Caring and sharing
NARENDRA Pattundeen, the chairman of Palm Stationery Manufacturers, is passionate about education and philanthropy.
His company makes school stationery, including exercise books. Its headquarters are in Phoenix Industrial Park, north of Durban.
Having been involved in the educational sector, manufacturing school shoes, he said: “I saw an opportunity to become an important stakeholder in the supply of school materials.”
Born in Clairwood and schooled in Merebank, he completed his BCom degree at the University of Durban-Westville.
He joined his father’s shoe manufacturing business, Palm Footwear, and in 1995 they jointly founded Palm Stationery Manufacturers. The company now employs 400 people.
“My late father, Kassiepersad, was a great philanthropist. He instilled in us that we need to look after the people who do not have. When I was a boy, he used to take me to the Aryan Benevolent Homes, where I got into the habit of sharing. During my career with him, whatever money we made we always shared with people. I always looked for opportunities to help uplift the community.”
Pattundeen is involved in many charitable causes.
“I am involved with the Aryan Benevolent Homes. We looked at schools in need of educational material. We have adopted a creche in Chatsworth which is on the verge of closing because of funding issues.”
He recently donated soccer kits to a school.
“Nedbank gave me the honour of selecting a school to which we could donate soccer kits. I selected Ferndale Secondary School in Phoenix. The kit was made up of jerseys and shorts. My brother, who makes soccer boots, will supply the school with boots.”
Palm is one of the largest stationery manufacturers in the country.
“We differentiate ourselves by offering good prices. We offer ISO and SABS quality and have a clear sales and distribution strategy.
“We are not trying to be everything to everyone. For example, we do not deliver directly to schools or endusers. We focus mainly on government, independents and national retailers. Our clients appreciate that.”
Constantly upgrading their manufacturing capabilities has kept Palm relevant.
“If you are not upgrading your production, if your business is not seeking a competitive advantage through technology, you are really falling behind.
“For any manufacturing operation, the key is to maximise limited resources. By getting the fastest machines and most up-todate technology in the printing and bookmaking industry, we have a competitive advantage.
“Twelve years ago, there were 9 500 independent printers in our country. Now there are only 1 500. Electronic tablets have decimated the industry. I think the global bookmaking industry has a fight against technology – maybe not so much in South Africa yet as we have more pressing factors to look after before the exercise book becomes obsolete, such as libraries, ablution facilities, furniture, nutrition schemes and so on in schools.”
The Gauteng Department of Education has implemented a pilot project of tablets and e-readers for schools.
“Pupils were issued with 88 000 tablets. Electricity is a big problem, theft is another. A lot were stolen, but eventually things like that will be sorted out.
“Having fingerprint access or locking up for only educational use are possible solutions. It is a big worry, but we are concentrating on what we do and will have to change with the times. We have a strategy in place. We don’t think much will change here for the next 15 years.”