05/07/2018
TO OUR VALUED BANABAN CUSTOMERS
It is with great sadness that we announce that our much-loved company - Nature Pacific, the home of Banaban Virgin Coconut Oil Australia has been forced into Administration after operating for nearly 15 years. As you know we were a family company founded on our quest to assist and promote the Banaban community throughout Fiji and the Pacific. We grew our business from an online startup in our garage to a multimillion dollar company over the years. In June 2017 we took on partners that promised they would be a ‘Value Add’ and a major investment for our company. Unfortunately, we were soon to learn that our investment had changed to full financial and management control with the introduction of various Directors and Managers who had totally conflicting ideals. When it was decided to turn Banaban into a Charitable Foundation and base our company on one overpriced ‘pity product’ it was against everything we believed in and what we saw as total exploitation. We refused to let the Banaban people be used to fundraise for major investment companies.
On a brighter note, we would like to reflex on the company’s achievements and the thousands of people throughout Fiji and other Pacific Islands we have been able to assist. In Fiji alone, we were able to inject more than 17.5 million dollars to Fiji farmers and created a whole virgin coconut oil industry. We also proudly look back at all our children who have grown up working in our company and now have become very successful adults.
What we can assure all our customers is that we will continue the struggle to seek justice for the Banaban people and to right the wrongs of the past. While this chapter of our lives is closing we believe our philanthropic work with our Banaban Community is just beginning.
To all of you, our loyal customers many of whom have been with us on this amazing journey over the past 14 years, we thank you for always being there. For supporting us through thick and thin. You are the reason that Banaban coconut products became so successful. We walked through the doors of our Varsity Lakes facility last week for the last time, but the name of Banaban and all it stands for will go on well beyond any of the negatives things that are happening to us now.
On behalf of all our family and all the wonderful staff who have supported us and been part of our Banaban family over the years, Good bye and Tia kabo! Until we meet again.
Ken Sigrah & Stacey King
Founders
Banaban Virgin Coconut Oil Australia
5 July 2018
