EVOLVE AND ADAPT, CITY OFFICE’S CEO SHARES HIS BRAND’S SUCCESS STORY IN CAPE TOWN

For over 30 years, City Office has established itself as a leading producer of quality corporate and scholastic furniture, while also manufacturing state-of-the-art seating solutions and hospital beds. City Office, who’ve recently moved to the Mother City, produce 6,000 chairs and 2,500 desks weekly for local and international markets.

CEO, George Dos Ramos shared his views on how the rising economic growth and job creation possibilities in the Cape is what captivated his company into opening a factory in Cape Town. Unlike most companies, they were able to turn the Covid-19 crisis into a successful business opportunity and they continue to evolve as a company by always embracing change.

Tell us a bit more about your business and what it offers?

We are a 95% local manufacturer of office chairs, office furniture and school furniture. Produced to meet the highest international standards, we boast an extensive product offering that ranges from economic to executive options. With a 17 000m² factory, we’ve adapted our state-of-the-art facility with the ability to also produce simple, durable, and cost-effective hospital beds in  response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

What important role does your company play in Cape Town, and abroad?

Not only do we supply to the local markets we also distribute throughout South Africa and to other neighbouring countries as well. We’ve employed and trained our staff of over 300 employees to ensure we produce the best, South African-made office chairs, furniture and school furniture – as well as hospital beds – are supplied to our customers.

When considering Cape Town, what factors made you choose to start here?

With our main factory being situated in Johannesburg, we first started with a warehouse in Cape Town. After seeing its success, we then decided to start manufacturing some products in the Cape Town factory. The plant has surpassed our expectations in the new environment and it’s becoming more and more independent as a manufacturing plant.

What do you enjoy most about operating your business in Cape Town?

The city of Cape Town is a fast-growing economy with limitless opportunities for businesses. We wanted to be part of that growth as a company. We’re constantly looking to expand our network by finding lucrative opportunities that can take our company to the next level and moving to Cape Town has given us exactly that.

What successes have you had since starting your business in Cape Town? 

We’re extremely excited about the results we received. In our brief time in the Cape, we’ve found a lot of success which is amazing but we’re most proud of the fact that we’re able to create jobs for our staff in the city.

What challenges, if any, have you experienced in setting up your business?

The biggest challenge we faced was when we first started. The logistics of moving from JHB to Cape Town was a bit difficult but with time and familiarity, we believe that will be a problem of the past.

What challenges, have you experienced during the Covid19 pandemic, and in what ways are you planning to help alleviate those challenges?

Like most businesses we were faced with a lot of challenges due to the pandemic. However, we saw an opportunity to utilise our factory to manufacture hospital beds. The decision has been a successful one with our plant manufacturing over 5,500 affordable beds for our country.

How has your business plan changed in response to Covid-19?

I don’t believe we have a magic wand. As a business, we are just adapting to the changes that are happening and have learnt to embrace those changes. We believe that if there are challenges there are always opportunities that arise.

What health and safety protocols has your business put in place for customers and staff?

We have put numerous health and safety protocols in place for Covid and now my staff and customers are well organised with all the Covid regulations. They are also screened daily for temperature and any signs of Covid symptoms.

What have you got planned for the future of your business?

Like we’ve always done in the past, we’re going to trust in our ability to evolve well with all the changes that are happening.