Adaptation Grant helps ADS Quality Furniture in the Solomon Islands Move Forward
It’s all systems go for ADS Quality Furniture in the Solomon Islands. With a new mill being delivered any day now, the team at ADS will no longer be waiting for expensive supplies to be delivered but will be milling and preparing their own timber to be crafted into all kinds of furniture.
The new Lucas Mill – a portable sawmill – was purchased using funds from a Business Link Pacific Adaptation Grant, designed to enable businesses to change and evolve depending on market conditions. The pandemic brought about just such a need for ADS Quality Furniture. The price of raw materials soared meaning the sale price to customers had to be increased to absorb that extra cost, and so business was lost.
Owners, James and Ange, decided to do it all themselves. They are not just cutting out the supplier of timber for furniture manufacturing, they will now mill local hardwood timber – rosewood, kwila, vitex and akwa – for supply to the construction industry, creating a whole new line of business for ADS.
This long-established small business was set up 30 years ago “by grannies” to manufacture furniture from locally grown hardwood. Their customer base is broad, encompassing commercial furniture, household items, school and hospital supplies, and tables for local markets. The new mill is set to change the course of business entirely, opening up new markets and opportunities.
One such opportunity for ADS is the South Pacific Games being held in the Solomon Islands in November 2023.
We have received small projects from the Games organising committee already and expect more in the next few months. When the mill arrives, we can stockpile timber ready to turn into whatever is required for the Games,” says James. “We have a good preparation plan established so there will be no delay in supply.”
The Games philosophy is to source goods locally, so local business ADS will manufacture furniture for visitor accommodation.
We will – literally – be making their beds,” James laughs. They will also be making their tables and chairs, and any other furniture required.
First hearing about the Adaptation Grant from the local Chamber of Commerce, and again seeing it on Facebook, James states the application process was straightforward and easy to follow.
Having received the grant, ADS has been able to secure additional funding from the Development Bank of Solomon Islands.
If BLP hadn’t assisted, we would find it very hard to get a loan, so this really sped up the process to get funding.”
We are so thankful for the grant from BLP. It came just when we needed it most and will really help our business to continue in operation, despite the pandemic. We now have a solid plan for the future and can keep going. My advice for other small businesses is to apply when you see the grant advertised. BLP is a very good partner to work with. They are fast and efficient and have excellent advisors who will help with the application process and with planning.”
Organisational skills have been improved with the advice from BLP, as has future planning. ADS is clearly a good little business building a very bright future, one bed at a time.
The Finance Facility enables access to capital for stabilisation, recovery and growth of viable but financially distressed businesses in the Pacific Islands due to the impact of COVID-19 on the regional economy.
The Facility opened applications to Business Adaptation Grants across eight Pacific Island countries in January and June 2021. Adaptation Grants have benefitted over 200 businesses to date, and Business Link Pacific is currently processing a similar number of grants to be disbursed before the end of the year.
To further support recovery and growth, Business Link Pacific is negotiating key partnerships with Financial Institutions to offer concessionary lending to small businesses in the region and will soon make information available on accessing those products. The Finance Facility also offers curated information about financial products for businesses on its free online tool, the Finance Finder; visit today to find out what is available to your business right now.