Hobson Enterprises, which has been in operation for almost 25 years, is also the local representatives for the world’s largest courier service company, UPS; in addition to serving as the agents for Crowley, Imani, and Express Freight.
Speaking on the occasion of the commissioning of the new facilities, Managing Director of Hobson Enterprises, Mr. Damion Hobson, stated that “today is a very special day for the Hobson family, because 15th November, is also the birth date of the company’s founder, (and his father), the late Alphonso Hobson, who died on February 22nd 1992, just five years after starting the business. Tuesday would have been Mr. Hobson’s 71st birthday.
It was back in 1987 that Alphonso Hobson, started his small shipping enterprise, with only one staff member, (Anthony Browne), operating from the downstairs section of Stacy Hobson’s Architectural firm, at the Paul Southwell Industrial Park.
Then the operations were exclusively catering to clients in need of customs brokerage services and the delivery of small cargo packages. Upon the death of Alphonso Hobson, his son Damion, now the CEO convinced his mother, Mrs. Patricia Hobson, to take over and continue the family business. That decision was a demonstration of faith, trust and confidence in Damion and a gamble that today has paid off with remarkable results.
However, in 1998, Hurricane George destroyed their offices, forcing the micro enterprise to operate from the private home of the Hobson’s.
One year after, (in 1999), the company was relocated to new premises at 6B C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Park, moving from 2 employees to seven and gradually expanding operations to include, trucking, shipping agents, managing the needs of principals such as Crowley, Express Freight, Imani and in November 2010, adding UPS to the portfolio.
Hobson Enterprises which has been embraced by customers as a company that provides a “service that is second to none in the federation” now employs approximately 20 workers.
Ms. Kishma Vincent, a representative of Crowley who was in St. Kitts for the event, told MiyVue.com, in an exclusive interview, that Crowley is very happy and very fortunate to have Hobson Enterprises representing them in St. Kitts and in Nevis; and with the new building and the expansion of the services, they are anticipating that “HE” will be doing bigger and better things, and “we at Crowley hope that we will be here with them for the long run.”
Offering words of congratulation at the event was also the Minister of Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. Timothy Harris, who said he was “happy that this day had come, so that he could celebrate the success of Hobson Enterprises over several years and to mark the outstanding leadership that Damion has provided over these years.
“I believe that we do not have enough examples of family successes in St. Kitts and Nevis and of local business people,” opined Harris.
Minister Harris also went on to say “Hobson Enterprises has grown and expanded at a time when many businesses are contracting. “
He raised a toast to the success of a family working together and to the success of local entrepreneurship.
In response, Mr. Hobson thanked a number of individuals and companies whom he said made the achievement of the milestone possible. He also singled out his sister and fellow director Marissa Hobson for her support and contributin to the company. The new headquaters will also accomodate Marrisa Hobson’s Law offices
He however had special and high praises for his staff.
“Thank you to the customers for your support over the years and we look forward to providing even better service in the future and we hope that you will feel even more comfortable to come here” said the CEO.
“Nothing can be done without a team, unlike other places that call their staff workers and co-workers, I call mine a team and I think I have the best team in the world and I could not have done it without the team.”
“Today is really a special day and I want to speak about one other person before I leave who is Mrs. Patricia Hobson, because without her I don’t think anything like this would happen. She has been the best director, her support is unwavering, and her love is unconditional. In 1992 when we started she didn’t even flinch when I asked her to take over the business. She has been there to support me and the business whenever we have problems and whatever she needs to do, she gets it done and I really want to thank her”, concluded the CEO.