JKOA awards Samsung Experience Store franchise to Papyrus

Tuesday, 28 January 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

John Keells Office Automation (JKOA), the Authorised National Distributor in Sri Lanka for Samsung mobile phones, has awarded a franchise to Papyrus Papers Ltd., to set up and operate a chain of ‘Samsung Experience Stores’ in the country. The Samsung Experience Store is an exclusive, custom-designed retail outlet for sales of and after-sales support for Samsung mobile phones, intended to be a place where people can share, play and learn through the latest technology releases from Samsung. The appointment of Papyrus Papers as a franchisee marks a significant diversification for the country’s leading supplier of fine papers for printing, corporate stationery and Digital Quick Print services, the company’s Chairman/CEO Ashan Abeyesundere said.

“We are delighted to join hands with a company of the calibre of John Keells Office Automation to promote one of the world’s iconic mobile phone brands,” Abeyesundere said. “While this signifies a new sector of business for us, we will bring to bear our decade of passion, expertise and experience in securing market leadership for the global paper brands we represent, to further enhance the standing of Samsung in Sri Lanka.” He said Papyrus Papers intends to open a chain ofSamsung Experience Store outlets island-wide within the next 18 months. John Keells Group Executive Vice President/Head of IT Sector Sujiva Dewaraja, said: “Papyrus Papers and the company’s management have a proven track record of representing international brands and of service excellence. We are confident that the Samsung Experience Store franchise is in good hands.” The sole agent in Sri Lanka for the European heritage fine paper brand Conqueror since the company’s inception in 2002, Papyrus Papers now carries more than 300 stock keeping units (SKUs) in the paper category, representing its flagship brand Conqueror, 13 other fine paper brands from Antalis/Arjo Wiggins, the company that owns the Conqueror brand, and products from seven other suppliers. The company has built strong links in Sri Lanka with users of fine paper such as designers, production agencies, end-user corporates and printers. Established in August 1992, John Keells Office Automation Ltd. is a subsidiary within the Information Technology sector of John Keells Holdings PLC, one of the most respected conglomerates in Sri Lanka. JKOA is the leader in office automation solutions, comprising a product portfolio of world-renowned brands.