Hyacinth turns a Yogyakartan into millionaire
Hyacinth turns a Yogyakartan into millionaire
By Kartika Bagus C.
YOGYAKARTA (JP): If you think that water hyacinths are
useless, you are dead wrong. Baruna, a 40-year-old Yogyakartan
has become a millionaire thanks to his use of the plant.
Unlike most people, Baruna doesn't treat hyacinths like
rubbish simply because they cause siltation in lakes, reservoirs
and swamps.
No, he makes them into fashionable sandals instead.
The venture has become a highly profitable business that earns
him a lot of money.
He exports the products to a number of countries. His mansion
at Gowok area is much envied by those in the neighborhood.
The idea for his business came after Baruna grew increasingly
annoyed with the poor quality of hyacinth sandals. Something told
him he could make fashionable footwear from the same materials,
so he started the business.
"My starting capital was enough for me to make 100 pairs of
sandals costing Rp 25,000 per pair," he said in his two-storey
house which also serves as a showroom.
"The biggest order came from Bali when I had only a few
artisans. The delivery was several weeks behind schedule," he
recalled.
Now with eight permanent workers, the company can make 100
pairs of sandals every day.
Baruna has also rented a house in the southern district of
Bantul.
Aside from the eight permanent workers, Baruna also employs
contract workers who earn between Rp 6,000 and Rp 8,000 a day.
They were recruited mostly from the neighborhood.
The hyacinth, the main raw material of the product, is
imported from Surabaya at Rp 4,000 per kilogram.
"Hyacinths from Surabaya are of high quality. They have long
stalks," Baruna said.
Other materials used in making the product are agel, a type of
tall grass that is spun into string.
It is bought in the western district of Kulonprogo for Rp
18,000 and Rp 22,000 per kilogram.
The production process involves simple technology. According
to Baruna, perseverance is the key to success, especially for
those doing the plaiting.
He needs about 1,000 kilograms of hyacinths a month for the
making of the sandals. For every ton of the flower about 200
kilograms of agel and pandanus leaves are required as
supplementary materials.
"The price of the rubber that we use to make the soles
fluctuates," he said.
Bali, Bandung and Jakarta are his main markets for the
products. They are also exported to France, Canada, Germany and
Hungary.
The profit margin is about 20 of the price per unit.
"It's not bad, and I am happy that I can make something people
enjoy."
His unique designs have tempted some to try and imitate them,
so he is planning to patent his product with the brand name Yog
because that's where they're made, in Yogyakarta.
The hyacinth sandals are not water resistant so they should be
worn only in dry places.
Aside from hyacinth sandals, Baruna also makes bags, dolls,
ceramics, hats and sculptures from recycled materials.
The waste-based business has turned out to be fairly
profitable. A small doll sells between Rp 15,000 and Rp 25,000.
Hyacinth sandals are a new product and are gaining in
popularity.
If it continues growing into a souvenir industry, it could
become one of Yogyakarta's specialties.