Company Profile

THE COMPANY IN CONTEXT

Oscar Francois Limited is based in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Situated at the southernmost tip of the Caribbean archipelago, just north east of Venezuela, the country posses a stable political system and reserves of oil and natural gas. Trinidad and Tobago enjoyed a period of booming growth in the seventies, which has developed into a stable pattern of steady growth.

These resources have made possible a high degree of education and sophistication, clearly demonstrated by the population's patterns of purchasing. The Trinidad and Tobago market is as diverse as its people, with an emphasis on products exhibiting international quality.

Oscar Francois Limited has had almost a half-century of experience providing service and value to this complex but rewarding market.

· Using the best sales representatives to promote its products
· Providing fast, responsive service to outlets
· Ensuring distribution accuracy
· Providing personalized brand management
· Maximizing sales opportunities

The implementation of these strategies is typically dynamic and fast paced. The Company makes decisions quickly and divides responsibilities to ensure that Divisions implement appropriate strategies with a minimum of delay. This clarity of focus is supported by a strong wide area network information base.

The organization consists of two co-ordinated companies. Oscar Francois Limited, which handles marketing, sales, warehousing and direct national distribution and Intersol Limited, a company organized under the aegis of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which permits duty-free importation of raw and packaging materials as well as machinery. Intersol Limited is a licensed manufacturer of international brand name products and an exporter of its own brands to Caribbean countries.

THE GROWTH OF THE COMPANY

Oscar H. Francois began his company in 1958 after a long career as a self-motivated sales manager. As early as 1947, he had begun his work with Prescription pharmaceuticals, and this was his logical choice for the formation of a small distribution company to supply a range of American, Canadian and European Prescription pharmaceuticals to pharmacies in Trinidad and Tobago.

At that time, many of the large trading companies in Trinidad and Tobago were focused more on indent business than on the import, promotion and distribution of Prescription Pharmaceuticals. The company's focus during the first three years was aggressive promotion and distribution of its pharmaceutical lines.

In 1961, the company expanded into the distribution of personal care products with the Faberge line of men's and women's fragrances, hair dyes, shampoos, conditioners and deodorants in Trinidad and Tobago. Today the expanded Consumer Division markets a wide range of International and local brands.

Also in that year Intersol Limited, a sister company, began local manufacturing of Oscar Francois Limited's line of personal care products, and distribution of the Faberge line was expanded to other Caribbean islands, including Belize, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

The Veterinary Division was formalized in 1965, distributing animal-specific pharmaceuticals to the poultry and swine industries as well as supplies of selected vitamins and wormers to the horse-racing enthusiast. Today, the expanded Agricultural and Environmental Health Division offers animal health products to the end user (farms) and agro-shops as well as environmental health products from AVENTIS and crop protection products from VAPCO and AVENTIS.

A professional department within the personal care products division was formed in 1985 to provide the country's hairstylists and cosmetologists with professional ethnic hair products for the beauty industry.

The Company diversified its operations in 1991 with the creation of a Security Division representing Mul-T-Lock, an Israeli Company. Oscar Francois Limited has successfully marketed a range of security products from this Company, which feature high security locks and bullet-protected doors for the protection of motor vehicles, commercial and private premises.

The network of Mul-T-Lock Dealers nationwide offers the consumer easy and convenient access to our products and superior support.