Governor General Glasspole hailed the merger of The Gleaner Company and Sangster's Bookstores and wished the companies great success. Mr Sangster said the reason for the acquisition was to further develop Jamaica.

Published November 15, 1984

GG hails Sangster’s Bookstores as an inspiration to Jamaica

The success story of Sangster’s Bookstores Ltd was described yesterday as an inspiration to the rest of Jamaica, and its founder, Ferdinand Sangster, was commended for skilful manipulation and good management which had made the company “one of the biggest success stories in Jamaica’s national life”.

The tributes to Sangster’s Bookstores and its founder came from the Governor General, the Most Hon Sir Florizel Glasspole, at the company’s awards luncheon held at the Oceana Hotel yesterday.

Sir Florizel, declaring that he knew the story personally, recounted the development of the business, pointing out that, despite difficulties, the founder and his wife preserved “till the tide started turning and there began one of the biggest success stories that can be told in Jamaica national life”. The governor general said that he doubted that in today’s financial and commercial climate anyone could hope to achieve what Sangster’s had done.

Mr Sangster's drive, good management, skilful manipulation and imagination left him with a record of performance that he had every right to be proud of. He had served the company for 46 years.

The governor general, in speaking of the high cost of books, commended the Book Drive Foundation of Jamaica on its efforts to provide low-priced books for children. Prices had soared so high that such an organisation had to be established in Kingston to provide parents and guardians with such a service.

Sir Florizel noted the acquisition of Sangster’s Bookstores by The Gleaner Company with Sangster’s still retaining a position in the company, and expressed his wishes for success.

“I pray that this new combination in your company achieves even greater growth and prosperity, remembering always that a good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.”

He urged the long service awardees not to relax but to continue by their qualities to give leadership and inspiration to their fellow workers so that they might follow their footsteps to greater heights of achievement. He hoped the workers would regard the recognition as an inspiration for even greater attainments in the future. Long service, he told the workers, was an indication of continued devotion to duty “through thick and thin” and was symbolic of loyalty and dedication. It demonstrated a stability in the mind of the worker and a willingness to accept the rewards of his ability.

Sangster expressed gratitude to Sir Forizel for his tribute and to all those who had contributed in the development of the company. He expressed hope that with the merger with The Gleaner Company, Sangster’s Bookstores would continue to grow and play its role in the country’s development.

Thirty-two persons received awards for outstanding and dedicated service, ranging from 10 to 46 years, with special awards for improvement and cooperation going to nine workers. Those giving service from 20 to 30 years were also given special awards.

Sir Florizel was presented with a wall clock by Mr Sangster, for his outstanding service to the company and Jamaica.

Sangster received his award for 46 years service and a special one from the workers for his contribution to the company. The 20 to 24 year award went to Rita Anderson while those for 25 to 30 years went to Beatrice Dawson, Sydney Greaves and Melrose Johnson.

Awards for most improved worker went to Faolyn Beckford, Victoria Edwards, Jacqueline Paul, Rupert Downer and Cynthia Clarke, Hyacinth Nixon, Victoria Edwards, Jacqueline Paul, Owen Preston, Carmen Mitchell and Vinnette Walters received awards for being most cooperative.

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