Hard work, perseverance and faith in God seems to be the formula for local business, Samoa Stationery and Books Limited in achieving new milestones.

This time around SSAB, a business operation from a tiny Pacific nation managed to beat bigger companies from Australia and New Zealand to win the Kyocera Outstanding Achievement Award 2024 at the Sheraton Sydney, Hyde Park, Australia.

According to Chief Executive Officer, Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai it is also about continually upskilling staff so they can produce the best results for customers.

“The achievement is a testament to SSAB’s dedication to taking care of its customers, especially with the aftersales support that the company provides in servicing and maintaining Kyocera copiers and printers in Samoa,” she said.

“SSAB won because of God’s favor upon the company, the unity within our SSAB Family and lastly our Customers’ loyalty and support.”

Tofilau knows too well the importance of having a skilled workforce.

SSAB funded a trip for four of its copier technicians so they can get updated training on new Kyocera hardware and software introduced to the market.

Tofilau believes in investing in her technicians so the company can better assist its customers and users of the Kyocera Copiers and Printers.

“We believe that this is a win for Samoa especially SSAB being a Samoan-owned company,” Tofilau said.

“There was also an opportunity for SSAB to promote Samoa to Partners of Kyocera that attended the conference. Because of this two of Kyocera business partners had confirmed their visit with families to Samoa around Teuila time.”

SSAB’s success story is known by many. What started as a small bookshop is now one of the biggest employers in the country.

Tofilau believes that a company is successful because its staff are well looked after. During the COVID-19 pandemic, none of SSAB’s staff lost their job.