Samoa’s largest wholesaler just got a whole lot bigger and brighter with the opening of a $10 million tālā premises and rebranding.
Samoa Observer reports Ah Liki Wholesale on Monday moved into new modern premises covering close to four acres at the Samoa Industrial Area in Vaitele more than 12 months since construction started in September 2020 due mainly to global shipping delays.
Managing Director Taimalie Charlie Ah Liki said the move was calculated and is located strategically for effective product distribution.
Taimalie said he started with farming and exporting produce and canned coconut cream but two cyclones in the 90s wiped out farms so he needed to diversify and made the move to the wholesale business.
And the business has expanded over 30 years with two wholesale outlets on Upolu island and one in Savaii, the Farmer Joe chain of retail stores, the Burger Bills fast food chain, Apia Breweries Company and they still export fresh agricultural produce and canned cococnut cream.
Staff is an important part of Taimalie’s business growth.
He said a lot of people were involved from when the company started, “a lot of helpers, staff that have been involved with me in farming and exporting.”
“We have come this far because of the effort everyone that has been part of Ah Liki or work for Ah Liki, everyone that played a role the last 30 years or even the last five years [or just] putting the effort to continue coming into work every day.
Photos: Samoa Observer
