The original company, Anguilla Office Products, has now become Comp. Nations Anguilla Office Products and has taken up accommodation in the building in the Farrington previously used as a household store, ABC Supplies.

Claude Smith, Managing Director of Comp. Nations Anguilla Office Products, whose partners and suppliers are in Tennessee, said there was a need for more space for the expansion of the business and the opportunity was taken to co-own the premises and offer a full retail store.

Entrance to office building

The company, which is continuing to provide the usual technical services to customers as well as printing and graphic design, sells and services computers and other information technology and electronic equipment for homes and businesses. Mr. Smith gave a comprehensive account of the many items available at the business. “We have a wide range of electronics ranging from batteries to plasma television sets,” he said.” We carry projector screens, gaming items for children …stationery and other products. In business machines we carry from a two-page per minute printer to a 105-page per minute multi-function machine including copier, scanner, fax and e-fax. We not only service what we sell but we service any business equipment.”

Mr. Smith said his company saw the need for the expanded business and had addressed it. “Our prices are comparative and in most cases, factoring in freight and duties, the prices we offer are better than in St. Maarten.”

A section of the business supply area

Asked about the future plans of the company, Smith said: “One of the primary objectives is to use Anguilla as a supply hub. We have the space here and will be putting in a 6,000-square-foot warehouse for most of our products, and we intend to open other retail stores in various Caribbean islands and make transshipments there.” Still available for rent are 300-square-foot and 800-square-foot spaces, the other rooms having been already taken.

Mr. Smith went on: “The building is owned by AXA Real Estate and one of its goals is to develop this property as a business centre; and we expect to expand sideways with another 6,000-square-foot building and go up three floors. This will provide adequate space to have a shopping mall or big business centre.”
He noted that Anguilla has “a steady economic growth which is an encouragement for anyone in business to pursue higher goals and there is certainly a need for this kind of business. Technology is ever changing and we have to roll with the punches so to speak.”

Asked what he would say to the public, Mr. Smith replied: “We are here to serve you. We have been serving you in a smaller way before. Thanks for supporting us. Please continue to do so because our dream cannot be realised without our customers. In a nutshell, you need us and we need you.”

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