few vehicles among them in the T&HD pontoon yesterday morning as it was mooring alongside the Georgetown ferry stelling after a run from Vreed-en-Hoop. Some passengers are seen disembarking from the vessel before it was properly tied, and the stage for walking onto the stelling, put in place. There is no cover for passengers and no rails or life jackets or other safety equipment.