United Africa Company of Nigeria

The United Africa Company of Nigeria is a Nigerian publicly listed company based in Lagos. Its areas of operation include manufacturing, services, logistics and warehousing, agricultural and real estate. UACN's food operations include UAC Franchising, UAC Restaurants and UAC Dairies. It also has equity stake in UACN Property Development Company, a quoted firm, CAP Plc, makers of Dulux paints and Portland Paints, manufacturers of Sandtex paints.

A former chairman of the board was Senator Udoma U.Udoma when Mr Larry Ettah was serving as Group Managing Director and CEO in 2010.[1]

History

UAC Nigeria also known as UACN was first incorporated in Nigeria under the name Nigerian Motors Ltd on April 22, 1931 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Africa Company Ltd, the firm that later became UAC International (UACI). UAC International, a subsidiary of Unilever, included in its business, the trading activities formerly carried on by a number of other companies including The Niger Company Ltd. and the African and Eastern Trade Corporation Ltd, all of which had long-standing trading links with West Africa.

Produce buying and merchandise trade period

Historical divisions

From 1973 onwards, UACN managed many of the Nigerian assets of its parent company. At a point in time, the company managed 22 divisions and subsidiaries.

Kingsway stores

Kingsway Stores was a department store headquartered in Lagos and managed by the firm. It was the first modern departmental store established in British West Africa.[2] The first Kingsway store was opened in Lagos in 1948 and by 1982, the firm had 13 stores across major cities in the country including a three-storey store at Ibadan. The stores initially provided access to consumer goods found in departmental stores of foreign countries, but over time, majority of its SKUs were procured in Nigeria. Towards the end of the 1980s, price and currency regulations and a downturn in the economy forced the closure of many stores and eventually the closure of Kingsway Stores.[3]

Textiles

UAC's textile division was one of the largest textile distributors in Nigeria. The division was formed as combination of the textile businesses of UAC and G.B Ollivant. At its height the company designed and distributed wax prints.[3]

A.J. Seward

A.J. Seward was a manufacturer of personal care products that was majority owned by UAC International, the firm was formally introduced to Nigeria in 1968. Prior to the incorporation of A.J. Seward in Nigeria, UAC's department of drugs and personal care handled the importation of Seward's products. The department was later merged with a newly formed A.J. Seward Nigeria limited. The firm began operations marketing importing toiletries before establishing a personal and hair care factory at Zaria and later at Oregun, Lagos. In 1980, the company's main warehouse was opened in Oregun, Lagos. Many of the firm's products became popular such as Pears baby care products, Nku, Lotus, Jellen, Fresh and Shield.[4]

Tractor and Equipment

T and E or Tractor and Equipment handled the franchise to sell Caterpillar trucks in Nigeria. UAC's relationships with CAT officially began in 1950. Mining of tin in Jos had created a market for mining equipment which prodded the firm to begin selling mining machinery in the country. The firm's product also included CAT's agricultural, infrastructure maintenance and marine engineering products. The firm also sold Braithwaite steel tanks and storage products.[3]

Foods division

UAC International established a consumer food trading arm in 1958 called West African Cold Storage. The firm later merged with Wall's Company. In 1973, the company was collapsed into UACN to become its Food division. The division markets meat related products and cold storage of food and meat products.[4]

African Timber and Plywood

The firm operated African Timber and Plywood from Sapele in Delta State. The facility was an expansion of an old saw mill originally managed by Miller Bros out of Koko, Delta State. The firm transferred the old saw mill at Koko to Sapele in 1929. Between 1945 and 1951, additional investments were poured into the facility. A plywood mill was commissioned in 1948 and the old mill was replaced in 1951. Major sources of wood were Iroko and Mahogany trees with one species known as Sapele mahogany.[3] Initially the products of the mills were mostly for foreign markets but an expanding local market caused an inwards focus to generate sales. The products of the firm included cresta branded plywood, ATAPEX particle board, flushed doors and furniture.[4]

Federated motors

Federated Motors assembled Bedford trucks from completely knocked down parts. UAC international's involvement in the motor trade dates back to its early years when it imported Bedford trucks into the country. The firm later imported partially assembled chassis and cabs before assembling knocked down parts. The firm's factory at Apapa churned out trucks with payloads between 1 and 8 tonnes. The firm also sold Bedford buses including its BF model used by commercial transport companies.[4]

hq location city	Lagos
hq location country	Nigeria
type	Public
former name	Nigerian Motors Ltd (1931-1943) United Africa Company Ltd (1943-1955)
founded	1931
parent	United Africa Company Ltd

United Africa Company of Nigeria

History

Produce buying and merchandise trade period

Restructuring period

Historical divisions

Kingsway stores

Textiles

A.J. Seward

Tractor and Equipment

Foods division

African Timber and Plywood

Federated motors

Operations

Products

See also

External links

References