Minister Furbert On Bermuda Paper Company
[Updated] The Government will work with the Bermuda Paper Company to make them a preferred vendor, Minister for the Cabinet Office Wayne Furbert said today, saying that it is a “locally owned small business” and “their price points are substantially lower than comparable name brands.”
Minister Furbert said, “Just over one month ago I announced the Government is focused on ensuring its purchasing power is used to support and uplift small business owners, people who did not ‘fit in with the right people’, and anyone who previously felt that the Public Purse was not for them and their business.
“Our principle has been cemented in the Government’s Code of Conduct for Procurement that states: ‘The Government aims to use its purchasing power to promote equality of opportunity without regard to physical ability, gender, or race.’
Minister Furbert and Bermuda Paper Company co-owners Mr. Cain Kunze and Mr. Gregory Armstrong
“While the Government is willing and able to use its financial might to level the playing field in business and commerce, we can only do that if we know the businesses that are out there, their owners, and their operations.
“In the spirit of helping to sustain and empower our local businesses, I want to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on these special entrepreneurs and their business. We were very impressed when these two young men, Bermudian entrepreneurs, reached out to the Government to advise us of what they do, and to offer their products and services.
“The Bermuda Paper Company Ltd. is Bermuda’s first paper manufacturing business. It is a locally owned small business that is committed to serving the Bermudian market, and to providing job and training opportunities for Bermudians. And so I am thrilled to be joined by the Company’s pioneering co-founders Mr. Cain Kunze and Mr. Gregory Armstrong.
“The Bermuda Paper Company’s price points are substantially lower than comparable name brands, and with the product being made right here in Bermuda, customers do not have to deal with the tedious logistics and costly shipping process.
“The Company produces toilet tissue, hand towels, and other paper products for both residential and commercial use. And their products are low-cost, high-quality alternatives to imported paper products
“In the long term, the Company hopes to offer a full line of paper products, including hand towels, table napkins, hospital bed-lining paper, printing and writing paper, and disposable paper food containers.
“Accordingly, I am advising that the Government will work with the Bermuda Paper Company to make them a preferred vendor so that they can create jobs in Bermuda while supplying products to Government Ministries, Departments, and Quangos.”
“Currently, the Company employs four full-time Bermudians, and over the next 6 –12 months as the Company expands its product lines, they will hire more Bermudians to fill various roles at the factory.
“I would like to use this opportunity to encourage residents and businesses to consider supporting the Bermuda Paper Company. These are young men of ability and promise who are committed to Bermuda and Bermudians. They have put their time, money, and effort behind their visions, and they are examples of the kind of entrepreneurship that Bermuda needs now and in the future.
“This Government is committed to highlighting and supporting Bermudian owned small businesses and we will continue to do our part to ensure fairness and equality across the board for local businesses. Thank You.”
Note: The text was amended at 5.50pm.
Update Aug 28, 9.17am: An OBA spokesperson said, “Mr Furbert is politricking. He is talking to this company but wants to make it sound more official because we are in an election.
“If the Minister is serious about helping, he can talk to the Premier and ask him not to impose more taxes like the dividend tax which hurt small Bermudian businesses.
“He can also ask the Premier about his plans to grow the population to help grow the economy – because that is what businesses like this really need.
“In 2017, the Premier Burt said in an interview, ‘we will grow this economy and the way we will grow this economy is by having more people living and working in Bermuda’.
“Mr Furbert, ask the Premier what has become of this three-year-old pledge because that is what will really sustain firms like the Bermuda Paper Company.”
Smart move guys. Where is the factory? All the best in your endeavors.
But I have to agree with others this is electioneering by Mr. Furbert and the PLP under the guise of a Government initiative. I really dislike BDA during election time. it becomes so hateful, fake and over produced. But hey, what can you do? Gotta love democracy I guess.
Since the election was called, Parliament has been dissolved. How can a Minister, whose position doesn’t exist, enter into Government contracts? Sounds like cash for votes.
I agree
Who thought furbert talking about toilet paper was a good idea?
With the amount of cr## that comes out of Furbery’s mouth that company should be set.
Oh look the UBP has reformed
So Wayne is saying that toilet paper is made in Bermuder? That is a great business model considering how much (you know what) is going on. Wayne please stop talking you are becoming a bigger mess than any roll of toilet paper could clean up. That factory must be in the West end. Voters please, please, please don’t hand us another 5 years of this S@!t!. The first photo just sums it all up.
Sorry. I’m more than a bit skeptical. Where is the factory that makes toilet paper, hand towel, etc. They
are making, wrapping paper product on island with only 4 staff?
now there is a fit a frequent user / flip flop and his product of choice. But well done to the 2 savy businessmen.
Wait- what? We are now having press conferences for every item this government (that has been disolved) buys? Wow! Why is a contract necessary? Every time a ministry or department has to buy something – ANYTHING over $999 they have to get three quotes? He/She who provides the best price wins? I’m all for supporting these young locals, and Im sure the cabinet uses much more toilet paper than other ministries so I’m sure we are talking millions in savings here. I also appreciate the need to make this a priority as Im sure you are all using so much more TP now that employees are working from home, (wink wink). Or are uyou thinking ahead now that a election has been called and politicians will be talking more”#@!*” than ever. C’mon Furbert this whole deal stinks of politics!
Im all for buying Bermudian, but I notice he says locally owned so does that mean the owners are local but NOT necessarily Bermudian? I dont know, Im just asking the question. Someone please clarify. We should support young entrepreneurs, but not at the expensive of others that are trading fairly as well. Arent all the local vendors / suppliers for toilet local AND also Bermudian? Who owns, BGA, Was the cabinet buying from overseas? Im pretty sure not! Since the minister felt it necessary to hold a press conference and claim that there were SUBSTANTIAL savings I think that in the interest of transparency he should state:
a) what other local vendors were asked to quote?
b) are we coparing apple to apples meaning are we compaing 1-ply , 2-ply etc…against the same?
c) did he compare price per roll only or did he factor in the length or all rolls and compare price per sheet?
d) and finally in your last three years …IS THIS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISMENT! I MEAN REALLY, IS THIS WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE PAID TO DO!
If they are substantially lower…show us, dont just tell us. I will buy from them too! But Furbert dont insult us, we are not as stupid we might think. Perhaps you and a few other “career politicians” need to retire, and the cabinet might not need as much toilet paper!
For those of you that think that im bitter or an OBA fan, I tell you NO . I am not a fan of career politicians especially one that led me and two family members into YTB travel! I dont forget
???Where is the RFP for all to offer best pricing vs a perceived backhanded deal?? How do we know that this is the best price. Have been told it does not hold up well to Charmin so the outcome might not be good.
Parliament has been dissolved. What is going on? This is outrageous.
A toilet paper factory hiring real born Bermudians? Well do it to me slowly. Bda if you buy into this I have some bridges to sell you. WF has come out with some doozies but this embarrasses us all.
Where is this paper sold?
What is the $/sqft?
He is not currently a minister. Grandstanding.
As a former leader of the UBP, who better to speak for the PLP?
First step towards independence, make sure we can have own s*it tickets….
The company is in town. Had opened just before the pandemic, and is a quality product for a great price. Products that are made here, by Bermudians, for Bermudians. And people talking $hit about a product they haven’t checked out for themselves. Do your OWN homework people.
Thank goodness you cleared that up!
Keep sipping the Koolaid Jevon. If there was a paper manufacturing plant on island you lot would be protesting cause they usually stink! Just like Furby’s speech.
I’ll leave the politics out of this and address it purely from a consumer POV.
You’re better off buying your favourite brand on 5% off day.
I was given a roll to ‘evaluate’ right after it came out and the first thing that hit me was the much larger than usual cardboard core. That in itself equals much less paper. To over come that factor alone the price should be significantly less than similarly packaged brands , not something ridiculous like 5c less .
I won’t go into the rest. Unfortunately another wasted opportunity where a local company could truly produce a better product at a much better price and they failed. It’s all smoke and mirrors .
wow. just wow. they just flaunt their issues in our faces don’t they? I mean if they have gotten to the point where no one told them this was a bad idea (ie illegal and a breach of how many duties I cant say), then we are truly lost. Reminds me of Trump with his Goya cans. They are a labour party? what about the other Bermudian companies they don’t like? they don’t get promoted by the government using tax payers money during an election season? smh when will we rise up and stop this absolute nonsense?