Leading office stationery supplier TOWER, acquired local business Sandart on 1 April 2021 in a strategic move to diversify their home product portfolio and take a local niche product to all four corners of the globe.
“TOWER is a proudly South African manufacturer, passionate about creating jobs, growing the South African economy, and making a positive impact on the community,” says TOWER CEO Stephen Beattie.
Together, TOWER and Sandart are on a mission to prove that a quality strong South African brand can compete internationally and become a global leader in its industry. “We are focused on creating products that meet consumers changing needs. With its focus on high quality products and dedication to fun and creativity, Sandart brings a fresh arm to the TOWER collection and TOWER is excited to have the opportunity to develop and nurture a business of Sandart’s calibre,” says Beattie.
Beattie explains how TOWER plans to leverage their strong network to position the Sandart brand name as a leading product in the evolving niche children’s entertainment market: “We hope to take the Sandart story to more consumers around the world through expanding the brand’s main current channel of independent distributors which promote the products at craft markets and kids parties, throughout Southern Africa and in the UK, Dubai and some European and South American countries, as well as distribute the brand alongside TOWER through retailers, a new channel for the brand, both locally and abroad.”
The opportunity to take the brand internationally has never been more pertinent. With the constant threat of lockdowns still hovering over many homes and schools across the world, Sandart is the ideal product to keep children entertained in a fun and educational way, especially when restricted to their homes.
Established in George in 2002, Sandart is an authentic product created from scratch as a family run business. The founders successfully launched several dynamic sticky art designs in their first year and have continued to grow the product since. “We are extremely excited about this partnership. It will only be positive for all of us with immense opportunities and new product offerings in future,” says Sandart MD Henry Joubert.
TOWER hopes that their partnership with Sandart will position leading locally crafted South African products as global competitors in the minds of international consumers and educational institutions alike.