Jonglei water bottling business booming
December 9, 2012 (BOR) – Jonglei Sudd Bottling, a shared business between the state government and Join Access Kilobytes Technologies (JAK Technologies) is reported to have made over 350,000 SSDG [US$79,3000] in sales since October.
Akoi outlined his current expenses for setting up the laboratory equipment, chemicals, engine oil and salaries amounting to 313,720 SSDG [US$71,100] but anticipates running costs will soon be reduced.
“The business is going well. We have more demand from our counties now because the roads are becoming good as the dry season approaches,” said Akoi.
He said the factory currently has enough supplies to last it for two months before the next big order comes in.
Over 6 million SSDG [US$ 1.4 million] was spent establishing the factory according to Akoi. He said they had used 1.5 million SSDG [US$340,000] to build the factory housing, 4 million SSDG [US$900,000] to buy and transport machines from China, India, and 3 million SSDG [US$680,000] for clearance at the borders.
“If we move on like this we will be able to recover our money in one years time,” he said.
In September, the factory management recruited 66 male and female staff as casual laborers on “Yes or No picking” to serve on two production shifts, to achieve the production level of 80,000 bottles / 4,000 crates per day.
The management plans to introduce a third shift during the night to increase the productivity. Akoi said he would be recruiting for the new shift soon.
“The water prices have now gone done from two to one pounds in Bor [US$0.23]. We also want to do the same to soda and others,” said Akoi.
JAK Technologies set up a computer system for the Bor government during 2010-2011 to handle finances and land allotment.
The person sent by the company to work on the factory is originally from Bor.
(ST)