Jubilee Syringe to save forex, create more jobs – Kumral

At a time when the nation is striving to shore up the value of its currency, the naira, and stem the tide of youth unemployment, Chairman of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of the VKS Group, Mr. Onur Kumral says the company would through its operations address the above problems and more.

In the beginning

We are all familiar with the near trite expression that one must dare to conquer. The concept explains the courageous inroad VKS Group, a giant construction firm which debuted in Nigeria 3 years ago, but which today has through its subsidiary, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company veered into syringe manufacturing to meet the medical needs of sub-Sahara Africa even in the face of what has been acknowledged as global economic recession. In the words of the Chairman of Jubilee Syringe, Mr. Onur Kumral, “but for our company, VKS Group, we have to grow, even when many are complaining. We do not mourn about setbacks, we make steps to correct and prevent setbacks”. It is this type of daring that has made VKS Group different.

On change in the line of business

It is no longer news that by the turn of 2015, many businesses, especially of foreign origin had closed shop and left Nigeria. The fiscal policies which gave rise to volatile foreign exchange rates impinged severely on procurement of inputs by manufacturing concerns. Added to this mix was fear which bordered on the repatriation of funds by investors to their home country. What looked to them like impending doom arising from perceived rigid policies sent foreign investors into flight. But while they were going, VKS Group was considering how to make the best use of what many saw as a bad situation. It is a case of where others saw doom, Mr. Kumral saw opportunities.

Motivation to venture into a strange terrain

That show of courage and foresight is today the magnificent edifice sitting on 8,000 square metres land space as a factory and housing the first Syringe Manufacturing Company in Sub-Sahara Africa located in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. According to Kumral, “the year 2017 is the year we have chosen to bring industries to Nigeria. These we have started with Akwa Ibom State as our first destination”. On why they have chosen Akwa Ibom, the Managing Director maintained that “development comes by policies,” pointing out that Governor Udom Emmanuel has good policies for the sustainable development of the State. Mr. Onur Kumral stated that for the year 2017, Udom’s goals can be compared to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals despite the fact that it came long before that of United Nations. The Chairman said that it is that line of thinking that encouraged the establishment of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company in the State.

VKS Group, the parent company to Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company in its business decisions act like a global citizen. According to the Turkish born businessman, the company is not just contented with growing in construction. Hear him, “we want to go to other sectors and start taking action against recession. We always choose an enemy to win, and this year, our enemy is the recession. And we will win against the recession”. It is elementary economics to know that recession in Nigeria is occasioned by over-dependence on foreign items which correspondingly depletes our foreign exchange that comes only from oil. Of course, such dependence has indisputably blighted the nation’s economy. For Onur Kumral, stemming the tide of that foreign exchange depletion through the establishment of a factory that produces an item that forms part of the source of the loss is a task that must be done. In the face of the fact that the nation’s current population needs about 4 billion syringes annually, cutting such huge cost of foreign exchange would certainly help grow the economy of the country as such, cost would be saved to address other needs. Mr. Kumral posited that one of the ways to arrest the current economic drift is to produce in Nigeria to save foreign exchange.

The Syringe Manufacturing Company may not be the only investment VKS Group wants to establish in Nigeria and indeed, Akwa Ibom State. The Chairman stated that the company intends to bring more investments into the country. Hear him: “we intend to bring more investments into the country. Our confidence is in Udom Emmanuel and we are very attracted to his vision”.

As it is often said, it is the deep that calls to the deep. The business insight of Onur Kumral has encountered the insightful polices of the Udom Emmanuel administration thus necessitating a collaboration that is set to benefit Akwa Ibom people in particular and Nigerians in general.
Ownership structure
Even though Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company is 100% privately owned, with government’s contribution limited to the provision of land and security, Kumral lauded the Udom Emmanuel administration for the support the company has enjoyed. He said that they were inspired by the governor’s track record in financial institutions and the assurances he gave them. He lamented that the African continent is blessed with a lot of wealthy people who have unfortunately failed to see the huge potentials embedded in the continent. On how he intends to source for raw materials and manpower, the Turkish born business magnate said that the raw materials are produced by Petrochemical Companies in the country. For manpower, he said, “we believe in local manpower, we do not believe in bringing expatriates”.

Benefits to community

It must be mentioned that the company recently sent 12 Nigerians to Istanbul, Turkey, for training on Injection Moulding Machines, Maintenance of moulds and Quality Control. The selected Nigerians are strictly graduates of mechanical and electrical engineering. Plans are also afoot to send more Nigerians for training especially in the area of safety, packaging, printing and other pertinent areas.

The company which also hinted that it would commence syringe production in the State in August intends to kick start with a production capacity of between 350 to 400 million syringes annually. It also plans to expand its production capacity to about 1 billion syringes annually by 2018. Upon this attainment, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company would overtake the only syringe manufacturing company in Africa which is in South Africa. That company has a production capacity of only 93 million syringes annually. With such development, Nigeria would be on the medical equipment manufacturing calendar as the largest syringe manufacturing company in Africa. Thanks to daring on the part of Onur Kumral and the integrity on the part Governor Udom Emmanuel.

What role would Akwa Ibom people play in such historic attainment? Apart from coming into social reckoning through the feat, one cannot lose sight of the myriad of business opportunities that the commencement of manufacturing activities at Jubilee Syringe Factory would create. VKS Group, the parent company has not left anyone in doubt as to its corporate social responsibility and its willingness to give Nigerians due stake in their ventures.

Employment/other benefits

Its employment history stands out impressively. In 2015, VKS grew and gave employment to 250 Nigerians. In 2016, it upped the ante to 750. The Chairman has pledged that the target of the company is to give jobs to 2,000 Nigerians. At Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, it is envisaged that between 200 to 250 persons would be engaged at commencement of business with room for more people to join upon expansion. Other ancillary activities with the attendant economy boom which always predictably sequel developments of that like would add up to the prosperity ratio that the people would enjoy.

VKS Group through its subsidiary, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company has demonstrated the power of daring. It is stomping where angels once feared to tread. Now that Jubilee Syringe has led the way, it is a clarion call to other foreign investors that Nigeria still beckons as the biggest and most viable market in Africa. But Akwa Ibom stands out in bold uniqueness as the most peaceful. As Kumral himself noted: “the state is the safest in the country in terms of security”.

It is common knowledge that no investor would like to invest in an unsafe environment. And so welcome to a state headed by a visionary governor who understands the fundamentals, dynamics and benefits of foreign investments and is willing to encourage more investors. But most importantly welcome to where your investments would be secured and protected.
The 12 Nigerians who were sent to Istanbul, Turkey for training were full of praises for the Headship of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, as they pour out their excitement while responding to questions from newsmen.

For Ekerette Daniel: “The training we have been exposed to in far away Turkey is one training that has changed our life forever. Throughout my life until when we were sent for this training in Istanbul, I have never come across Injection Mouding machine. But while in Turkey, I did not only see the machine, I was trained on how to operate it. With this knowledge, I am ready and good to go when the company begins by August”
Otobong Emmanuel noted: “The knowledge we have acquired as a result of the training we had in Turkey will be transferred to other Nigerians so as to add value to the country, especially in the quest for the country becoming an industrialized nation. We have learnt so much. The company, Jubilee Syringe has added value to our lives.”
On his part, Imeobong Cyprian had this to say: “It was a wonderful experience seeing and knowing how to operate Injection Moulding Machine. We were divided into 3 groups and trained differently. Some had training on Quality Control, others in Maintenance of Moulds while some other in the operation of Injection Moulding. Like I said, I was trained on Injection Moulding. With this experience, we are very ready to start full production of syringes in Nigeria. We will be having other experts coming time to time to polish our skills on what we have already learnt. I want to thank the Chairman of Jubilee Syringe, Mr. Onur Kumral for this opportunity and also investing in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that on the 14th of April, 2017, 12 Nigerians including 11 male and a female departed Nigeria for Istanbul, Turkey, for training sponsored by Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, and returned to the country on the 2nd of May 2017, for the purpose of acquiring advance training on Injection Moulding Machine, Maintenance of Moulds and Quality Control. Jubilee Syringe is billed to commence full production by August, 2017.